Joe's AT Adventure

2006-11-10T17:21:00.000-05:00

Hi gang, this is it. I'm done posting on the blog. It was fun and I can't thank Lisa enough for all her hard work in setting it up and maintaining it while I was just walking. If anyone cares to see more pictures, just e-mail me.... or have me over for a beer or two and I'll show you the entire album..... thanks again for all your support and kind words
Joe

2006-11-10T17:16:00.000-05:00

2006-11-10T16:58:00.000-05:00

A great view in New York....... then a trip down into the dungeon where George Washington supposedly hid from the British in Pine Grove Furnace, VA.

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Me hitching out of Gorham, and me trying my hand at the "half challange. Half gal Ice cream in half an our at the AT half way point in Pine Grove Furnace

2006-11-07T17:50:00.000-05:00

Hi gang, This is my last post for the blog. I am back to my pre-hike weight and I guess I got to get on with my life. Just a few more pictures

2006-11-07T17:20:00.000-05:00

Shelters in the Smokys ... notice the chain link fence..keeping the bear out. Then Blood Mtn shelter in Georgia. Cold nite and lots of mice
Blood Mtn Shelter. in Georgia a stone building full of mice and very cold. Then a shelter with a shower and a phone to call for pizza!!

2006-09-24T10:02:00.000-04:00

HI GANG, It's been a while since I got into the blog, so here goes. I will do a couple of more entries hoping not to bore anyone. I'll take suggestions for other picture topics for the next entry.

2006-09-24T09:48:00.000-04:00

Landmarks --- Bear Mtn Monument, just over the Hudson River in NY. The old Iron Furnace at Pine Grove Furnace, PA. The original Washington Monument in western Maryland. The largest "Boiling Spring" in America in Boiling Springs, PA. Fontana Dam in NC.

2006-09-24T09:36:00.000-04:00

Characters --- "Stinky" in the middle of an AT challange. Ork & Bean at the laundry with a mail drop of food. Buckaroo & Pacemaker in the shuttle van at Fontana Dam, NC. "The Wanderers" at a road crossing in Hiawassee GA. "Bag-o-Tricks" (center) telling one of his many AT stories in Port Clinton PA.

2006-09-24T09:18:00.000-04:00

More Characters---Mr O'Brien of Gull Pond hostel, Rangeley, ME. My first hiking partner, Long Haul at Neel's gap. My girl friend, Olive at her house in York, PA. Cool Hand and Tecomsah at Ice Water shelter in the Smoky Mts.

2006-09-24T09:03:00.000-04:00

Hostels--- Glowworm & Gary at Parafin station, Front Royal VA. Wild Bill at Uncle Henry's hostel in Ervin Tn. Breakfast (french toast casarole) at Bear's Den hostel in W.Virginia. Gary, Lennie and I at the Blueberry Patch in Hiawassee Ga. Woods Hole Hostel just before Pearisburg VA.

2006-09-24T08:45:00.000-04:00

Firsts -- First Blaze, first shelter, first snow, first hostel. And first long distance train ride

2006-08-30T14:22:00.000-04:00

Just a quick swim in East Ceary pond Me and the crew at the Harrison Hostel just south of the Kennebec River. Famous 12 pancake breakfast
First real view of Katahdin

Just another great view in the 100 mile wilderness

2006-08-30T11:08:00.000-04:00

Some of the "AT youngsters "waited at the top for the old man to arrive
Final white blaze with Lisa and LizFinal approach
Me with a couple of good guys

2006-08-29T10:40:00.000-04:00

Hi Y'all,
I'm home and haven't stopped eating since I arrived. Its really cool, you open the refrigerator, (thats that big white thing in the kitchen) and a light comes on to show you all kinds of free cold food to eat. You can even heat it up if you want. There's a big black thing in the living room with knobs on it and the word "Panasonic Television" but I haven't figured out what its for yet. I just know I can't eat it.
I'm wearing Lisa's blue jeans cause I think I could fit two of me into my own. My waist is probably about 28". If I don't write an AT adventure book, I'll probably invent the newest diet craze. "The M.Doer AT Diet".
I'll be posting and labelling pictures on the blog in the next few days and I hope to chat with you all soon. Thats it for now, got to go see what else is in the frig!!

Joe

2006-08-23T23:18:00.000-04:00

FIFTY MILES TO GO!!!!!

Hi all,

Joe called today; for the first time, he can SEE Katahdin. Its still fifty miles away, but its no longer just a little triangle on the map. We're headed up this weekend to hike the last few miles with him, celebrate, and bring him home.

Lisa

2006-08-18T22:28:00.000-04:00

Almost home!!!!!Sign on the AT at border

2006-08-18T22:24:00.000-04:00

The "Barn" hostel in Gorham, Sleeper standing, Scoot, with his hands in the air summited Katahdin with me on Sunday, Two NH 100 milers at the Gull Pond Hostel in Rangeley
I thought about turning left here,
A typical view from the trail in Maine

2006-08-18T22:16:00.000-04:00

Mr OBrien - of Gull Hostel in Rangeley Me. With legs like that, hitching wasn't even a challenge. Leaving Gorham going rte 2 east back to the trailhead.
View of the Mahoosek range

2006-08-14T14:02:00.000-04:00

Lonesome Lake, heading out for the day. Pretty sure this is from Lonesome Lake......Lisa

2006-08-14T13:36:00.000-04:00

"Mystic" in full costume on Wildcat by the gondola

Tim Kennedy found me between Carter hut and Carter Dome
Dana giving me final instructions before he walked down the nineteen mile brook trail and I continued along to Carter hut and the Carter Mariah trail to Gorham Joe and brother-in-law Dana

2006-08-14T13:28:00.000-04:00

Trail junction just south of Zealand hut Rt. 302 just heading up into the "Prezzy's"(the presidentials)
337.4 Miles to go......They were out of Mt Washington Chili.!!so I left at 4:15 and walked all the way to Madison Hut Got there at 7:45 and got a free meal and slept under a dining room table in exchange for washing dishes for the 48 overnight guests!

Typical day at top of Washington.

2006-08-14T13:06:00.000-04:00

"Tater, Nifty, Skunk and me at Zealand hut having cake and lemonade A look at Eisenhower from Clinton/Pierce
Not sure where? Can anyone help me with this one?

2006-08-11T13:08:00.000-04:00

Hi gang, its me. I'm in Rangeley ME. Its Friday the 10th and I have but 220 miles to go! I'm stayiing here in town tonight at a hostel on the lake. Gonna go back into town tonite to see if I can't knock some sense into those Sox as I watch a game. My planned summit (Katahdin) date is Sunday Aug 27th.
I would love to share this event with anyone who could make their way up here.
Thats all for now,,, I want to label some of the pictures that Lisa has put on the site.

See ya soon
Joe

2006-08-10T16:10:00.000-04:00

Mouselauke

back on the trail after a nice time at the cabin

Back on the trail after a few days at the cabin (headed for the Kinsmans)

2006-08-10T16:07:00.000-04:00

drying socks

nice chat with a former thru hiker "lone wolf" at rutland vt
Franconia ridge
Lafayette in the distance

2006-08-07T10:33:00.000-04:00

R&R at White Lake State Park.....
Greetings: I picked Joe up at Pinkham Notch Visitors Center last Monday, and he spent a few days with us camping at White Lake, eating (and drinking) plenty of carbs....and just in time for the Sox to begin their usual August plunge in the standings. His thru hiker friends thought it was pretty funny that he spent time off the trail.....sleeping in a tent. Anyway, he was back on the trail last Friday, with great weather for a change.

In this version of "Where's Waldo (Mountain Doer)?": For all you familiar with the AT, Joe spent last night at Imp Shelter. He's crossing a state border today. He also has an ETA for Katahdin (email coming soon).

In response to some of your questions: YES, he would welcome company at or near the end of his hike. If any of you have hiked Katahdin, and have info about the best place to meet, please email me or Joe so we can share it with those interested. If anyone is REAL familiar with Katahdin, and wants to help coordinate something, let me know. No idea how cell phone service is in Baxter State Park, but I'm guessing it will be sparse, making this a challenging endeavor.

Lisa

Lisa

2006-08-06T21:56:00.000-04:00

More pics from MA (I think)

2006-07-16T18:11:00.000-04:00

Hi everybody! The two postings of pictures below are from Greylock. Its hard to believe he's made it this far, and is still optimistic and enthusiastic. I hiked down from the top of Greylock Friday morning to meet up with him, then hiked to the top with him in very heavy drizzle/rain. In the short time I was on the trail (about an hour) I was drenched. I can't imagine doing this when, at times, it rains for several days and nights straight. Wednesday will be the four month anniversary of his departure from the Amtrak station. Thank you to all of his many friends and family members who have kept him going with all their encouragement! Lisa

2006-07-16T18:03:00.000-04:00

Headed North again....back on the trail headed down Greylock
Bascomb Lodge. Honeymoon suite was on the main floor around the back
Friday morning
Picture just before Joe started out again.
Very weird weather on Friday.

2006-07-16T17:53:00.000-04:00

Pictures from Greylock. Anyone remember the scene in Close Encounters of the Third Kind where the little kid was boarding the ship?
Joe trying to figure out the day's mileage as he continues northbound on Friday

The view from Mt Greylock
Looking down into North Adams

2006-07-14T14:31:00.000-04:00

Hi gang, Its Friday, july 14 and I'm in Williamstown Ma. Going to be sleeping in Vermont tonite. Sorry its so long between postings, but I've been kind of busy walking lately. Completed Mass in about 5 days where I found the worst mosquitos yet on the trail. I've been putting them in all my cooked meals for protein.

About a week of hiking coming up in VT then finally into familiar territory---NH.

Mt Greylock was nice especially since Lisa was there too! A couple of days of heavy rain didn't dampen my spirits and it kept the bugs away for a while.

New York and Conn were nice even though it rained a lot there too. Conn has lots of restrictions about camping and fires. No fires anywhere along the AT!

I'll go into the picture file to label some of the shots.

See you all later,

Joe

2006-07-09T14:28:00.000-04:00

WELCOME TO MASS, JOE!!!!

2006-07-09T14:25:00.000-04:00

Bear Mtn monument in NY just over the Bear mtn bridge over the Hudson River Me trying to dry out in a shelter near Palmerton PA. Everything was soaked
Silverback, Me, Hui and Wooden Sticks in Boiling Springs PA

Palmerton PA Midday temps

2006-07-09T14:19:00.000-04:00

The official half-way point of the trail just north of Pine Grove Furnace PA

Fellow "middle aged" hiker Wondering Bill.
At Pine Grove Furnace, this is a secret crawlspace in the main building where it is said that "George Washington Hid Here" from the British troops
A privy in the woods with a flush handle on it. Comical-- I tried flushing, but nothing happened, maybe I should have giggled it.
Giand chess set at Pine Grove Furnace Hostel This is where the 1\2 way challenge takes place---Eat a 1\2 gallon of Ice cream in 1\2 hour. I didn't quite make it-- and there is always another thru hiker close by to finish off the ice cream for you.

2006-07-09T14:09:00.000-04:00

Rt 80 over the Delaware River
Looking kind of slim by the NJ border
Hostel in Delaware Water Gap on the PA NJ border just before the Delaware river

My friend Olive at her house in York PA where she was nice enough to let me pitch in her back yard. She her husband and daughter took me out to breakfast the next morning MMMM RR tunnel in NJ
In Palmerton PA, this is the top of a hill where chemicals from a coal plant were spread thru this area in the 60's or 70's causing all vegitation to die. Wierd area

HQ of AT in Harper's Ferry W.Virginia

2006-07-06T22:55:00.000-04:00

Hi all,

I'm remiss in my duties as picture poster/email info person. Right now, I have three CDs of pictures I have yet to load into my computer and edit and post to the blog. Since I'm currently in NH (where the Internet is powered by squirrels...those of you who live in NH know what I'm talking about) I will wait til I get home next week to catch up.

It was great seeing Joe when he came home to surprise Laura at her graduation party. She was truly shocked!

Lisa

2006-07-03T16:27:00.000-04:00

Hi gang, Its me. I am sitting at home in Taunton right now taking a few zero days thanks to the kindness of Lauren Sartori. She picked me up at the trail in NY and lent me her car to come home and share in Laura's graduation party.

I am currently (july 3) one days hike from the Ct border. 1450 miles behind me and about 725 to go. The past week has by far been the most trying time with all the rain and flooding. There were times when we were walking - or should I say wading - in water up to our knees for long stretches of trail with no way around it. Very hard hiking, but still better than working.

I'll be back on the trail on Wednesday July 5th. Probably crossing into beautiful Mass. by Sunday or Monday. Until I reach a section of the trail just south of Mt Graylock, I still have not hiked any familiar territory. The entire trail up to that point is first time for me.

I hope to post more often now as I hope to be within reach of a computer more often.

Joe

2006-06-17T09:27:00.000-04:00

This is a shot of the Shenandoah River from the Virginia side just as I was finally leaving the 550 mile state!
About the size of a basketball
On top of a mtn in the Shenandoahs where there seems to be a mini amphitheater using old tractor seats ??

Hui and I getting free dinner and cokes at a campsite in Shenandoah park
In a shelter with "glowworm" and "chill-out"
sunset in the Shenandoahs
Hostel in Harper's ferry

2006-06-13T14:39:00.000-04:00

Hi gang, Its Tuesday, 6-13 and I'm taking a zero day here in Duncannon PA. This is a great hiker town and taking a zero lets me see lots of hikers who are just a bit behind me. people stay here for a few days to rest up and meet. I'm about 7 days ahead of schedule at this point and I'll probably get even more ahead as I am hiking more miles per day than I had planned for. The weather continues to be great, I understand you guys have had your share of rain.

The terrain has been pretty flat in PA with lots of farms and fields. I understand we're getting into a section now where there are lots of small rocks. Tough walking. But its still better than working.

I should be in NY by the end of June and Mass by the first of July if all goes well.

see ya later

2006-06-13T09:30:00.000-04:00

Hi Joe: FYI. Watch where you step! (From the AT Trailplace website)

"Just finished a little section hike in the PA rocks from Boiling Springs north to Port Clinton with my hiking pal II Cat. We encountered a rattle snake right on the trail just north of the Peters Mountain Shelter, which was no big thing until we realised that at least five other hikers had encountered rattlers near that same stretch in the course of several days. Just a friendly "heads up" to anyone heading for that vicinity."

2006-06-12T17:07:00.000-04:00

Not bad for an old man
This is a hostel on top of a mtn(i can't recall the name). It was the nicest one yet. $23 bucks got a bunk, internet access, a pizza, a coke, unlimited long distance calls and a breakfast!

Sorry, Joe...had to sneak this one in! Don't worry, we drank your share of Fosters for you. XOXOXOX

These would be referred to as "showering girls" on the trail

This is Stinky. He is wierd. this is his version of scissorhands. I think he peed his pants before he finished them.

In Shenandoah park, the deer are nice enough to pose.
Finally out of Virginia after over 500 miles and 5 weeks.
Lots of black snakes right on the trail daring you to step on them
Free tent site behind the "Y". Got to shower and use the pool too. This is in Waynesboro VA.Just before the Shenandoah Park

2006-06-03T07:48:00.000-04:00

Sorry I missed Graduation, but thanks for the pictures. Great job Laura!!

2006-06-02T22:33:00.000-04:00

Hi Dad!!!!!

2006-06-02T21:21:00.000-04:00

This is a view of Catawba from the top of "Dragon's Tooth" a rock knob.
One of several rock ledges with another great view---reminded me of Webster Cliff trail in NH.
Mother's Day at the Home Place Restaurant waiting in a Gazebo with "Mo" for the AYCE buffet . It was certainly worth the wait. It poured all day and the owner let all 15 of us pitch our tents in his yard after the restaurant closed for the evening This is "Trail Magic"- - where a non-hiker, often a former thru hiker will leave goodies in a cooler for thru hikers to help themselves to. Cokes, candy etc. The hanging bag is for us to get rid of our accumulated pack trash. Every ounce off your back helps.
This is the continental divide. Most all rivers west of here flow eventually to the Gulf of Mexico where those east of here flow to the Atlantic.
Audie Murphy, a war hero and film star died here in a plane crash.

2006-06-02T18:48:00.000-04:00

Joe's AT Adventure

Hi everyone, Its Friday night the 2nd of June and I'm staying at Bear's Den hostel. I'm just a few miles from the Virginia state line, then a few miles of West Virginia at Harpers ferry, then into Maryland. My hearing is good, despite what Lisa says. After a week of walking, my toes are happy.
I saw some interesting things the last few days in the Shenandoahs. Several deer with young. a few big black snakes sunning themselves right on the trail daring me to step on them. But by far the coolest was a bobcat. He was about 20-30 ft in front of me when we both saw each other at the same time. He took off in the woods with three quick leaps without making a sound. It happened too fast for me to even get scared.
Probably take a zero in Harpers Ferry and take in some of the history.
Thats all for now.

2006-05-26T14:47:00.000-04:00

Hi all: As of today (Thursday) Joe is back on the trail. (Somehow the MDs suggestion of 2-3 days rest got translated in Joe's mind as "one and a half days rest". And he thinks I'M the one who's hearing impaired????? Anyway, he's armed with Keflex, Neosporin and Hydrogen Peroxide, and hopefully he'll seek medical attention SOONER if it happens again. In case you are interested in the pathophysiology of trench foot, here is some good information (and a scary picture.....just in case you're not taking this seriously, darling. Warning....picture is seriously gross!) http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWfoot.htm I just arrived in NH, and as I was driving toward Twin Mountain, I could see the (still snow covered) Presidentials in the distance. Hard to believe in just a couple of months, he'll be hiking across Rt. 302 just a short distance from here!

2006-05-25T13:44:00.000-04:00

Got this sent to me by one of my faculty colleagues (Thanks, AM!) and though Joe (and the rest of you) would enjoy it....

In Pharmacology, all drugs have two names, a trade name and generic name. For example, the trade name of Tylenol also has a generic name of Acetaminophen. Aleve is also called Naproxen. Amoxil is also calledAmoxicillin and Advil is also called Ibuprofen. The FDA has been looking for a generic name for Viagra. After careful consideration by a team of government experts, it recently announced that it has settled on the generic name of Mycoxafloppin. Also considered were Mycoxafailin, Mydixadrupin, Mydixarizin, Dixafix, and of course, Ibepokin. Pfizer Corp. announced today that Viagra will soon be available in liquid form, and will be marketed by Pepsi Cola as a power beverage suitable for use as a mixer. It will now be possible for a man to literally pour himself a stiff one. Obviously we can no longer call this a soft drink, and it gives new meaning to the names of "cocktails", "highballs" and just a good old-fashioned "stiff drink". Pepsi will market the new concoction by the name of: MOUNT & DO.

2006-05-25T11:49:00.000-04:00

Hi gang,
I had an unexpected lay-over here in waynesboro. I woke up wednesday with very sore and swollen toes. They are infected, so i'm on anti-biotics for 10 days and have to stay off my feet for a couple of days. It could be worse, it could be raining.
I plan on heading out sometime on Friday.

This is a cool town, and its kind of nice to stop and let some old faces catch up that I haven't seen in a while. I'll probably have a full role of pictures just from Waynesboro.

I met a few hikers who are planning on "Aqua-blazing" thru the Shenandoahs. They will be canoeing thru. I thought that was a really neat idea. There isn't a lot of elevation variation thru the park once you make the innitial climb, so that might be a nice way to get thru. I'll be walking thru.

Thats all for now, I may post one more time before leaving town tomorrow.......later

Joe

2006-05-23T17:52:00.000-04:00

Hi Y'all. Its really me. Sorry I've been so long in writing but i've been kind of busy lately, with trying to decide what time to get out of the sack in the morning, to trying to figure out when to begin walking and what to have for lunch. All of those decisions are very stressful and all consuming. LOL

I am currently in the Waynesboro VA library and will try and bring you all up to date on my adventure and progress. I arrived here, which is just before the Shenandoah's this morning by hitching a 4 mile ride from the trail. I'm pitched on the YMCA lawn for the night where I got a hot shower all for free!

Most towns along the AT are very hiker friendly and you can usually find a free or cheap place to stay. The restaurants always offer AYCE deals for us and we surely take advantage of them. Just so you'll know, my last shower before this morning (tuesday) was last Monday in Daleville some 115 miles ago. so I was surely ready for one. I try and take one once a week whether I need one or not.

I have really been picking up the pace and have been hiking between 18 and 24 miles per day. I don't know if its that the terrain is a bit easier, or the body is a bit harder, or maybe a combo. I'm at 850 miles in just over two months which puts me a bit ahead of my schedule by about 4-5 days. Just 5 miles this morning to get into town -- a "nero day".

Trail Days, which is a 4 day event in Damascus just ended on Sunday, so many hikers who left their trail locations to be shuttled back down there for the weekend are now coming back, so I'm seeing a whole new set of people at the shelters at night. Evenings at the shelters are nice, you get to chat with people from all over. Young and old (like me). The majority of hikers are young, yet there are some really strong older folks too. I've been with a few guys lately, IRISH,ATOM,CONDUCTOR, who are all about my age and can do the 20+ miles. Irish & Atom are both former NY Marathon runners.

Well, enough blab for now, cause I want to get into the website and write some notes about some of the pics.

Joe

2006-05-23T13:04:00.000-04:00

Hi, its me. Just trying to put words with some of these pictures. joe

2006-05-23T09:59:00.000-04:00

Hi; Joe checked in, and is doing well and finally getting some nice weather. He should be in Waynesboro today (Tuesday) and is going to try to get to a library and post to the blog....or so he said!

2006-05-14T22:59:00.000-04:00

More VA pics.....This is actually a wedge from a cut tree that someone put spots on to look like a watermelon.

a long suspension bridge in NC just before the Virginial border.
Laurel Forks falls and creek. Really cool place, at high water time, you have to "blue blaze" this section. the AT is underwater

2006-05-14T22:30:00.000-04:00

How anyone can have fun in this much rain is
beyond me...it is still raining in VA. Here are
a few pics from VA; including trail friends....
BEER...laundromat picture, wild ponies.....

This beach picture was funny, I arrived here where there were about 10 people just hanging around. So I picked the cutest girl to hitch with me to town (about 15 miles away) and we picked up 2 cases of beer and 18 McDonalds double cheese burgers. The rest is history
This one is me having a refreshment in Pearisburg VA. I really do walk in the woods once in a while.
Finally, the first rhodies are coming out. First at low elevations where the sun can find them
The key is to wash ALL of your clothes. It may not be attractive, but it is functional. Rain pants and rain jacket.
Wild ponies on Greyson Highlands in S.Virginia. The terrain was similar to spots in Arizona that I have hiked

2006-05-11T20:10:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone. Just want to let you all know that Joe is alive and well and still slogging along. He had hoped to get into the office at the motel last night to get Internet access, but the lady had already gone home. He said definitely he will post when he gets to the next town (four days or so). He's also sending home his journal notes, along with some new pictures. The weather has sucked big time, but of course, he isn't even thinking about coming home. Lisa

2006-05-03T17:24:00.000-04:00

More pics from Damascus.....

Inside of the cabin

2006-05-03T12:49:00.000-04:00

Spring in Damascus!!!! Outside the Honeymoon Suite

From Lisa....

April 28: Plane ride to Damascus was uneventful; other than a long layover in Cincinatti (great airport for a layover, however) I got on the teeny jet for the short flight to Tricities Airport in Blountville/Johnson City/Some Other City that I Can't Remember in Tennessee. The plane was in the capable hands of pilot Skippy and copilot Buffy, no doubt having recently honed their flight skills on an X-Box. We landed in TN just in time for them both to get home before the street lights came on. Anyway, short walk to the rental car, half hour drive to Damascus (Mapquest said one hour, but maybe I was exceeding the speed limit by just a tad?) to find Joe standing outside the cabin waiting for me...a little thinner, a little more facial hair, but the same old Joe. Almost......

Now, those of you who know Joe understand that the name "Mr. Romance" would never be applied to him...HOWEVER...nothing like a six week separation to wake up the romance genes. He had hitchhiked fifteen miles to buy rum (Hey, Liz....BACARDI...can you believe Dad bought Bacardi???) and diet Coke, had made ice cubes, had bought a candle which was burning on the table, and had lit the fireplace. Now for those of you looking for video footage or pictures from that night will be disappointed. I took my friend Paris' advice...never record anything you don't want showing up on the Internet.

As far as the rest of the weekend (we actually did leave the cabin a couple of times), we had a short walk to the town via the Virginia Creeper Trail which ran right outside the back of the cabin along the river. Joe showed me "The Place", which was where he stayed two nights prior to my arrival. Which brings me to the title of the first chapter of my forthcoming book "While I'll Never Hike the Appalachian Trail....but Don't Mind if my Husband Does":

"HYGIENE" (or lack of). The stench that greeted me on the tour of "The Place" was indescribable. The only thing I can like it to was the odor that I encountered one unforgettable night when I floated to the ER, and helped the nurse cut the clothes off a homeless man who had lain unconscious for some time by the railroad tracks. YES, it was that bad. (Joe said that it really hadn't been that bad the night before, but perhaps it was only after he had had a shower himself and a couple of soaks in the Jacuzzi that he could notice it?) Anyway, if you're ever in Damascus, put "The Place" on your list of "Must See (but only from the outside)" tourist spots.

Anyway, got to meet a lot of Joe's new friends...Squirrel, Ballou, Silverback, Ork, Beanie, Natty Boh...all very interesting characters. The town of Damascus can be best described as Cooperstown for hikers...except 1/10 of the size. How they are going to accomodate 30,000 people during "Trail Days" in two weeks is beyond me. Spent some evenings at the Baja Cafe (cheap beer, so-so Mexican food) where I met T-Snake (more on him later), and also Dots (friendly waitress/bartender/owner with a Southern accent so thick it was difficult to tell if she were speaking English). Hung out at the Mt. Rogers Outfitter (where I left my cell phone, only to have it found by an enterprising 12 year old who checked the "Recently Received Calls" list, called Jen in New Orleans, who called her father (we were sitting right across the street) to tell me to walk back to Mt. Rogers Outfitters to retrieve my phone from the 12 year old girl. Can you imagine that happening up here in New England?

Sunday night at the Baja, while Joe was up buying beers, I spent some time chatting with T-Snake (Zach, to the rest of the word) from Texas. He told me that he was keeping a 'blog' while on the trail...much easier than a website, and, more importantly, Joe could do the posting of entries himself. Sounded pretty good to me. So, I informed him when he returned with my Bud draft that I had "great news".....great news for me, that is....that he was now going to be a "blogger". I was underwhelmed by his enthusiasm for this new development.

Monday morning came quickly; drove Joe to the other end of Damascus to start the rest of his long walk home, and drove myself to the airport for the long flight home. Already looking forward to my next visit (I just can't figure out when that will be).

2006-05-03T08:30:00.000-04:00

Sign for AT, Damascus, VA and Lisa's last pic as I left Damascus

4/22: Got up early; rained all night but slowed in time for me to set out; planned on a 21 mile hike today to get back on schedule and did it!!! Staying at Apple Mtn. Shelter; everything is dry except my sox an boots. Gonna sleep later tommorrow; easy terrain and only 18 miles.
4/23: Made it to Moreland Shelter; did the 18 no problem. Was tempted to push on to a capsite six miles further byt me feet said NO. Here with "Jim" from Houston. We got the shelter to ourselves. Should be a quiet night. He says he doesn't snore. Then, just before dark, four more hikers showed up and the shelter was full.
4/25: Up early and did twenty miles including a great trek through Laurel Fork Falls: a nice river fork with falls and rapids and ended up at the beach at Waluausc Lake. Had a swim then hiked in to a shelter (2 more miles).
4/26: Planned on a 13 mile day skipping one shelter and leaving myself two more days to get to Damascus..but got talked into adding 8 more miles and staying at the next shelter where the rain got heavier. Pitched in the rain, ate in the rain, and slept in the rain. Woke up to more rain; so after packing a wet tent, eating cold oatmeal and poptarts, headed out to Damascus. Got to Damascus and got a "rack" at "The Place"; which is a hostel for thru hikers and homeless! Quite a place; no fee; just donations.
4/27: Had Mexican food last night and it sucked; I think its still in my stomach this afternoon; I guess I have to learn not to eat TOO much when in town. The temptation is too great to pig out; especially when someone else cooks, serves, and cleans; all you have to do is eat! Had a huge brekfast weating nothing but my rain jacket, rain pants and crocs; ALL of my clothes are in the wash; very attractive attire!
4/28: Got up from my second night sleeping at "The Place"; I swear it stunk more each day. Moved into the honeymoon cabin. Very nice cabin on the river. Hitched to Abingdon for a CVS and rum for Lisa. Four hour adventure. Lisa arrived around 7 pm, and that's all I'll say about THAT night....
4/29: Woke up noticeably more relaxed and fulfilled; Lisa looks great! Went into town, and she got to meet some of my hiking friends. Then drove into Abingdon; old historic town; lots of revolutionary war and civil war history. Came back to Damascus and had Mexican (again) and beers and hung out some more with the other thu hikers.

2006-05-02T23:04:00.000-04:00

4/12: After a great breakfast at Mtn Momma’s it was time to say goodbye to my Smokys hiking partner, Mike. I got shuttled back to the trail to resume my silly adventure while Mike got shuttled back to Ashville to fly home. I ended up doing 16.5 miles today ending at a campsite just beyond a large grassy summit. These are called "balds" not peaks. This one was called Max Patch and it was so large and flat that small planes can land on it. This was my first night pitching my tent in 5 nights ! Caught up with "Ork & Bean" from Alaska. Nice folks that happen to love Mac & Cheese, so I trade dinners with them every chance I get. This time it was M&C for a huge Mountain House beef stew dinner. I definitely got the better of that trade. Planning on 15+ miles tomorrow o a shelter close to Hot Springs NC so as to be close to go into town early the following morning to secure a place to stay for the next night.
4/13 Got a nice early start out of Max Patch + hiked alone the 16 miles to Deer Park shelter arriving at around 4:30 only to find the shelter empty with lots of comments in the shelter register about rats the size of cats and a resident bear. So I decided to push on into Hot Springs—another 4 miles –got a tent site and am planning a zero day tomorrow.
4/14 Having a great do-nothing day here in Hot Springs. Nice town where everything is within walking distance from my tent. Got my pack fixed then relaxed all afternoon. Picked up my mail drop box and repacked my pack. Had lots of pizza and a little beer--- or maybe the other way arround. Great zero day.
4/15 Back on the trail out of Hot Springs. Its always the same coming out of a town. Walking uphill out of a low elavation town carrying a restocked (heavy) pack and a bit out of shape. Maybe it was the beer?? Did just 11 miles to Spring Mtn Shelter-nice to be back in the quiet woods to sleep. No town noises.
4/16 Easter Sunday –An awesome day of hiking. The weather has been terrific and I realize that I have had but 4 or 5 bad weather days this entire trip thus far. The views today have been the best yet. The A.T council just completed a "relo" – a trail relocation taking the trail over a high ridge walk that gave unbelievable views in all directions. Hard climb- but well worth the effort. Two more nites in the woods before Erwin Tn and small re-supply then off to Damascus and LISA!
4/17 8am start today. Last nights shelter (I pitched) was empty when I went to sleep but full when I woke this morning. Lots of the young hikers like hiking late into the night. Doesn’t make any sense to me, but that’s just me. Packed up quickly fearing rain. Stopped later on to have a cold breakfast of pop tarts bagels and peanut butter. Mmmm. Sure enough, rain came around noon and stayed with me all afternoon. Heavy at times. Stopped raining in time to pitch at next shelter where there were 2 dogs in the shelter. I pitched a distance away. Planning my first 20+ mile day tomorrow.
4/18 830 start and 630 finish got me my first 20+ day on the trail. 20.8 to be exact. Nice day Stayed at ‘No Business Shelter with the loudest snorer I had ever heard (so I thought).
4/19 Woke up at 3am to thunder /lightning . Luckily I was in a shelter as it poured for the next 6 hours. Once the lightning stopped—not the rain, I decided to hike the 6.5 miles out to Erwin and a bunk room, laundry, real food and a shower. Got to Uncle Johnny’s Hostel around 11 am. And me and my clothes were clean my 100. Caught a free ride to town for an AYCE pizza lunch. Going back into town for the evening for Mexican and beer.
4/20 After mexican we had a great campfire in the backyard. Then it was early bed and back on the trail. Did 16.5 miles today. It was supposed to rain, but held off. Its 630 pm now and just starting to rain.
4/21 Woke up to pouring rain. Gonna wait a while before deciding what to do, Thanks, Lisa for the Sudoku puzzles. 10am…decided to hike in the rain. Did 9 miles to the next shelter. Build a big fire the got things pretty dried out. Weather calls for more rain tomorrow, so I’ll see what happens. I always try to get a spot in a shelter on rainy nights so as not to have to pack a wet tent. "Fish" was with us in this shelter and was by far the loudest snorer in the northern hemisphere.