Sunday, May 31, 2020

Day #80 - AT Hike - Pennsylvania starts

Sunday, May 31 - Day #80 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 18.5
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 1067.5/2,193 (48.68%)

Pine Knob Shelter (1049.0) to Falls Creek Tentsite (1067.5) - tent at Falls Creek Tentsite

Total ascent - 3,015’
Total descent - 3,305’

Total States Completed - 6/14

**No Rain - another perfect day for hiking. Clear with highs in the upper 60’s

————-

Alright - making some things happen. Maryland - DONE!!  I’ve now completed 6 of the 14 states on the AT (Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland).  8 more to go.

Within the AT journey - there’s all these different little challenges that people have established. One of them is the 4-state challenge. That is walking across 4 states in a 24-hour period. It’s done by starting in Virginia - walking the 7 miles across West Virginia - and then walking the 41 miles across Maryland into Pennsylvania. It’s 48-50 miles in 24 hours. I knew I didn’t want to do this - nor could I have done it even if I had a desire to do so. However - I made up my own challenge (3 states in 36 hours). I was able to make it from West Virginia - across Maryland - and into Pennsylvania in 1-1/2 days (41.4 miles). I’ll take it!

Today was a picture-perfect weather day. Lows in the mid 40’s with highs in the upper 60’s. The course was much more demanding today because of all the rocks. The last 7 miles or so were pretty brutal with a ton of ankle-turning stones to navigate. I started the day with my Hokas and then switched back to my Altra Lone Peaks mid-day. Tomorrow - I’m going to reverse that and start with the Altras and switch to the Hokas.  I’m really giving these shoes a true test to see which is better for me. Still holding off on my analysis for now.

The last couple days have been pretty cool on trail with a lot of people out. Also - the trail has been going through some neat parks with a lot  of history along the way. I really like new scenery. The deep woods gets old - it’s the same stuff, different day. I don’t mind walking in more urban areas to get a unique flavor — you see people, I’ve been able to take breaks on park benches, use restrooms, get water out of water spigots in parks - it’s a nice change of pace.

I’m camping at a Tentsite tonight. Nobody here but me. It’s OK - I’m really tired again and will be shutting it down soon. It’s 8:30pm right now. I’m hoping to get an early start tomorrow - we’ll see how it goes - but I may try for another 20-miler.

OK - so before turning in - I wanted to introduce the state of Pennsylvania. When I think of Pennsylvania - I think of Philly - when I think of Philly - I think of Rocky - when I think of Rocky - I think of “The Eye of the Tiger”

Queue the Band:

———

“Risin’ up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance, now I’m back on my feet
Just a man and his will to survive

So many times, it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory
Don’t lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive

It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight
Risin’ up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he’s watchin’ us all with the eye of the tiger

Face to face, out in the heat
Hangin’ tough, stayin’ hungry
They stack the odds til’ we take to the street
For the kill with the skill to survive

It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight
Risin’ up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he’s watchin’ us all with the eye of the tiger

Risin’ up, straight to the top
Had the guts, got the glory
Went the distance, now I’m not gonna stop
Just a man and his will to survive

It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight
Risin’ up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he’s watchin’ us all with the eye of the tiger”

“Eye of the Tiger” — Survivor

———-

Not a surprise if you know me pretty well. And yes - I have run up the Art Museum steps - on 2 separate occasions!!

Good night from Pennsylvania!!!


Wide trail in spots

Rocky trail

Bridge by my campsite

Park near end of hike


Walking through open fields

This sign is wrong - by a lot 

Neat

Trail crossing train tracks

Through the fields

Park 

My campsite

Crossing the Mason-Dixon Line

Rocky

More Rocky trail

Saturday, May 30, 2020

Day #79 - AT Hike - Maryland starts

Saturday, May 30 - Day#79 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 22.9
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 1049.0/2,193 (47.83%)

Harpers Ferry (1026.1) to Pine Knob Shelter (1049.0) - tent at Pine Knob Shelter

Total ascent - 4,050’
Total descent - 2,954’

Total States Completed - 5/14

**No Rain - really perfect weather today. Not too hot. Pleasant

———

Supersized day today!!  22.9 miles with 4,050’ vertical ascent.  The day started with a 3 mile hike on a bike path - which was flat and smooth. I was able to make good time in the morning to give me a chance for a bigger mileage day. The weather was spot on as well. After some storms last night - the sun came out today. Temperatures remained in low 70’s - not too hot.

The Hokas held up pretty well overall today. I could definitely tell the difference in the cushion vs the Lone Peaks. I’ve been walking for over 1,000 miles with a certain shoe - everything seemed different and unfamiliar today. Not perfect by a long shot - my feet were still hurting pretty bad coming into the shelter tonight. But - I just need to give it a little time.  New shoes can take a minute to get loosened up. I’m holding judgement for now. We’ll give them a whirl again tomorrow.

So I finished my 5th state (West Virginia) today.  Plus - I got more than half-way across Maryland. There’s only 41 miles on the AT in Maryland. I did nearly 23 of those miles today. If things go as planned - I’ll finish up Maryland tomorrow- leaving me with 8 states to go.

Here’s the final 8 states in the order I will hike them. I’ve also included the miles in each state:

Pennsylvania- 229
New Jersey - 72
New York - 91
Connecticut - 50
Massachusetts - 90
Vermont - 151
New Hampshire - 161
Maine - 282

I got into the shelter tonight around 6:30pm. Long days leave little time for tent setup and cooking before it turns dark. I’m pretty quick on setup - so things went well. There are 4 section hikers here - all going south to Harpers Ferry. It was cool talking with them over dinner. I am so tired - I let them know I was turning in early. It’s 9:30pm now - I’m about ready for some shut-eye.

Before I conclude tonight - one last thing to do:

So - I need to introduce the state of Maryland with a theme song - (I got to tell you - it took a few days to come up with something.  I have a lot of time on trail - so follow me here):

Maryland has Baltimore, the Naval Academy, it’s known for lobster/seafood, the Mason-Dixon Line, Antietam National Battlefield. But - I don’t know any songs specifically about Maryland - nor any singers from there. So - what do I know best?  Sports. OK - who’s one of the most famous sports people from Maryland. Michael Phelps. Why is Michael Phelps so popular?  He’s the most decorated Olympian ever. 8/8 golds in Beijing. OK - so the Olympics has made him a household name in the sport of swimming. What is the best Olympic theme song of all time. It’s “One Moment in Time” by Whitney Houston. So - I pulled up this song and listened to it - with the lyrics. I got chills!!  This song is unbelievable!!  This song is speaking to me!!

Without further ado, Please welcome the late-great —- Ms Whitney Houston:

——-

“Each day I live, I want to be
A day to give, the best of me
I’m only one, but not alone
My finest day, is yet unknown

I broke my heart, fought every gain
To taste the sweet, I face the pain
I rise and fall, yet through it all
This much remains

I want one moment in time
When I’m more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away
And the answers are all up to me
Give me one moment in time
When I’m racing with destiny
Then in that one moment in time
I will feel
I will feel eternity

I’ve lived to be, the very best
I want it all, no time for less
I’ve laid the plans, now lay the chance, here in my hands

Give me one moment in time
When I’m more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away
And the answers are all up to me
Give me one moment in time
When I’m racing with destiny
Then in that one moment in time
I will feel
I will feel eternity

You’re a winner for a lifetime
If you seize that one moment in time
Make it shine

Give me that one moment in time
When I’m more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away
And the answers are all up to me
Give me one moment in time
When I’m racing with destiny
Then in that one moment in time
I will be
I will be
I will be free
I will be
I will be free’

“One Moment in Time” — Whitney Houston

———

That was a round about way to get a theme song - but pull this up on YouTube - it’s a special song.

Goodnight from the middle of Maryland. Tomorrow - I hope to be coming to you live from Pennsylvania - and a theme song a little more in my wheelhouse!!


I got to site-see while hiking today

I got to see the Washington Monument 

Great weather day

A couple nice lookouts

Early morning river walk

Cool views this morning

Shenandoah River

Went through a couple parks today

This area had different facts about George Washington 

Bike path by river

More river views

Dahlgren camping area

Gathland State Park

More views

Walkway over interstate

That’s the bridge I was going to walk over - it’s closed for construction 

Gathland State Park

Cool views

Washington Monument 

Friday, May 29, 2020

Day #78 - AT Hike

Friday, May 29 - Day #78 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 0
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 1026.1/2,193 (46.79%)

Zero Day - Quality Inn (Harpers Ferry, West Virginia)

Total States Completed - 4/14

**Rain Day - serious thunderstorm in afternoon. Hot and muggy most of the day.

———

It’s 9:25pm here on Friday night. I just had a great Happy Hour Zoom call with my Lifetime Fitness friends back in Colorado. I hadn’t seen them for a little while - so it was really awesome to catch up. I miss working out together - that motivation/inspiration o group can provide - it’s something that should never be taken for granted.

It’s been a pretty busy day. I’ve decided to wait until my next Zero to dig into my finances. I am going to provide a brief “State of the Union” below:

——————-

A). Elevation

Total Overall Ascent Completed - 230,471/472,407 (48.79%)

Total Overall Descent Completed - 233,997/470,931 (49.69%)

———————-

B). Camping vs Hotel

Camping - 53 days
Hotel -  25 days
— Day #1 - Amicalola Falls Lodge, GA
— Day #4 - Blood Mtn Cabin, Neels Gap, GA
— Day #10-11 - Budget Inn, Franklin, NC
— Day #22-23 - Mountain Inn, Erwin, TN
— Day #27 - Mountain Harbour B&B, Roan Mtn, TN
— Day #29 - Boots Off Hostal, TN
— Day #32-33 - Dancing Bear Inn, Damascus, VA
— Day #38 - Relax Inn, Atkins, VA
— Day #42 - Woodshole Hostal, VA
— Day #43-44 - Plaza Hotel, Pearisburg, VA
— Day #48 - Four Pines Hostal, VA
— Day #50 - Howard Johnson Inn, Daleville, VA
— Day #54 - Stanimals Hostal, Glasgow, VA
— Day #58-59 - Stanimals Hostal, Waynesboro, VA
— Day #60 - Best Western, Newport, TN
— Day #65 - Best Western, Newport, TN
— Day #66 - Quality Inn, Waynesboro, VA
— Day #73 - Baymont Inn, Front Royal, VA
— Day #77-78 - Quality Inn, Harpers Ferry, WV

————————

C). Total Zero Days

Zeroes - 8
— Day #11 - Franklin, NC
— Day #23 - Erwin, TN
— Day #33 - Damascus, VA
— Day #44 - Pearisburg, VA
— Day #59 - Waynesboro, VA
— Day #60 - Newport, TN
— Day #66 - Waynesboro, VA
— Day #78 - Harpers Ferry, WV

——————

D).  Total Rain Days

42 total days with rain/snow. 42/78 (53.85%)

Days - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 31, 32, 33, 37, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 52, 53, 54, 57, 58, 62, 64, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 73, 77, 78

——————-

F). State Theme Songs

— Georgia - Georgia on my Mind (Ray Charles)
— North Carolina - Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond)
— Tennessee - Rocky Top (Osbourne Brothers)
— Virginia - Get Along (Kenny Chesney)
— West Virginia - Take Me Home Country Roads (John Denver)


———-

Really interesting to see some of these stats. I’ve gone 1,026.1 miles in 78 days. That’s averaging 13.16 miles/day.  But really - I had 8 Zero Days and my first day on Trail was solely on the Approach Trail. So - 1,026.1 miles in 69 days. That’s averaging 14.87 miles/day - looking at days I gained positive mileage on the AT.

I’ve fallen a little behind my projected target at this point.  I was hoping to be at 1105 miles by the end of tomorrow. I’ll likely be around 1045 - that’s 60 miles behind pace (roughly 4 days). I don’t feel too bad about this - my bypass of the Smokey’s cost me a couple days. I still think there’s a chance to make up some ground down the road. But - if I am able to complete this journey within a few days of my goal —- all good stuff!!

Alright - I need to get to bed. Today I took a couple hours to tour Harpers Ferry, I shipped back some cold weather clothes at the Post Office, and I bought new Hoka shoes.  I’ve decided to try out the Speedgoat 4 Hokas over the next 105 miles. Let’s hope for good things!!

Stay strong, stay safe - we’ll talk to you from Maryland tomorrow. I’ll have a welcome tune to introduce us to the 6th state on my journey!


Freshly shaven - my mom asked for a pic

Coming into town

ATC is home-based in Harpers Ferry

Where the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers merge

History

Bridge over the Potomac River

The bridge I was supposed to cross - under construction - have to take shuttle

Jefferson Rock

Interesting Civil War history here

New Hokas

Lots of history here

Interesting 

Jefferson Rock

Great views today 

St Peters Roman Catholic Church

3 trails meet at the Potomac/Shenandoah River merge

More history