Photos!

Some photos from the past few weeks...

crazy clouds (which I thoroughly enjoy) in Bear Mountain State Park, NY

an old mining road bisecting the trail, graded to haul ore by mule train

Kicker at the NY/NJ border; so long NY! 

creepy abandoned summer camp we found in the guide book. We were hoping to escape the rainy dreariness only to find dilapidated buildings, police tape, and overgrown fields...horror movie scene! 

6 miles or so of board walk in New Jersey

thank you Trail Angels for water and a throw-back Pepsi Cola!

hitching a ride into town; illegal in NY, but these kind gents with the moving company stopped and offered all they had

heading into Lehigh Gap, near Palmerton, PA

essential training for the half gallon challenge; Duncannon, PA

The Doyle Hotel - a welcoming, run-down hiker hostel hotel in the heart of has-been Duncannon, PA. good food, cold beer, and great people!

sometimes catching a hitch isn't so easy and you have to walk along tight spaces...when the tractor trailer in the picture passes in a few seconds, I laughed and smiled at the rush of the scenario...weee!

Pennsylvania forest scene

The Pinnacle, best view in all of PA along the AT

Snake Eyes on a rocky scree slope - typical of PA hiking 

corn field in the morning; Cumberland Valley, Southeastern PA

ohh the trash one finds along the trail in a day

old iron bridge originally used for vehicles, now used for AT hikers only

when given a view and welcomed relief from the socked-in feeling of trees and more trees, PA offered a nice spread of farm fields and clouds on sunny days

old cemetery (circa mid to late 1800s) in Cumberland Valley

the last of the setting sun, Duncannon PA

Resting a few more days with my sister, brother in-law, and 2 nephews here in Mechanicsburg, PA. Headed back out early next week. Till next time, be well!

Alan

Half-Way done, and appreciating on the trip thus far...

This morning, as I relax in-doors in "normal" people clothing drinking coffee, I reflect on the experience that has been my southbound journey so far from Maine to the half-way point in Pennsylvania:

What an opportunity! There have been many physical, as well as emotional, ups and downs; but, when it simmers down and all that is left is the essence, freedom, and its overwhelming sense of intoxication, has blessed me in many ways. In my imagining of where I am in life, I struggle picturing myself working behind a desk somewhere inside. I have been granted this unique experience to walk freely, day after day; even when my feet hurt and I find myself mentally escaping to a place of comfort as I tick off the remaining miles for the day. I entered into this experience with but a few desires to gain as a result of my time on the trail.

Freedom! 

The birthday challenge - walking at least 28 miles on my birthday - was one such desire. Another was to spend time outdoors. I've accomplished both of those, and through mental refraction realize the peripheral nature of these desires. What more could I possibly desire out of this experience that would deepen my understanding of myself, and my interaction with the world around me? Simply put, peace.

I feel I've become more peaceful in this world as I've aged, and that has ebbed to be consistent with what this AT experience has brought. I've witnessed, whether in the moment or through reflection, a departure from peacefulness in some of my actions. The peacefulness I speak of is an internal one. As humans, we harbor the ability to display a surface emotion of OK, when perhaps deeper within us we are in fiery turmoil: torn between what we feel and what we think in the moment. This inner furnace, boils and confounds my sense of balance and peace. I wish to attribute this to uncontrollable and random external factors in the immediate world around me, but, I come to realize, through time and space, that I am the one to be ultimately responsible for my actions. And thus, my reactions, too.

Say for example, while walking down the trail, enjoying the melodic songs of birds as puffy clouds pass overhead I trip and falter; striking my foot against an immovable rock. My first reaction may be one in pain, followed by some utterance of a profane nature. This is usually followed immediately by disgruntlement at something or someone else besides me for the misfortune. My Ego would like to quickly fabricate blame onto someone or something else as to save pride, but I've been down this road far too often. While catching myself in the chain reaction of blaming outside of myself, I clamp my thoughts and close my mouth, daring not to cast out blame on anyone but myself for the mistake and my hurting toe. This is a moment, repeated over and over again, over countless days, where I have appreciated being outside and alone with my thoughts and actions as I travel the distances. When I fault, react, then re-synthesize and relearn, I choose no one to blame but myself.

I smile often upon this played-out situation. The peacefulness that results from these daily maladies are numerous. Sometimes, however, I do not smile easily, and I must willingly concentrate my disposition to contrast my given mood. Eventually rediscovering my displaced sense of inner peacefulness through guided mantras of love and peace. This usually starts with a look outside myself; outside my selfish, shallow emotional reactions in the moment. When I turn-out from myself and tune-in to the natural world around me, I discover beauty, and contrast begins to seep in like a refreshing wave of water. I no longer perceive the selfish disruptions of my Ego, for, I am spiraling outside myself and into the beauty around me - even if that is as simple as the sunshine overhead, or a uniquely shaped rock along the path. In days of rain and storm, I feel a sense of peacefulness and beauty as well.

When I turn-out from myself and tune-in to the natural world around me, I discover beauty, and contrast begins to seep in like a refreshing wave of water. 

I imagine the rain to be a spiritual connection to the world. After the rain water, our life source, graces me with its presence on my body, it cycles and eventually evaporates and once again in cloud form moves somewhere else in this country to blanket others in the blessing of its exchange between sky and earth. What a beautiful notion of inter-connectedness! Indeed, I am not alone, as I perceived, but am surrounded by light and love flowing abundantly all around me - waiting to be discovered when I am not so selfishly engaged in myself.

If this blog post seems to be less matter-of-factly, and more abstract then I appreciate that I can share a different side of what this experience has been for me. The peacefulness that lay within my heart - our true source of Love - has grown greatly as the miles have begun to accumulate and pass beneath my feet. Sitting half way between Maine and Georgia I am excited for the challenge and growth ahead! A liitle less than 100 miles to the northern border of Virginia, and then exactly 1,000 miles remains; a fourth of which (roughly 546) are in Virginia alone.

the half gallon challenge! (truly 3+ pints of ice cream) at the half way point in Pine Grove Furnace State Park

Thank you life for such a wonderful experience! For a chance to fault and fall. To then rise up again to find the beauty brimming all around me in many various forms. Growing and learning through the exponential curve of life, love, and happiness.

Good days here and ahead to you all,
Alan



As of June 14th:
Shower total: 16
Laundry total: 10

Total miles to date: 1088.6
Total miles remaining: 1095.6

What is Trail Magic?

Greetings friends,

I'm into the great state of Pennsylvania as of 2 days ago, 67.5 miles short of the 1,000 mile mark! Tomorrow, August 14th, will be 2 full calendar months since I started, but today is actually Day 61 for me. If you did the math, that's about an average of 15.3 miles a day (including the 4 rest days I've taken so far). Not too bad. I still feel in good spirits and despite an aching anterior tibialis (muscle in the front of my shin), I've been feeling great physically, as well. So, how is it that a thru hiker can pop along dispatching miles day after day without feeling the grind? Well, let me tell you about a little about a big thing called trail magic.

According to the guide book glossary, trail magic is "acts of kindness or other serendipity befalling thru hikers." In many cases, coolers of cold drinks, or even more essential - water jugs - have been left at road crossings and trailheads by trail angels. These are simple examples of trail magic. Another could be seen in the Knaust family, hosting Kicker and I last week for dinner, shower, laundry, an overnight stay, and of course breakfast the next day.

I first met Tommy Knaust at the REI in Asheville last November. He was working and giving advice about the backpacks I was looking at. When in our conversation Tommy discovered I was going to thru hike this coming summer, he wrote down his parent's address and phone number and told me to give them a call when I was at Culver's Gap, near Branchville, New Jersey. So, Kicker and I are sitting outside Unionville, NY sampling some other fine trial magic at the Murray Cabin (a free place to stay and take a hot, outdoor shower) when I mention that I know the phone number of some folks in the next town, our destination for the following day. I call the number and leave a long, drawn-out message, babbling about how I met Tommy in Asheville and he told me to call. Basically, I was casting a wide, hopeful net, waiting to see if anything would come back. Later that evening, Tommy's brother calls back and says Tommy's coming into town from North Carolina, and that we could most likely stay the night at the Knaust house. Crazy! Such intricate timing...

We hike down into Culver's Gap and find our way to the Knaust house. After a shower, a cold beer, and a game of horseshoes, mother Knaust calls everyone to eat: a fine feast of ham, parsley potatoes, corn on the cob, cucumber salad, and pickled sauerkraut. Not only did they feed us that night, but we also got a hot breakfast the following morning along with a ride to the trailhead. Thank you Knaust family! What could be said about our time in New Jersey had we hadn't experienced this awesome graciousness of trail magic!

smiles for wild and raw honey from the bees of Western NC; thanks Tommy!

as the feast begins; The Knaust house

Pat, Tommy, and Henry Knaust

Trail magic often occurs when a thru hiker is least expecting it. Unusually enough, when it is needed most; as in situations of water. Trail angels in New York, for example, prevented many thru hikers from going thirsty, as the water situation in that state was scarce. These random acts of kindness bestow a sense of gratefulness upon me and others, and can be directly attributed with providing thru hikers the necessary energy to continue the long journey.

just when the water situation was looking poor, pop! - there's some trail magic an angel left; near the Palmerton superfund site, PA

sampling some trail magic goodies; Crockett atop of Mount Greylocke in Massachusetts

These random and sometimes serendipitous acts of kindness build a man's faith in humanity. I wish to thank those that have supported thru hikers in the past - even a simple ride into town, or an offer of information about the local town/area is considered trail magic.

So, to get back to how it is that a thru hiker can hike mile after mile in a day and still go on strong; well, you can thank those that provide magic along the trail for keeping our body and spirits up and going!

Time again has once slipped past me and I must say my goodbyes. The public library here in Palmerton, PA has been nice, but bed calls soon and morning will find me somewhere further south. Should be at the half way point in about a week or so...wooooop!

Lots of love,

Alan

near Palmerton superfund site, PA

As of June 14:
Shower total: 14
Laundry total: 9

Total miles to date: 932.5
Total miles remaining: 1251.7

Rest Day in NY, photos, and a bit about AT trail names

Hello from Hopewell Junction, New York! 

Currently, and for the next hour or so, I'm staying with my friend Ron at his humble and ample abode less than a mile from where the AT comes out of the mountains of NY. I got in Friday afternoon and decided to take a day off. Those that have been following the blog since the earlier days may recall me discussing, in short, my WFR (wilderness first responder) course and the contacts I had made during such. Well, Ron is one of the people I met, that after 5 days of working closely with one another, offered his home as a rest/relax stop for me along my journey. I'm super stoked and thankful to have been able to stop here. Shucks, I even got to go climbing at a premier rock climbing destination in the eastern US: the [Shawan]Gunks! (sorry only took 1 photo during this day of "rest"). Many thanks to Ron for his hospitality and friendship!!! 

Ron flaking out the rope before our 1st climb of the day; despite the heat, what a great crag to climb at! 

So, what else has been on the radar? Well, I've been meaning to talk in brief a bit about AT culture. Some folks may be familiar with such, but to many of you, I presume, there is a lot of unknowns and mysteries. First things first: trail names.

You may have seen interesting and/or unique nicknames attached to some of the photos of other hikers along the trail (Kicker, Crockett, Cleetus, etc.). These are called trail names and out here, you only go by that. My trail name is Rocketman, and I introduce myself to people as such. A nickname is usually something that is given; for giving yourself your own name is sort of like grading your own paper. Typically, the nickname is something befitting of the person/character it is naming/describing. You could receive your trail name because of something you did (funny, memorable, erroneous, embarrassing, etc.). A great deal of trail names have to do with people's perceptions of others. Generally speaking, you are broached with a possible nickname and you as the receiver have the ability to accept or decline (some given trail names aren't always nice or PC). 

I was bequeathed with the nickname Rocketman by a guy named Everette back in the 100 Mile Wilderness.  I'm sorry it has taken me so long to come forth and share this bit of information. The group I was hiking with at the time more or less traveled en mass to the next camp/shelter down the trail because we all were still newbs at that point. Because I was generally an early riser with a short patience string for sitting around in the morning and staring starry-eyed into space, I'd be packed-up and out of camp before most everyone else and into the next camp for the day hours before the others. One night as I was bidding good evenin' to the folks around the fire, Everette uttered "see you tomorrow, Rocketman;" and so my nickname was given and accepted. Because of this propensity to not dilly-dally, I felt my given nickname, Rocketman, fit fine.

If you know the lyrics to Elton John's song Rocketman, then you may be able to associate the elements of the character described in the song with my daily hiking routine. I like to think that my work in graduate school with fine mentors like my friend Jeremiah Haas (an on-point go-getter!) helped me develop a sense for time management in the outdoors. Usually, if Jeremiah and I were outside adventuring - whether personally or while leading trips for Outdoor Programs at Appalachian State  - you woke up, packed up your personal gear, and set to breakfast and breaking camp so you could spend more time doing the given sport, and less time wasting good day light. This habit is something I'm thankful for; though, I see no fault in those that choose to take their time in the mornings. To each his own. 

I feel that if this trail wasn't 2,000+ miles long, that I'd take more time in the mornings and treat each day like it was my last. Perhaps that is an introspective thought I need to circulate...hmm. Lately, however, the heat sets in around mid-day so an early start is essential (in my mind). Additionally, your chances for the greatest amount of peace and quiet - and maybe a view of wildlife - are best in the early hours of the morning. 

Okay; onto some photos. Some of these are a few weeks old (ohh geez, I know), but there has not been a whole lot of photo-worthy things to snap lately - a lot of green tunnel hiking going on in CT, NY, and I imagine NJ, too.

fire tower in VT (a few weeks ago)

it looks like a bird! lovely clouds in Southern Massachusetts 

Shay's Rebellion monument; Southern Mass. as well

Crockett trying to up his class and sex-appeal in Great Barrington, Mass.  Thumbs-up from me

yea, who would have thought Southern Massachusetts had mountains :) 

a  straight-up perpendicular boulder that screamed, climb me! in Connecticut somewhere 

the AT dabbles in and out of farm fields as part of the tour; near Falls Village, CT. 

Hydro Power Station at dusk; Falls Village, CT

Northern NY in the morning

Want to go to NYC? Only on Saturdays, but this little station is right smack on the AT. Even had a train pass as I was approaching and it was moving fast! What a thrill 

New York is known for a lot of city-type things, but there does exist a portion of the population that is into other, more unique forms of self-expression; as seen above.  

These last two photos are just for entertainment and nostalgia.

if you know the RV game then you may have a chuckle; Northern Massachusetts 

The clouds and I in the Whites; how I miss those magical mountain tops with views far into the ether realm 

Well, in another day or 2 I'll be into New Jersey, then into Delaware Water Gap (yay Pennsylvania!) by August 11th or so. In the meantime, I hope folks out there are doing well, staying cool, and I look forward to bringing you some more things of beauty and greatness in the near future. 

Cheers, Smiles, and Sunshine, 

Alan 

As of June 14:
Shower total: 11
Laundry total: 8

Total miles to date: 760.9
Total miles remaining: 1423.3