Hi all,
I attempted many posts while in Vermont, but alas, the cell service was rare. Here is a quick rundown of my time in VT:
-Vermont is muddy. Very muddy. And that is Pre-Hurricane
-Vermont is beautiful. Holy crap is this a lovely state. I want to live here one day for sure
-While climbing Stratton Mountain, I got walloped with an intense, isolated thunderstorm, near the peak. I learned many valuable life lessons that day. The most important - Preparation is the key to success of any kind
-The terrain, while beautiful, has included many more climbs and difficult terrain. Only a taste of what lies ahead...
-I climbed to the top of Killington Peak and then rode the Gondola down to the lodge for lunch! Pretty cool experience since I grew up skiing there. Unfortunately that lodge did not fare so well apparently during the storm...-The hurricane was a nasty one as everyone now knows. Dr P and I came up with 5 plans for the hurricane. The one we went with was staying in a barn in Woodstock, Vermont, at the home of Daniel Quinn. He has a brook in his backyard that became a flooded, raging river, rising many feet. Pretty scary, but also an awesome display of Mother Nature's power. I have some photos I must upload when I have a chance (and the internet service)
-I hate hornets. I was stung by another one yesterday and I no longer have a left ankle. Its just a large, swollen stump. Bastard bees!
-Finally - I made it to New Hampshire!! Crossed the Connecticut River and now in the same state as the White Mountains. Can't wait to make it there!!
I'll do my best to post more...its all subject to my internet service on the phone. Hope you all stayed safe during the storm.
-Mojo
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
More trail love in Adams, MA
Dr P and I waited patiently outside of the Cheshire post office. It was finally a beautiful day and we had no qualms about sitting around in the sun and shade of the new little town we had just walked into. We were waiting because my friend and former WTAS boss, Shamus was on his way out from Boston to pick us up and take us to his childhood home for the night. Shamus had made this offer to stay at the family home in Adams a while back, before I had even started the trail. At the time, I didn't want to jinx myself and say yes for sure (in fear that I might not even make it to Adams, MA)but now, here we were. Over 1500 miles in the book. We had hiked a good deal these past weeks and a little rest (on some grass no less!) while we waited felt good.
Shamus pulled up in his devilishly good looking yellow sportscar. I guess I have to eat my prior words about not getting a ride from people in nice cars. In fact, I might go as far to say that Dr Pepper and I are the only thru hikers to receive a ride in a Porsche this year.
We arrived to the McBride residence (a house that has been in the family since the 19th century) and were greeted so warmly, immediately, by Shamus' parents, Ruth and Tony. It was clear that we were welcomed guests into their home and I can't tell you just how good that makes us hikers feel, since we often time feel a burden on people.
Ruth and Tony filled us up with some DELICIOUS meat lasagna, garlic bread, and fresh veggies. Talk about carb re-fill and carbo-loadng! The food was fantastic and we were even treated with their next door neighbor coming over with some $5 trail magic! Her son hiked the trail in 1999 and she wanted to pay it forward to us, just like so many had done for her son. She clearly got "it".
After dinner, Shamus took us for a little tour around the town he grew up in. Beautiful country out in these parts. Very green and lush. We also had a great view of the next day's major challenge - climbing Mt. Greylock - which loomed over the towns below, over 3,000 feet in the air.
Our time with the McBride's was short, but definitely sweet. They welcomed us into their home and treated us like family. We feel so very lucky to have met Ruth and Tony and are eternally grateful for Shamus' help. I know I have said this before, but it bears repeating. This trail has been special to me for so many reasons, but the emerging storyline is just how kind and generous your fellow American can be. Love, love, love this trail!
Shamus pulled up in his devilishly good looking yellow sportscar. I guess I have to eat my prior words about not getting a ride from people in nice cars. In fact, I might go as far to say that Dr Pepper and I are the only thru hikers to receive a ride in a Porsche this year.
We arrived to the McBride residence (a house that has been in the family since the 19th century) and were greeted so warmly, immediately, by Shamus' parents, Ruth and Tony. It was clear that we were welcomed guests into their home and I can't tell you just how good that makes us hikers feel, since we often time feel a burden on people.
Ruth and Tony filled us up with some DELICIOUS meat lasagna, garlic bread, and fresh veggies. Talk about carb re-fill and carbo-loadng! The food was fantastic and we were even treated with their next door neighbor coming over with some $5 trail magic! Her son hiked the trail in 1999 and she wanted to pay it forward to us, just like so many had done for her son. She clearly got "it".
After dinner, Shamus took us for a little tour around the town he grew up in. Beautiful country out in these parts. Very green and lush. We also had a great view of the next day's major challenge - climbing Mt. Greylock - which loomed over the towns below, over 3,000 feet in the air.
Our time with the McBride's was short, but definitely sweet. They welcomed us into their home and treated us like family. We feel so very lucky to have met Ruth and Tony and are eternally grateful for Shamus' help. I know I have said this before, but it bears repeating. This trail has been special to me for so many reasons, but the emerging storyline is just how kind and generous your fellow American can be. Love, love, love this trail!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
The Bird Cage
"You have to go to the bird cage. You just have to."
For the past couple weeks, I have heard these words from hikers going southbound to Georgia. They all spoke so highly of this place called the bird cage that I was becoming suspicious and thought there might be a southbounder conspiracy to trick northbounders into going to some weird, creepo place. Dr p and I were wondering if we were walking into a "Hostel" situation.
"Just walk to the shell station in Dalton. The kid at the desk will see you and call Rob. He'll come and get you."
What in sam hell?! Really? Thats how we get to this place? Well, what the heck. This trail is all about new experiences. Why not?
We hiked 22 miles to get to Dalton and try this bird cage we kept hearing about. We get to the shell station and the kid pumping gas looks at us and asks "You want the bird cage?"
"Yeah" we reply.
"Hold on, I'll call rob" says the kid.
Dr pepper and I lean against the gas station window, munching on trail mix as we sorta kinda nervously wait for rob. Soon enough a van pulls up. No rob. It's Nancy.
Cigarette in hand, Nancy rolls down the mini van passenger window, smiles, and says, "hey hikers! What's your names??" Nancy gave off an immediate warmth and I could tell this was not going to be a scenario I needed to be worried about. Dr pepper and I jumped in the van and we drove off, heading to the bird cage.
On the drive over, Nancy gave us a little background about herself as well as on rob, and the bird cage. Rob has been running this little hiker helpout operation for over a decade. We arrived at the house and met Rob, an older guy with a quick smile and a friendly hand shake.
"We're just about to do a load of laundry if you want to throw your dirty clothes in" he says. "And there are some clean clothes in the other room for you to wear in the meantime. The shower is over there. Fresh towels are on the shelf."
There were about 10 other hikers hanging around as well. Some I recognized, some I didn't. Some northbound, some south. I showered up and threw my clothes in the laundry. We sat around and talked with Nancy, Rob and some of the other hikers. The atmosphere was very comfortable and felt like at home. A great feeling, especially since the last 3 days have been cold and rainy.
At 7 Rob and Nancy took a bunch of us over to the old country buffet. The hungry hikers filled up on plate after plate. Earlier I weighed in at 145 lbs, 20 below what I started at, so I put down 4 plates myself. I think dr p did the same. Afterwards we came came back to the bird cage and relaxed some more. We all watched the film, boondock saints as we digested.
There are some hikers that spent 4 or 5 days here. This place has an awesome vibe and I feel right at home. If I wasn't on a deadline, I might stay a couple days. For me, it's just the night. But I feel so fortunate to have found this place and met these wonderful people. Rob and Nancy welcomed us into their home, treated us like family, and asked for nothing in return. Their hospitality has been second to none and I can't wait to send them a postcard from atop mt katahdin. Truly a special experience with special people.
Rob and Nancy
Dr pepper, at our sleeping quarters
Bird cage!
Fellow Nobos, snags and indy
Hangin out in the kitchen
For the past couple weeks, I have heard these words from hikers going southbound to Georgia. They all spoke so highly of this place called the bird cage that I was becoming suspicious and thought there might be a southbounder conspiracy to trick northbounders into going to some weird, creepo place. Dr p and I were wondering if we were walking into a "Hostel" situation.
"Just walk to the shell station in Dalton. The kid at the desk will see you and call Rob. He'll come and get you."
What in sam hell?! Really? Thats how we get to this place? Well, what the heck. This trail is all about new experiences. Why not?
We hiked 22 miles to get to Dalton and try this bird cage we kept hearing about. We get to the shell station and the kid pumping gas looks at us and asks "You want the bird cage?"
"Yeah" we reply.
"Hold on, I'll call rob" says the kid.
Dr pepper and I lean against the gas station window, munching on trail mix as we sorta kinda nervously wait for rob. Soon enough a van pulls up. No rob. It's Nancy.
Cigarette in hand, Nancy rolls down the mini van passenger window, smiles, and says, "hey hikers! What's your names??" Nancy gave off an immediate warmth and I could tell this was not going to be a scenario I needed to be worried about. Dr pepper and I jumped in the van and we drove off, heading to the bird cage.
On the drive over, Nancy gave us a little background about herself as well as on rob, and the bird cage. Rob has been running this little hiker helpout operation for over a decade. We arrived at the house and met Rob, an older guy with a quick smile and a friendly hand shake.
"We're just about to do a load of laundry if you want to throw your dirty clothes in" he says. "And there are some clean clothes in the other room for you to wear in the meantime. The shower is over there. Fresh towels are on the shelf."
There were about 10 other hikers hanging around as well. Some I recognized, some I didn't. Some northbound, some south. I showered up and threw my clothes in the laundry. We sat around and talked with Nancy, Rob and some of the other hikers. The atmosphere was very comfortable and felt like at home. A great feeling, especially since the last 3 days have been cold and rainy.
At 7 Rob and Nancy took a bunch of us over to the old country buffet. The hungry hikers filled up on plate after plate. Earlier I weighed in at 145 lbs, 20 below what I started at, so I put down 4 plates myself. I think dr p did the same. Afterwards we came came back to the bird cage and relaxed some more. We all watched the film, boondock saints as we digested.
There are some hikers that spent 4 or 5 days here. This place has an awesome vibe and I feel right at home. If I wasn't on a deadline, I might stay a couple days. For me, it's just the night. But I feel so fortunate to have found this place and met these wonderful people. Rob and Nancy welcomed us into their home, treated us like family, and asked for nothing in return. Their hospitality has been second to none and I can't wait to send them a postcard from atop mt katahdin. Truly a special experience with special people.
Rob and Nancy
Dr pepper, at our sleeping quarters
Bird cage!
Fellow Nobos, snags and indy
Hangin out in the kitchen
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Some updates
Since leaving hybrid back in bear mtn, NY, I have been hiking with dr pepper, his German friend he met in VA. Dr p and I have been making great miles and having a blast out here. He is a funny guy and I enjoy hiking with him very much. It also helps that he is a marathon runner (26 marathons- wow!) and he can go the extra distances with me each day.
Connecticut has come and gone and we are now hiking through the Berkshires in Massachusetts. I can't believe I lived in this state for 7 years and never made my way out here. The trail is beautiful and the towns are quite nice. Picked up some pizza in great barrington the other night with dr p and fellow hikers Alex and spikey. Such a quaint little town. I'll have to remember to come back for another visit. Thanks to spikey for the coronas!
Caught a great sunrise too the other morning from the riga shelter, just before the MA-CT border. I don't particularly love waking up before 6, but I'll oblige for a sunrise. I'll post some photos I took when I have better service.
Finally, dr pepper and i successfully outran the impending storm that came barreling up the east coast today. We had resigned ourselves to getting wet but we were pleasantly surprised when we made it to the shelter before the storm hit. I write this from the comfort of the drafty, dirty shelter, but hey, we are dry! Tomorrow might be a different story though.
Night!
Connecticut has come and gone and we are now hiking through the Berkshires in Massachusetts. I can't believe I lived in this state for 7 years and never made my way out here. The trail is beautiful and the towns are quite nice. Picked up some pizza in great barrington the other night with dr p and fellow hikers Alex and spikey. Such a quaint little town. I'll have to remember to come back for another visit. Thanks to spikey for the coronas!
Caught a great sunrise too the other morning from the riga shelter, just before the MA-CT border. I don't particularly love waking up before 6, but I'll oblige for a sunrise. I'll post some photos I took when I have better service.
Finally, dr pepper and i successfully outran the impending storm that came barreling up the east coast today. We had resigned ourselves to getting wet but we were pleasantly surprised when we made it to the shelter before the storm hit. I write this from the comfort of the drafty, dirty shelter, but hey, we are dry! Tomorrow might be a different story though.
Night!
Friday, August 12, 2011
4 month anniversary!
I have now been on the trail for four months. Crazy to think about especially since I had all of 3 days backpacking experience before I started this adventure. It's a good feeling knowing you can adapt to your surroundings.
What am I doing to celebrate this beautiful, albeit chilly morning (it dropped into the 50s last night - burr)? Oh just killing hoards of mosquitos as usual.
What am I doing to celebrate this beautiful, albeit chilly morning (it dropped into the 50s last night - burr)? Oh just killing hoards of mosquitos as usual.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
I want to mass murder...
...all mosquitos. Seriously, what would the ecological damage be for these blood sucking pests to go the same way as the dodo? I'm willing to allow some frogs and bats to go hungry so the mosquito race can be ended. For the past week I have been getting munched on non stop. I haven't used DEET products yet on the trail, but I might be ready to start. As I write this, I can hear the little bastards swarming around my hammock. They smell my sweet blood.
Oh yeah, made it to CT!
Dr Pepper and I attempted to walk to a deli that, according to my guide book, was .6 miles off the trail. The deli did not exist and I was none too pleased with my guide author, david "awol" miller. Hey Dave, if you read this, Tonys deli in CT does not exist.
To make matters worse, the good people of Connecticut apparently don't pick up hitchhikers. I guess I can't blame them though. Every other car was an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes, and I'd be damned if I let a dirty hiker in one of those! :)
-mojo
Oh yeah, made it to CT!
Dr Pepper and I attempted to walk to a deli that, according to my guide book, was .6 miles off the trail. The deli did not exist and I was none too pleased with my guide author, david "awol" miller. Hey Dave, if you read this, Tonys deli in CT does not exist.
To make matters worse, the good people of Connecticut apparently don't pick up hitchhikers. I guess I can't blame them though. Every other car was an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes, and I'd be damned if I let a dirty hiker in one of those! :)
-mojo
Lots of rain late
I hit Connecticut today! Very excited to have another state done and to begin a new one. Hopefully the recent rainfall holds off for a few days so I can dry out. It's rained a whole lot the last week and I feel like I haven't been dry in awhile. But that's part of hiking the trail. Rain or shine.
Hybrid and I parted ways for good this week as well. It was bittersweet for sure. We've had a great experience hiking together and I'm so glad we were able to take on this challenge as a team. It's sad to see him go, but the real world and architecture school beckons! I am so proud of what he has accomplished and the help he has given me this whole time. I know I have a huge supporter in my friend and one who will always be there for me.
For now, as always...Onward!!
-mojo
Hybrid and I parted ways for good this week as well. It was bittersweet for sure. We've had a great experience hiking together and I'm so glad we were able to take on this challenge as a team. It's sad to see him go, but the real world and architecture school beckons! I am so proud of what he has accomplished and the help he has given me this whole time. I know I have a huge supporter in my friend and one who will always be there for me.
For now, as always...Onward!!
-mojo
Saturday, August 6, 2011
The Mojo
I have been making a concerted effort to have restaurants we hit along the trail to name custom meals I order after me. Leave a little legacy in the town I touch. I'm special like that.
Our friend Wren picked us up this morning from Lake Tiorarti and we all went out for breakfast. We had this plan as of last night so while going to sleep I came up with what I thought was a delicious breakfast that would combine my love for sugar with my need for protein.
So if you are ever in Cornwall, NY at the Hudson Street cafe, see if they have the mojo. It's basically 3 pancakes with scrambled eggs and bacon on top of each pancake. Smother that in syrup and mmmmmmmmmm! You are eating the mojo
Our friend Wren picked us up this morning from Lake Tiorarti and we all went out for breakfast. We had this plan as of last night so while going to sleep I came up with what I thought was a delicious breakfast that would combine my love for sugar with my need for protein.
So if you are ever in Cornwall, NY at the Hudson Street cafe, see if they have the mojo. It's basically 3 pancakes with scrambled eggs and bacon on top of each pancake. Smother that in syrup and mmmmmmmmmm! You are eating the mojo
Friday, August 5, 2011
New York
Recently made it into NY! Normally states "bleed" into each other and you can't really notice an instant change when you cross a border (ie PA bled into NJ and NJ therefore was kind of rocky). Not so with NY. As soon as you hit the state, the terrain changed up pretty significantly and for the better.
Rocky cliffs with tons of views and fun hiking terrain is how I would describe NY so far. Really, really liking it. It also probably helped that yesterday's weather was just about perfect for summer hiking. Cool, partly cloudy, and comfortable.
Also, Hybrid and I met back up! It's great to be hiking with my buddy again and we are psyched to be back on track together again.
-mojo
Rocky cliffs with tons of views and fun hiking terrain is how I would describe NY so far. Really, really liking it. It also probably helped that yesterday's weather was just about perfect for summer hiking. Cool, partly cloudy, and comfortable.
Also, Hybrid and I met back up! It's great to be hiking with my buddy again and we are psyched to be back on track together again.
-mojo
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Rain, sweet rain
Rained for the last 3 hours of the hike today. Drenched, I arrived at a shelter. Met up with some old friends beforehand though and a cold, wet, miserable night has morphed into a cool night. Rain is beating down outside, but we are dry in the shelter. Even the crappy nights on the trail have a way of being awesome.
-mojo
-mojo
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
New Jersey
So far I have enjoyed NJ. Yes, it has rocks, but not to the same extent as PA. I may be biased though for a couple of reasons. One, I grew up in NJ and have the classic NJ chip on my shoulder. I love my state and have definitely been looking past it's rocky flaws. The other reason is that so far in NJ, my girlfriend, Sarah, as well as my mom and two sisters have come out and backpacked with me.
Sarah and I knocked out almost 20 miles in our day and a half together. Our first night, we camped atop Mt. Kittatiny and caught an amazing sunset. I also ruined poor Sarah's Mac and cheese dinner with wayyyy too much butter flavoring, but she found it in her heart to forgive me.
On our second day we hiked past rattlesnake swamp and surprise- we saw a rattlesnake. A pretty big one too. Prob 4-5 ft i would estimate. Earlier in the day Sarah had read up on her venomous snakes in the lodge of the Mohican Outdoor Center and she suggested I walk first. As we were strolling down the trail I came about 2 steps from stepping on the fat rattler as he (or she) sunned in the middle of the trail. I instantly jumped back as I realized what was ahead of me and immediately the serpent coiled up in a strike position and shook the big rattle on his tail. He wanted space and we gave it to him. Sarah remembered that we needed to give the snake at least 5 feet of space at all times an we did just that. After a couple minutes the snake slithered off to the west side of the trail, but only about 4-5 feet in. We tried to sneak past and as we did, he rang that rattle loud at us again. So our sneak changed to a run and we were safe from any need for anti-venom.
After our snake encounter we met up with my parents and sisters (Lisa and Amy) and got a bite to eat. Sarah would be going back to NYC and my sisters and mom would continue hiking with me.
The four of us set out around 6pm and I figured we had about 1-2 hrs of hiking before setting up camp. Sure enough, as soon as we walked into the woods, there read a sign- no camping for the next 3.5 miles. This made me a little nervous as I did not know the terrain ahead and 3.5 miles could very well take us past dark- a problem since I was the only one with a headlamp.
We walked the trail and even had to do some light rock climbing at points. Once on a cliff, I noticed a storm off to the west. The combination of an approaching storm and darkness had me in full campsite search mode. Fortunately we found one not too long after and literally just as we had camp setup, the rain began to fall. Talk about good timing!
The four of us crammed into my two person tent and played rummy while the cool rain made pitter patters on the fly (tarp) surrounding us.
The next day we all hiked in some intense heat, but everyone performed quite admirably. I tried giving out trail names but no one really liked theirs. Go figure, my mom didn't want to be called Gandolf.
All in all, had a great time with my backpacking visitors for the weekend and welcome the chance to hike with any other friends who would like to give this crazy trail a try.
-mojo
Sarah and I knocked out almost 20 miles in our day and a half together. Our first night, we camped atop Mt. Kittatiny and caught an amazing sunset. I also ruined poor Sarah's Mac and cheese dinner with wayyyy too much butter flavoring, but she found it in her heart to forgive me.
On our second day we hiked past rattlesnake swamp and surprise- we saw a rattlesnake. A pretty big one too. Prob 4-5 ft i would estimate. Earlier in the day Sarah had read up on her venomous snakes in the lodge of the Mohican Outdoor Center and she suggested I walk first. As we were strolling down the trail I came about 2 steps from stepping on the fat rattler as he (or she) sunned in the middle of the trail. I instantly jumped back as I realized what was ahead of me and immediately the serpent coiled up in a strike position and shook the big rattle on his tail. He wanted space and we gave it to him. Sarah remembered that we needed to give the snake at least 5 feet of space at all times an we did just that. After a couple minutes the snake slithered off to the west side of the trail, but only about 4-5 feet in. We tried to sneak past and as we did, he rang that rattle loud at us again. So our sneak changed to a run and we were safe from any need for anti-venom.
After our snake encounter we met up with my parents and sisters (Lisa and Amy) and got a bite to eat. Sarah would be going back to NYC and my sisters and mom would continue hiking with me.
The four of us set out around 6pm and I figured we had about 1-2 hrs of hiking before setting up camp. Sure enough, as soon as we walked into the woods, there read a sign- no camping for the next 3.5 miles. This made me a little nervous as I did not know the terrain ahead and 3.5 miles could very well take us past dark- a problem since I was the only one with a headlamp.
We walked the trail and even had to do some light rock climbing at points. Once on a cliff, I noticed a storm off to the west. The combination of an approaching storm and darkness had me in full campsite search mode. Fortunately we found one not too long after and literally just as we had camp setup, the rain began to fall. Talk about good timing!
The four of us crammed into my two person tent and played rummy while the cool rain made pitter patters on the fly (tarp) surrounding us.
The next day we all hiked in some intense heat, but everyone performed quite admirably. I tried giving out trail names but no one really liked theirs. Go figure, my mom didn't want to be called Gandolf.
All in all, had a great time with my backpacking visitors for the weekend and welcome the chance to hike with any other friends who would like to give this crazy trail a try.
-mojo
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