The summary for this day was laziness. Knowing that we had two days to hike some 27-28 miles, we were not to rushed to get out of camp. We still left around 7:30 though.
We got to the first shelter, 5 miles in, in pretty good time. We could hear some voices coming from the side trail so we thought we should go check it out. It was a few other thru hikers. Next thing we know we had our packs off and joined them in conversation. We stuck around for about 1.5 hours before moving on.
We hike another 5 miles to Pen Mar County Park. Captain Radish and Rifka were leaving as we arrived. Also there were a few hundred elementary school kids. We sat at a picnic table and soon decided to order food from a local restaurant. My guide book said they delivered to the park. We got the one pizza, ten wings, one liter drink special. It arrived 20 minutes later. We spent the next few hours eating and watching the kids run around the park. I followed that up with a nap, and DS went around and read about the history of the park. After sitting there for almost 4 hours we decided that we should probably hike the last 4.5 miles for the day.
After leaving the park, we crossed over the Mason Dixon line and into Pennsylvania.
We could hear thunder in the distance that was definitely coming towards us. Well, we got to experience that thunder and lightning about 2 miles later. Luckily, we got to a low point on the trail and set up the fly to DS's hammock in approximately 30 seconds. We dove up it and sat out the downpour for the next 30 minutes. We were dry, and that is all that mattered.
We hiked the last 2.5 miles to the shelter. Also here for the evening are Captain Radish and Rifka, The Count (a section hiker), and two other section hikers. We all enjoyed a good meal and socialization.
I forgot to mention I got some trail magic yesterday: a lemon lime soft drink and some pretzels. They were in a cooler beside a house the trail passed.
Showing posts with label MD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MD. Show all posts
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
June 3 - 24.8 / 1,045.2
I think have the knees of an 80 year old man. If I don't now, then I will soon after this hike is over.
The first night out was a little rough. I remembered why I don't like to sleep in shelters. The bugs ate at my skin all night. After not getting a good amount of sleep, I started to roll around by 5:30. The good thing was it allowed me to get hiking by 7. I did take my time getting out of there. Not 30 minutes after I was hiking, I heard my phone ringing in my pack. Strange things is that is was off when I put it in there. Somehow it got turned on, but that was good because DS was the one calling. I had to call him back as I could answer quick enough. He told me he was about 10 miles ahead. We discussed plans and decided that I would hike roughly 25 miles and he would do 15 in order for us to get back together since Demascus. That was probably some 600 miles ago.
The cool thing about this area of the country is the Civil War history. There are even signs and camp grounds that tell us about the area and what battles were fought. The morning took me through Garland State Park and past the Reno Monument. GSP has history about the war and a monument to war correspondents. The monument is the only one of its kind. There is also the remnants of an old barn used during the war. The Reno Monument is where Maj. Gen Jesse Lee Reno was killed. This battle was the antecedent to Antietam.
I ate lunch at the Dahlgren Backpack Campground. Also there were Turkey, Thrasher, Maple, Long Shanks, and two others who's names have slipped me. After lunch I got to see the Washington Monument. It is the original one built for GW in 1827. The top offered a good view of WV, MD, and PA. As I was hiking down, I met Mellow Yellow and Turtle, two brothers from Atlanta. I spoke to them for awhile and then headed on.
The afternoon brought showers. I could hear the thunder getting closer and didn't want to get caught in the lightning. So I jogged for about a mile in order to make it to a campsite. I set up my tent quickly (does nothing against lightning, but does against rain) and jumped in just in time before the downpour. Not sure how long it was going to last, I didn't unpack anything else. I took a 20 minute nap and woke up to sunshine. LS, Maple, and the two forgotten names had rolled in and were talking nearby. I decided to pack up my tent, spoke to them for a little bit, and hiked the last 5 miles to where DS and I were to meet up.
I stopped to get water just shy of the tentsites for the shelter to get some water. As I was walking back to my pack, I saw DS hiding behind it. I got there just in time as he was going to grab my stuff and hide it. We embraced each other, ok not really. We did act like little girls when we saw each other. I joined him for dinner after setting up my tent. LS joined us and Maple showed up as we were finishing.
As DS and I were catching up on the last few weeks he told me he was planning to meet his parents in two days. He also mentioned that he was going to take a zero and go to Gettysburg. He extended the offer which I accepted. I haven't even been on the trail for a week, and I will already be taking a zero.
We parted ways for the evening. I about killed myself as I was putting up my bear bag. I had thrown the rope over two limbs. Note that both of them were dead. As I was pulling up my bag one of them broke thus falling about a foot in front of me. It got my heart rate going. I managed to pull it up though.
Before bed I called my friend Drew B. for his birthday. He better read this to see his shout out.
After a long day, I was ready for some sleep.
The first night out was a little rough. I remembered why I don't like to sleep in shelters. The bugs ate at my skin all night. After not getting a good amount of sleep, I started to roll around by 5:30. The good thing was it allowed me to get hiking by 7. I did take my time getting out of there. Not 30 minutes after I was hiking, I heard my phone ringing in my pack. Strange things is that is was off when I put it in there. Somehow it got turned on, but that was good because DS was the one calling. I had to call him back as I could answer quick enough. He told me he was about 10 miles ahead. We discussed plans and decided that I would hike roughly 25 miles and he would do 15 in order for us to get back together since Demascus. That was probably some 600 miles ago.
The cool thing about this area of the country is the Civil War history. There are even signs and camp grounds that tell us about the area and what battles were fought. The morning took me through Garland State Park and past the Reno Monument. GSP has history about the war and a monument to war correspondents. The monument is the only one of its kind. There is also the remnants of an old barn used during the war. The Reno Monument is where Maj. Gen Jesse Lee Reno was killed. This battle was the antecedent to Antietam.
I ate lunch at the Dahlgren Backpack Campground. Also there were Turkey, Thrasher, Maple, Long Shanks, and two others who's names have slipped me. After lunch I got to see the Washington Monument. It is the original one built for GW in 1827. The top offered a good view of WV, MD, and PA. As I was hiking down, I met Mellow Yellow and Turtle, two brothers from Atlanta. I spoke to them for awhile and then headed on.
The afternoon brought showers. I could hear the thunder getting closer and didn't want to get caught in the lightning. So I jogged for about a mile in order to make it to a campsite. I set up my tent quickly (does nothing against lightning, but does against rain) and jumped in just in time before the downpour. Not sure how long it was going to last, I didn't unpack anything else. I took a 20 minute nap and woke up to sunshine. LS, Maple, and the two forgotten names had rolled in and were talking nearby. I decided to pack up my tent, spoke to them for a little bit, and hiked the last 5 miles to where DS and I were to meet up.
I stopped to get water just shy of the tentsites for the shelter to get some water. As I was walking back to my pack, I saw DS hiding behind it. I got there just in time as he was going to grab my stuff and hide it. We embraced each other, ok not really. We did act like little girls when we saw each other. I joined him for dinner after setting up my tent. LS joined us and Maple showed up as we were finishing.
As DS and I were catching up on the last few weeks he told me he was planning to meet his parents in two days. He also mentioned that he was going to take a zero and go to Gettysburg. He extended the offer which I accepted. I haven't even been on the trail for a week, and I will already be taking a zero.
We parted ways for the evening. I about killed myself as I was putting up my bear bag. I had thrown the rope over two limbs. Note that both of them were dead. As I was pulling up my bag one of them broke thus falling about a foot in front of me. It got my heart rate going. I managed to pull it up though.
Before bed I called my friend Drew B. for his birthday. He better read this to see his shout out.
After a long day, I was ready for some sleep.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
June 2 - 7.0 / 1,020.4
It has been a long day aside from the hiking. Michelle and I boarded a plane at 10:40 PM pacific time and flew through the night to Atlanta. We arrived around 7:30 AM. For a red eye, I managed to get some sleep which was good. After saying goodbye to her, I got on a plane and flew to DC. I spent that flight trying to catch up on some of the days I lacked in blogville.
Once in DC, I worked my way from Dulles to the Metro and then to the King St. stop. I had to go pick up my pack from Daniel's office. I headed back to the Metro station where I was met by Mr. John, my sister's father-in-law. He took me from the station all the way out to Harper's Ferry. It was a fun ride in his Corvette convertible, and the weather was perfect. I dozed off a few times even though I tried to stay awake during the whole ride. He took me to an Aldi to resupply and then dropped me off in HF at the ATC Center. I recognized a few people there. I couldn't believe they were over a week behind. I also checked out the log book to see who had come through and gotten their picture made. I was the 106th hiker to check in last week and I think the number is right under 200 now.
I went to the post office and outfitter after leaving the ATC. I finally made it out of town around 4:30. The hike today was pretty short. The first few miles were even flat. I truly mean flat. The shelter area is pretty full with thru hikers and a group of 10th grade students. Thrasher and Turkey, a married couple from GA, are staying in the shelter with me and a few others. I would normally opt for the tent, but I didn't feel like setting it up. I hope that is not a bad idea.
I did cross into Maryland also.
I've heard that Dark Star and Speed Stick are just a few miles ahead. Perhaps I will be able to catch up with them over the next few days.
Also today, I found out that an article I was interviewed for got published on our Company's website. Now all KPMGers in the U.S. have the possibility of knowing what I am doing. More importantly, it helps to get the word out about children's charities and my fundraising effort.
Thanks to those that have pledged an amount. You pledge and I will do the hard part of walking.
I am glad to be back on the trail.
Night, friends.
BT
Once in DC, I worked my way from Dulles to the Metro and then to the King St. stop. I had to go pick up my pack from Daniel's office. I headed back to the Metro station where I was met by Mr. John, my sister's father-in-law. He took me from the station all the way out to Harper's Ferry. It was a fun ride in his Corvette convertible, and the weather was perfect. I dozed off a few times even though I tried to stay awake during the whole ride. He took me to an Aldi to resupply and then dropped me off in HF at the ATC Center. I recognized a few people there. I couldn't believe they were over a week behind. I also checked out the log book to see who had come through and gotten their picture made. I was the 106th hiker to check in last week and I think the number is right under 200 now.
I went to the post office and outfitter after leaving the ATC. I finally made it out of town around 4:30. The hike today was pretty short. The first few miles were even flat. I truly mean flat. The shelter area is pretty full with thru hikers and a group of 10th grade students. Thrasher and Turkey, a married couple from GA, are staying in the shelter with me and a few others. I would normally opt for the tent, but I didn't feel like setting it up. I hope that is not a bad idea.
I did cross into Maryland also.
I've heard that Dark Star and Speed Stick are just a few miles ahead. Perhaps I will be able to catch up with them over the next few days.
Also today, I found out that an article I was interviewed for got published on our Company's website. Now all KPMGers in the U.S. have the possibility of knowing what I am doing. More importantly, it helps to get the word out about children's charities and my fundraising effort.
Thanks to those that have pledged an amount. You pledge and I will do the hard part of walking.
I am glad to be back on the trail.
Night, friends.
BT
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