Alright!! We're in our final 5 states!! We blew through New Jersey and saw A LOT of bears. We saw 2 adults and I'm pretty sure we walked by a bear den with 4 cubs one day... we ran out of that area tho in case mother bear came back while we were around! New York was incredible, but a little harder than most of us expected! The trail thru PA and NJ was mostly rocky, but they were little rocks that really hurt the feet. The rocks in New York were huge, and you were pretty much rock climbing up and down them. It was actually a fun change of pace on the trail.
Jesse (i.e. Mr. Tea) is back on the trail, so the five of us are together again! We just got into Connecticut yesterday and got into town today! I got really sick a few days ago on the trail (luckily we were taking a zero day, which is a day that we do zero miles, haha). And yesterday, Eric seemed to get the same thing. We think it is just a viral bug tho and not related to water or food (otherwise it would have been way worse and lasted longer than a day). Hopefully he feels better by the end of today, and we're not hiking which should help. Claire, Laura (i.e. Speakeasy)'s dog, seems to have fallen a little ill as well. We're taking her to the first vet clinic we find (which should be tomorrow) and getting her tested for Lyme Disease. :( I hate to leave everyone hanging on that note, but we'll know soon enough, and luckily there is a treatment, so she'll be alright.
Well, that's all for now! I've got to get off the library's computer and finish laundry! :) Miss and love everyone!
p.s. Sandy! We realized Kim had left her headlight. She already replaced it, so she should be fine, but I'll double check with her and see if she wants it mailed out... otherwise, its all yours!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
From Boiling Springs, PA to Culver's Gap, NJ (07/04-07/19)
Wow! So lots has happened since the last time I updated! Eric and I left Boiling Springs alone. The girls went home for a week to work and Jesse is still off the trail (also working). We had a lot of fun spending some time alone on the trail... but it was a rough week! Pennslyvania was full of rocks (really painful ones that were no fun to hike over), and it was REALLY hot, and there was a major lack of water on the trail for about 2 weeks. We got into Duncannon, PA where we stayed at the Doyle Motel. It was 105 years old and the motel was above the bar. The people there were awesome and very hiker friendly. We also met Trailangel Mary, who lived right down the road, and helped us get to the grocery store. She's part of Billville, and they were doing a big hiker feed the following weekend, but we unfortunately couldn't make our way back for it. We had some more trail magic leaving there when a younger couple we met gave us a 6 pack of Blue Moon :) Eric was pretty excited about that!
Anyways, we made it into Port Clinton, PA and Jesse came to pick us up and take us to Pittsburg for a couple days. We stayed at the Port Clinton Motel, which was another bar with rooms, but we had a blast meeting and talking to the regulars there. The bartender Ed was great! The girls met us up there, along with Eric's brother and his fiancee. I finally have met his family!! His brother, Eli, and fiancee, Julie, were very nice and we had a blast in the city! We played a little frisbee golf, we walked around downtown (or rather in the REI), and hit up a few bars our last night there. We stayed with Jesse's sister and cousin who lived in the city. It was really fun, and I know Eric really enjoyed getting to see Eli!
So, the four of us (me, Eric, Left It, and Speakeasy... and her dog Claire, so five really) are back on the trail together, which makes things so much easier! We've continuously battled the rocks of PA and we're so excited to be done!! We crossed the border into New Jersey a couple days ago. New Jersey has been interesting so far. Our first stop in the state is here. There were a couple taverns and restaurants around the intersection with the trail. The first place we went to, we were told (very rudely) that we would have to stay outside if we wanted anything. We left JYBS (the name of the place), with a foul taste and were starting to think that NJ was going to be just as sterotypical as its played out to be. After being called "pungent" by the bartender and having a couple of low life types tell us to "try soap and water" we assumed NJ was not going to be friendly and we should just try to hike right on through.
We went next door to a family restaurant, and we were treated WORLDS different!! The bartender was super nice to us, they had a hiker log, and we met some really friendly and interesting locals. We actually befreinded a man named Chris, whose family (wife Sandra and son Jullian) took us in and gave us an AC filled room to sleep and showers and whatnot. They have been really great, and we're getting ready to take off from their house now. They treated us amazingly, and we had a good time drinkin with chris and hanging out with Jullian! New Jersey has started to redeem itself with people like this!!
Well, all for now! We should be able to update sooner next time!!
Anyways, we made it into Port Clinton, PA and Jesse came to pick us up and take us to Pittsburg for a couple days. We stayed at the Port Clinton Motel, which was another bar with rooms, but we had a blast meeting and talking to the regulars there. The bartender Ed was great! The girls met us up there, along with Eric's brother and his fiancee. I finally have met his family!! His brother, Eli, and fiancee, Julie, were very nice and we had a blast in the city! We played a little frisbee golf, we walked around downtown (or rather in the REI), and hit up a few bars our last night there. We stayed with Jesse's sister and cousin who lived in the city. It was really fun, and I know Eric really enjoyed getting to see Eli!
So, the four of us (me, Eric, Left It, and Speakeasy... and her dog Claire, so five really) are back on the trail together, which makes things so much easier! We've continuously battled the rocks of PA and we're so excited to be done!! We crossed the border into New Jersey a couple days ago. New Jersey has been interesting so far. Our first stop in the state is here. There were a couple taverns and restaurants around the intersection with the trail. The first place we went to, we were told (very rudely) that we would have to stay outside if we wanted anything. We left JYBS (the name of the place), with a foul taste and were starting to think that NJ was going to be just as sterotypical as its played out to be. After being called "pungent" by the bartender and having a couple of low life types tell us to "try soap and water" we assumed NJ was not going to be friendly and we should just try to hike right on through.
We went next door to a family restaurant, and we were treated WORLDS different!! The bartender was super nice to us, they had a hiker log, and we met some really friendly and interesting locals. We actually befreinded a man named Chris, whose family (wife Sandra and son Jullian) took us in and gave us an AC filled room to sleep and showers and whatnot. They have been really great, and we're getting ready to take off from their house now. They treated us amazingly, and we had a good time drinkin with chris and hanging out with Jullian! New Jersey has started to redeem itself with people like this!!
Well, all for now! We should be able to update sooner next time!!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
From Harper's Ferry, WV to Boiling Springs, PA (06/28-07/04)
Wow! What a TOUGH week! Eric, Mr. Tea, and I completed the four state challenge!! We started hiking at 1:30 in the morning on monday and finished at 11:30 that night. It was 43.4 miles, though we probably hiked a couple extra miles (to get water, check out a view or two, and we went down the wrong road at one point in the dark). It was really hard, but luckily Left It had her dad's car for the day and helped us out by bringing food and gatorade and whatnot. Her and Speakeasy's encouragement helped a lot. We took it easy after that because our bodies would have revolted if we hadn't! Mr. Tea left the next day-- he's going home to work while we hike the state of PA (since he lives here and can finish it later). Its a bummer to lose him even for a little while!
So, Chicken Pot Pie is temporarily reduced to 4. We hiked into Boiling Springs and my dad and Karen drove up from South Carolina to spend the 4th of July weekend with us!! We've had a blast hanging out with them! They got us a room for the weekend at a Sleep Inn (which is WAY nicer than anything we're use to staying in) and brought us normal clothes and my computer :) We also were fed very well this weekend, thanks to the Cracker Barrel next door!
We actually went to the Hershey Amusement Park today to celebrate the 4th! It was great!! We spent the day riding coasters and eating delicious carnival type food. Surprisingly the amusement park isn't full of chocolate. I was expecting to dance in chocolate fountain or something!! :) Anyways, its been a great weekend getting to see family again. The rest was well needed after that challenge! (I don't think I'll ever recommend anyone do it... though I don't regret it). We feel encouraged and energized and we're ready for the rest!!
The girls are leaving tomorrow for a week in order to work as well. It should be interesting for Eric and I to hike and camp alone again for a week. Our group has been together since Hot Springs!! I'm really looking forward to a little time alone though, but we do look forward to having the group back soon!
In financial news, we should be alright from here on out as long as we're better about not spending so much time in towns! We have our usual errands we have to run (laundry, a shower, and grocery shopping)... but we've decided we have to get into town early so we can get back on the trail and not get a hotel room! We also had some help from both family and some friends who know how thankful we are!
Well, that's all for now, and I can't wait for part 2!
So, Chicken Pot Pie is temporarily reduced to 4. We hiked into Boiling Springs and my dad and Karen drove up from South Carolina to spend the 4th of July weekend with us!! We've had a blast hanging out with them! They got us a room for the weekend at a Sleep Inn (which is WAY nicer than anything we're use to staying in) and brought us normal clothes and my computer :) We also were fed very well this weekend, thanks to the Cracker Barrel next door!
We actually went to the Hershey Amusement Park today to celebrate the 4th! It was great!! We spent the day riding coasters and eating delicious carnival type food. Surprisingly the amusement park isn't full of chocolate. I was expecting to dance in chocolate fountain or something!! :) Anyways, its been a great weekend getting to see family again. The rest was well needed after that challenge! (I don't think I'll ever recommend anyone do it... though I don't regret it). We feel encouraged and energized and we're ready for the rest!!
The girls are leaving tomorrow for a week in order to work as well. It should be interesting for Eric and I to hike and camp alone again for a week. Our group has been together since Hot Springs!! I'm really looking forward to a little time alone though, but we do look forward to having the group back soon!
In financial news, we should be alright from here on out as long as we're better about not spending so much time in towns! We have our usual errands we have to run (laundry, a shower, and grocery shopping)... but we've decided we have to get into town early so we can get back on the trail and not get a hotel room! We also had some help from both family and some friends who know how thankful we are!
Well, that's all for now, and I can't wait for part 2!
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