Day 114 July 30 To Riga Shelter

This was my first day back on the trail.  It started out as a beautiful day.

But in the following hours  the heel pain that put me off the trail two weeks ago, came back.  I did two miles and realized that I had to stop.   I walked into Falls Village.  I called Becky and talked about my predicament. She wisely advised me to make a plan.  I decided to walk 6.6 miles to the next town, Salisbruy.

I passed the Great Falls on the Housatonic River.

It was a beautiful hike.  

But the pain only got worse. I walked the final mile and limped into town. From Salisbury  I called Hudson, back at Bearded Woods Hostel.  He had space for me and would pick me up when other hikers arrived.  

I spent a nice evening with the hiker friends who all slacpacked that day and returned to Bearded Woods. 

Tomorrow I'll fly to Urbana Illinois where my mother lives. 

Day 113 July 29 back to Bearded Woods Bunk and Dine

After spending the last 13 days with Becky, her mom and her mom's husband in Florida, I went from The Villages to Orlando. There I caught a flight to Philidelphia and then on to Hartford CN.  Hudson picked me and Frankie the Sleeper up and took us to Bearded Woods, Hudson's hiker hostel.  

There I met up with Race Walker, RW, Genesis, Grandma Pepper, Frankie, Madjac and Obsidian.  

We relaxed and talked the trail.   Then we had one of Big Lu's (Hudson's wife). famous suppers!   Tomorrow I go back on the trail.  

Day 101 July 16 to Orlando

I woke up and join the others and a great breakfast.  It was pouring rain out so the other hikers waited a while to set out. Then after the rain stopped Hudson and Big Lu shuttled them out to where had stop the day before.

I use the morning to dry out things and to clean up and pack my bag for my flight.

About 1 o'clock Hudson drove me to Bradley airport. It took about an hour.  I said goodbye to Hudson and told him I would call when I was ready to come back to the trail. I had the rest of the afternoon to wait for my flight which wasn't until 5 o'clock.

My flight took off on time and I arrived in Washington to transfer to my  next flight Orlando.   I arrived in Orlando and the shuttle from there to the villages where Becky and her mother are staying.

It's quite amazing to one day be hiking the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut and the next day be snug in at home in Florida. 

Day 100 July 15 to Bearded Woods

During the night, it rained steadily and a thunderstorm passed through.  Since I went to bed early the night before, I got up early and messaged Hudson about where I thought he could be picked up.  It would be at 10 or 13 miles down the trail.

So, I broke camp and started out.  I hoped to make Route 7 by 1:00 p.m  But I arrived at 3:10 p.m.  It was rugged and I was tired.


When I arrived, Big Lu picked me up.  She then picked up two SOBOs (south bounders) that I had met earlier.

She  took us back to Bearded Woods which is the name of the hostel that she and Hudson run. She showed us where we would sleep and how to get cleaned up. We settled in nicely. 

That evening we had a family-style supper. It was a great meal.

Ever since  evening before I had been thinking about my next move. I was feeling tired and like I needed to stop walking for a while.   Especially because my left heel was very sore.  After chatting with Hudson and several of the other people I decided I would take about a week off.  I need to give  my sore left heel a break and to see if one of my toenails was going to be a problem.  So I quickly booked a flight from Bradford Airport Orlando. I would take a shuttle to where Becky is staying with her mother.  I talked to Becky and she agreed. She quickly called a podiatrist and made an appointment for me the next day.

After. having some good talks with the rest of the other seven hikers  I went to bed.

Day 99 July 14 Camp past Guinea Brook

In the morning the rain had stopped so I broke camp and started off for Kent, where I was to see an outfitter about replacing the tips on my trekking poles.   But before getting there, the clouds lifted and gave a beautiful view.  

Before going to Kent, I met some hikers who I've known for a number of weeks ; Thor the Red, and Lotus.  They took off and I went to town.  Then I returned to the AT and set off to catch  them.  But they were going to Pine Swamp Shelter, but I knew I would make that, so I aimed for Caesar Brook.  On the I scrambled up through a narrow crack, similar to the Lemon Squeezer.

But I never made it to Caesar Brook.   It started to rain.  When I got to Guinea Brook I had to take a detour around it  because there was not bridge, only stepping stones  It was rain swollen and I didn't wanted to risk fording it.   It kept raining and  feeling quite soaked, I camped past Guinea Brook.

However, the big event of the day was that I had a growing feeling the I had had enough of the trail.  "I don't want to walk anymore" was what I thought.  The discomfort of always being wet, the ever presence of mosquitoes and flies, the pain in the left heel which  had really worn me down not to mention the tremendous ruggedness of the AT all took their toll.  

That evening, I had a cold supper.  During the night I decided to take a night in a hostel. I called Hudson and Big Lu who have the Bearded Woods Bunk and Dine to see if they had space for me to the next night.  They did and they would pick up me up a Rt 7.

Distance 15 miles
Total Distance : 1475 miles

Day 98 July 13 to Schaghticoke campsite

I broke camp early at Nuclear Lake since my camp spot might have been totally approved by the rangers. 

That morning, I crossed a number of long boardwalks.

Later, I crossed from New York to Connecticut.

After passing Wiley Shelter and Ten Mile Shelter, I dropped down to the  beautiful stream called 10 Mile River.

After climbing back up to the ridge, I caught a view of the Schaghticoke  reservation.

I made it to Schagticoke campsite, but decided to camp at the brook where the AT crossed. I pitched my tent. Half an hour later there was a huge thunderstorm and a downpour.  

Distance: 21 miles

Total distance 1460 miles

Day 97 July 12 to Nuclear Lake

I broke camp early since I was "stealth camping" and didn't was to get a reprimand from the park rangers.   From Lake Canopus I walked back the trail that led to the AT.  I walked up to an overview of the lake. 

During the morning, I walked past a huge oak tree.  It must be one of the biggest along the AT

Later, that morning, I walked by the RPH shelter and a crews from the local AT club were working on in it.  They gave us pastries, water and soft drinks.

I continued on to Nuclear Lake where I hoped to find a spot to camp.  But it was posted no camping and and no fires.  Viking and Bigfoot found a stealthy place in the woods.  I found a spot that said no fires, so I camped there.  I had a nice swim in Nuclear Lake before cooking and turning in.

Distance: 19 miles

Total distance: 1439.2 miles

Day 96 July 11 to Lake Canopus beach (Fahnstock State Park)

Back on the trail after a day and a half of rest. Got up and crossed the street to the deli and had two bagels and cream cheese.  I got shuttled out to my starting point by the hotel owner Doug. I didn't mention that Doug and Inga where the owners of the quaint Bear Mountain Bridge motel. I had a nice talk with them Doug was from England and Inga was  from Germany. 

I crossed the Bear Mountain Bridge.

The trail started out much less rugged way then the days previous.   Still it had many up-and-down which made it difficult day. 

Doug told me that the the Hudson river was like the Rhine River. A number of castles have been built along it. 

There was a deli at a gas station on route nine at Peekskill. So I had a early lunch of pizza  and. Dr Pepper. Anything to get calories.

I caught up with three of the Warriors, a group of military veterans were helping other vets through hiking.  Their trail names are Viking, Machine and Bigfoot. Silverstag also caught up with us.  Later on I caught up with Safety First and Wander Bus. 

When I got  Lake Canopus WB and SF   were showering at the bath house of the lake.  Started to walk into the State park, but I didn't find any place to camp.  So I camped at the picnic area by the lake.

Distance: 20.6.

Total distance 1419.9.

Day 95 July 10 zero In Fort Montgomery

I had hoped to make July 9 my zero day. But the rugged terrain of the  New York section wore me down. So I decided to take a half day on the ninth and whole day  on the 10th.  Thru hikers have to listen to their bodies so I decided to listen to mine. I hope the extra rest will do me good.

Again I've had to take care of some equipment issues  The floor on my tent has been delaminating. So I put seam sealer on it to repair it to keep it from delaminating. further. I contacted the maker to alert them to the problem.  I decided to see if my repairs will hold for the next two months.

My left pole has developed a problem. In Harpers Ferry I had an outfitter change the tips. But he is Black Diamond tips instead of Leki tips. Now the the tip has bent.  So I contacted an outfitter in Kent to see if they can change it.  I'm waiting to hear from them.

Day 94 July 9 to Fort Montgomery New York

Today would be a short day from West Mountain shelter to Fort Montgomery. Only 6 miles. 

I passed the Perkins Memorial. It was his vision to start the Palisades system of parks.

The 700 stone steps leading down to Bear Mountain Inn are a phenomenal work of volunteers.

As I was about to pass the Bear Mountain Inn I was greeted by Stan Goldblatt. Stan is photographer who is taking pictures of thru hikers. He asked me if I be willing to just to sit for him. And I agreed. 

 He then took  me to my motel where I would spend the rest of the day and begin my zero day.

Day 93 July 8 to West Mountain shelter.

Today proved to be a very difficult day. The number of ups and downs and the rugged rocks made it that way.

Today I had to deal with the famous lemon squeezer.  This little notch led to it.

Then I had a work my way through the thin chimney. Most people have to take their packs off and pull them through. But I was able to put my water bottles in my pack and my poles in my side pockets and make my way up through the squeeze chimney. 

Then I climbed the short face with a layback (instead of taking the easy go around). 

This is my second day in Harriman State Park. It's really quite beautiful. 

There are many great views. 

By 7:30 I had enough. It was a difficult day again. So I camped on top of the mountain at West shelter. A few hours later thunderstorm rolled through. But my Lightheart So Long tent weathered it very well.

Distance. 16.2 miles

Total distance. 1392.7

Day 92 July 7 to campsite past Buchanan Mtn

Today would prove to be one of the most difficult days since the Smokies. There were many rocks and lots of difficult ups and downs.

One even required a letter to get up.

Today I crossed in from New Jersey into New York.

This big guy greeted me after a bend in the trail. 

I had hoped to go 23 miles. But the terrain that heat made that I'm possible. It was starting to get dark and I found a really nice camping spot.  So I camped a little bit past Buchanan mountain.

Distance: 19.2. Miles

Total distance :  1376.1 miles

Day 91 July 6 to Wawayanda Shelter

After leaving Jim Murray's shelter area where I camped ( thank you Jim), I continued back to the trail and immediately joined a long boardwalk.

 

After crossing the boardwalk I ran into a whole clutch of wild turkeys. Sorry no picture.

After a couple of hours walking I came to Unionville. Decided to have second breakfast. Went to Horcher's general store

I passed  some really beautiful lakes today. 

Boardwalks for the order of the day.  There were several miles of them 

 I arrived at Wawayanda shelter to hear that a big bear had just been there.  I camped there all the same. I put my food in the big steel bear  box.

Distance 18.5

Total distance. 1357.9

Miles remaining: 827.4

Day 90 July 5 to Jim Murray Shelter

Jerry Hoffmann took me to Culver gap. Thought about trying to get a new tip on my left pole since it's kind of bent. But there was no outfitter close so I just decided to set out. Just after setting out I saw a bear right in front of  me and the trail.  

It was a beautiful day. Temperature started out in the 50s.

Terrain is more rocky in New Jersey than I expected.  Soon I came to the top of the ridge and found this pavilion. 

Not long afterward I arrived at Mashipacong shelter and Trail magic from Tapeworm (thru hiker from '96)

I passed through Highpoint State Park and saw the monument. 

The trail is beautiful and varied along this part of the trail. 

There are  many stone fences throughout this area.

I arrived at the Jim Murray shelter at 8 o'clock. The Shelter was built by an old thru- Hiker. He makes it as well as a shower and privy.

Distance:  21.5 miles

Total distance. 1339.4

Day 89 July 4 to Culver gap

It rained all night.  And I knew Hurricane Arhur was coming up the coast. I wondered if I should weather it to town. My brother-in-law Mark Hoffmann's brother had offered to pick me up and spend the day with me.  So I contacted them and asked them to pick me up at Culver gap.  

So I put on my clothes still wet from last night. I broke  camp and started out.  It wasn't raining when I started so I dried off a bit. But then it rained and I got soaked again.   Stopped for lunch at Brinks shelter and dried  out. 

While at the shelter it's cleared off and the sun came out. I continued on with the 3 miles to Culver Gap.  Jerry and Julie Hoffmann picked me up.   They took me to their place where she washed and dried my clothes and boots. I spent a nice Fourth of July with them and other family.  Julie prepared a great supper.   I saw fireworks and had a great time.  Thanks Jerry and Julie. 

Distance. 11.9 miles

Total distance. 1318.0

Day 88 July 3 to Buttermilk campsite.

It's been a wonderful day with Becky yesterday on my zero day in the Delaware water gap. We had a really nice time and some nice meals.

She took me back to this morning at the Lenape  lake campsite. We said goodbye.  She'll go to Newark today and fly to South Carolina to see her sister and other family  for the 4th of July. ( but because of Hurricane Arthur; she  wouldn't arrive for two days. )

I crossed the Delaware River and quickly climbed up the ridge past Sunfish Lake.

Got some beautiful views of the Delaware River Valley.

It must've been like this during the time when the  Delaware tribes lived here. that. I can see why they were so happy here. Beautiful mountains, the lakes the river, and  great hunting.

But the westher deteriorated as a front came in and developed into thunderstorms.  I had originally wanted to go 20 miles but as I was on the top of a ridge and lighting was striking close, I pitched my tent and got on top of my air mattress. 

But at least i passed the 1300 mile mark 

Distance. 16.6

Total distance. 1306.1

Day 87 July 2 zero day in Delaware water gap.

Becky and I spent a great day in Delaware Water Gap.  We did my usual preparations. We had a really nice reunion after three months.

Day 86 July 1 to Delaware water gap.

After a very early morning rise I started out at 6 o'clock because I wanted to get to Delaware water gap by 6:30 PM since I was meeting Becky.

Windgap was only 4 miles away so I decided to have a second breakfast and pick up 3 L of water since I knew there would be no water sources until the Delaware water gap. 

After  Windgap again had some of the most difficult climbing is scrambling that I encountered.

Total distance 1289.6 miles