Mary's Point

19 September 2009

Took a short side hike to Mary's Point in Shenandoah National Park.  It was late afternoon, and the views were excellent.  Also there were another couple from the Washington, DC area, and a famIly with daughter.  We all said hello to each other, and the young girl said "Ni Hao".  Huh?  So, talked back to her in Chinese.  Then her (non-Chinese) parents also spoke in Chinese. Finally, the other couple also spoke in Chinese!

Turns out that the family adopted a girl from Hunan Provence.  Before visiting China, they took language lessons.  As for the DC couple, he had lived for several months in China.

And there we were on a mountaintop in the USA, with only the girl of Chinese nationality, but all speaking some of the language!

Here is our group photo:

The Remaking of a Hiker's Body

An earlier post talked about getting hiking legs.  After 1,300 miles, the body evolves further.  It focuses development on what is absolutely required for the task and little else.  This means shrinking from the waist up and growing from the waist down.  As before, the challenge is to feed enough fuel to the body to enable it to perform as needed.  Recent daily distances hiked include many over 20 miles and up to 26.6 miles.  My estimate is that 4,000 to 5,000 calories are needed - far more than can be carried.  Visits to town  become very important as they offer an opportunity to eat high fat and high calorie foods not easily carried on the trail.  Pizza and Milkshakes, here I come!

Front Royal, VA and the Birdhouse Collection

18 September 2009

Here is a collection of innovative birdhouses that are on a porch in Front Royal, VA.  You can see more at http://markandpatsadventures.shutterfly.com/

Harpers Ferry, WV reunion with Pat

14 September 2009

Sure was nice to see Pat after a long time apart. We stayed in a nice B&B overlooking the river, cooked a fantastic meal of steak, fresh corn, and salad, and had more than one celebratory drink.

The next day we visited the Appalachian Trail Conservancy office headquarters down the street. They have a registry of all long distance hikers. So now my photo is officially in their book. Number 43 southbound thru hiker this year, not too bad!

Although we delayed departure as long as possible, eventually it was time to part... before I changed my mind about continuing the hike (just joking).

Harpers Ferry, WV reunion with Pat

14 September 2009

Sure was nice to see Pat after a long time apart. We stayed in a nice B&B overlooking the river, cooked a fantastic meal of steak, fresh corn, and salad, and had more than one celebratory drink.

The next day we visited the Appalachian Trail Conservancy office headquarters down the street. They have a registry of all long distance hikers. So now my photo is officially in their book. Number 43 southbound thru hiker this year, not too bad!

Although we delayed departure as long as possible, eventually it was time to part... before I changed my mind about continuing the hike (just joking).

Halfway Points on the trail

How many "half way" points can you have? It turns out that there are three...

1. The "traditional" halfway point. Many years the trail is re-routed somewhere and the exact mid-point moves. A sign has been at the traditional midpoint for several years now.

2. The mathematically correct mid-point. A new sign is being erected. Here is a picture of me next to the temporary sign.

3. The psychological mid-point which is Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The ATC (Appalachian Trail Conservancy) office is located there and they take your picture and note your name is a book. It is about 40 miles south of the exact point, but they can't just move the ATC office every year, can they?

Halfway Points on the trail

How many "half way" points can you have? It turns out that there are three...

1. The "traditional" halfway point. Many years the trail is re-routed somewhere and the exact mid-point moves. A sign has been at the traditional midpoint for several years now.

2. The mathematically correct mid-point. A new sign is being erected. Here is a picture of me next to the temporary sign.

3. The psychological mid-point which is Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The ATC (Appalachian Trail Conservancy) office is located there and they take your picture and note your name is a book. It is about 40 miles south of the exact point, but they can't just move the ATC office every year, can they?

Ironmasters Mansion and the Underground Railroad

This hostel was once the mansion occupied by the manager of the adjacent Pine Grove Ironworks. He also wanted to help slaves travel to freedom in the northern states. There are three false basements in addition to the large "official" basement. The house was built with many confusing corridors so if the men came looking for escaped slaves they would get turned around and miss the fact that the basement they searched was not the only one. There are two exterior walls with two round windows each, one wall is pictured here. There were no trees around the house at that time. Wood was used to make charcoal to feed the iron furnace operation, so the house was visible from a distance. The round windows were lit up at night to signal when it was safe for the escaped slaves to approach the house. This was a stop on the Underground Railroad".
Today, you can stay here and enjoy the adjacent State Park.

Ironmasters Mansion and the Underground Railroad

This hostel was once the mansion occupied by the manager of the adjacent Pine Grove Ironworks. He also wanted to help slaves travel to freedom in the northern states. There are three false basements in addition to the large "official" basement. The house was built with many confusing corridors so if the men came looking for escaped slaves they would get turned around and miss the fact that the basement they searched was not the only one. There are two exterior walls with two round windows each, one wall is pictured here. There were no trees around the house at that time. Wood was used to make charcoal to feed the iron furnace operation, so the house was visible from a distance. The round windows were lit up at night to signal when it was safe for the escaped slaves to approach the house. This was a stop on the Underground Railroad".
Today, you can stay here and enjoy the adjacent State Park.

Big Brother is Watching

Counting the number of hikers who walk past this infrared sensor...

Big Brother is Watching

Counting the number of hikers who walk past this infrared sensor...

AT Photos - Part 6

The sun setting and moon rising during a steep decent into Palmerton, PA.Some nice views from the ridge line in Pennsylvania. People come here to look for Birds of Prey.The first leaves are changing color. A particularly nice stretch of trail in southern PA. This Black Racer snake was right next to the trail with his head up watching me walk by.
Another creature in the woods.

AT Photos - Part 6

The sun setting and moon rising during a steep decent into Palmerton, PA.Some nice views from the ridge line in Pennsylvania. People come here to look for Birds of Prey.The first leaves are changing color. A particularly nice stretch of trail in southern PA. This Black Racer snake was right next to the trail with his head up watching me walk by.
Another creature in the woods.

Shoes, Miles, Rocks, Shin Splints

After New York State, my first pair of hiking boots were worn out. After talking with the salesman (who has already thru-hiked the AT), we decided that a lighter pair of shoes - more like running shoes but with a stiffer sole - would be the way to go. Bought a pair of Italian made (yep, not made in China) Scarpa hiking shoes.

The trail from New York onwards flattened out (compared to the northern trail), so started picking up the daily distance to 15-25 miles per day.

Then, until Duncannon, PA, the trail ran on a lot of rocky ridge lines. Think of it as a painful massage on the feet for 12 hours a day. Eventually the soles of the feet start going numb.

Somehow as a result of all this, shin splints started when in western New Jersey. By the time I reached Palmerton, PA, it was difficult to walk at all. Fortunately with some rest (one day), ace bandages, and Vitamin I (Ibuprofen), the pain went away within the next week.

Whew!! Challenges every step of the way!

Shoes, Miles, Rocks, Shin Splints

After New York State, my first pair of hiking boots were worn out. After talking with the salesman (who has already thru-hiked the AT), we decided that a lighter pair of shoes - more like running shoes but with a stiffer sole - would be the way to go. Bought a pair of Italian made (yep, not made in China) Scarpa hiking shoes.

The trail from New York onwards flattened out (compared to the northern trail), so started picking up the daily distance to 15-25 miles per day.

Then, until Duncannon, PA, the trail ran on a lot of rocky ridge lines. Think of it as a painful massage on the feet for 12 hours a day. Eventually the soles of the feet start going numb.

Somehow as a result of all this, shin splints started when in western New Jersey. By the time I reached Palmerton, PA, it was difficult to walk at all. Fortunately with some rest (one day), ace bandages, and Vitamin I (Ibuprofen), the pain went away within the next week.

Whew!! Challenges every step of the way!

Hiking in New Jersey

Many hikers are surprised in a positive way when they hike through New Jersey - unless they hit the height of mosquito season. The trail initially runs along the top of a ridge before turning northwest through rolling hills, farmland, and bogs.

The Pochuck Boardwalk is a one mile section of the trail which runs through a flood plan near Vernon, NJ. Walking through in the late afternoon, there was abundant bird life. Here is a 2001 picture taken by Ed Goodell.

Further west, the trail descends into a water filled valley which is now the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge. It is packed with wildlife, especially of the winged variety.

As the trail reaches the northwest corner of the state, it climbs onto another long ridge line. At the peak is Highpoint State Park and it's tower which can be seen for miles.

At this point the trail turns southerly to the Delaware Water Gap. Being a ridge line, it is quite rocky. Rocky are of all sizes and cover everything. Views are good, and many people are surprised at the amount of wildlife present. Actually, the wildlife has been pushed to this area from the highly developed and populated state. From here and down through the first half of Pennsylvania, there are a number of people who visit in search of BOP (Birds of Prey).

On reaching the Delaware Water Gap, friends Mark & Martha hosted me at their nearby home for a huge "hiker dinner" and plenty of stories to go around. It is always nice to see friends both new and old for a short break in the walk.

Hiking in New Jersey

Many hikers are surprised in a positive way when they hike through New Jersey - unless they hit the height of mosquito season. The trail initially runs along the top of a ridge before turning northwest through rolling hills, farmland, and bogs.

The Pochuck Boardwalk is a one mile section of the trail which runs through a flood plan near Vernon, NJ. Walking through in the late afternoon, there was abundant bird life. Here is a 2001 picture taken by Ed Goodell.

Further west, the trail descends into a water filled valley which is now the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge. It is packed with wildlife, especially of the winged variety.

As the trail reaches the northwest corner of the state, it climbs onto another long ridge line. At the peak is Highpoint State Park and it's tower which can be seen for miles.

At this point the trail turns southerly to the Delaware Water Gap. Being a ridge line, it is quite rocky. Rocky are of all sizes and cover everything. Views are good, and many people are surprised at the amount of wildlife present. Actually, the wildlife has been pushed to this area from the highly developed and populated state. From here and down through the first half of Pennsylvania, there are a number of people who visit in search of BOP (Birds of Prey).

On reaching the Delaware Water Gap, friends Mark & Martha hosted me at their nearby home for a huge "hiker dinner" and plenty of stories to go around. It is always nice to see friends both new and old for a short break in the walk.

The Mayor's House

25 August 2009, Unionville, New York

Just over the state border where the trail runs through northern New Jersey is the well known "Mayor's House". The former mayor of this small town noticed several years ago that long distance hikers were often in town during the summer. Although interesting to talk with, they were typically dirty and in need of a shower and a place to stay. So initially, he got the town to agree to let them camp in the city park. In the evenings he would talk with his wife (who stayed at home due to illness) about the interesting but smelly encounters. Soon, he was inviting them to come up to his house for a shower before returning to the city park to camp. Later, his wife passed on and he started thinking - why should they have to tramp up and down the hill? They could camp in the back yard. The final step came last year when he built some bunk beds in the basement of his middle class home and invited people to stay inside.

Here is the Mayor and his dog.

These days when you arrive, the Mayor not only provides a place to stay, but a filling "hiker's dinner" and the next morning a full breakfast!! No wonder he is known up and down the trail and everyone looks forward to staying there.

One more thing - in the evening everyone is required to watch 2 videos. What are they about? One is about a winner in the contest "Britain's Got Talent, another about two thru hikers who celebrate their 60th birthday's on the trail. Many hikers must later remember these stories when the tough times and challenges arrive - as they surely will.

Thanks Mayor - you are a huge contributor to the Trail Culture!

The Mayor's House

25 August 2009, Unionville, New York

Just over the state border where the trail runs through northern New Jersey is the well known "Mayor's House". The former mayor of this small town noticed several years ago that long distance hikers were often in town during the summer. Although interesting to talk with, they were typically dirty and in need of a shower and a place to stay. So initially, he got the town to agree to let them camp in the city park. In the evenings he would talk with his wife (who stayed at home due to illness) about the interesting but smelly encounters. Soon, he was inviting them to come up to his house for a shower before returning to the city park to camp. Later, his wife passed on and he started thinking - why should they have to tramp up and down the hill? They could camp in the back yard. The final step came last year when he built some bunk beds in the basement of his middle class home and invited people to stay inside.

Here is the Mayor and his dog.

These days when you arrive, the Mayor not only provides a place to stay, but a filling "hiker's dinner" and the next morning a full breakfast!! No wonder he is known up and down the trail and everyone looks forward to staying there.

One more thing - in the evening everyone is required to watch 2 videos. What are they about? One is about a winner in the contest "Britain's Got Talent, another about two thru hikers who celebrate their 60th birthday's on the trail. Many hikers must later remember these stories when the tough times and challenges arrive - as they surely will.

Thanks Mayor - you are a huge contributor to the Trail Culture!