Category Archives: Uncategorized

I’m starting this post with a great big THANK YOU for all the encouraging comments you readers have been giving me. Part of the reason I wanted to thru hike the AT and do something that many think is impossible is to gain more self-confidence. Writing is something that I’m not very confident in doing.Continue reading “Post #25 Weather”

On October 18, Anita and I had a pleasant surprise. Her sister, Erica, saw my blog post that was published the previous evening and called to let us know that she and Bryan were visiting Michael in Bristol, TN. This was only 45 minutes from where we were staying and they invited us for dinner.Continue reading “Post #24 Vistas and Ponies”

This past week I, Anita, joined Ken for a week on the trail.  It was rather impromptu.  I brought with me very little by way of entertainment.  But one thing I did bring was a crossword puzzle for each day…without answers!  Ken and I thought you might also enjoy a sample of the fun. AcrossContinue reading “Post #23 Puzzling”

Following an evening dessert of pie and ice cream to celebrate my birthday, Steve Schmitt drove me from their home in Blacksburg, VA, and returned me to the Wind Cliffs trailhead on Sunday morning. Due to the location where I started hiking and the scarcity of spring locations around there, I carried extra water atContinue reading “Post #22 Water”

I spent the first day of the week in a motel in Daleville, VA. In addition to the usual zero day chores like doing laundry, getting resupplied, creating a blog post, I also ate lots of food and watched too much football.  As I was packing the next morning, my bowels were reminding me thatContinue reading “Post #21 Psalm 104”

I started my week with a visit to Bryan and Debbie Baine, a former coworker and their family. We had renewed our friendship a couple of years ago when Bryan’s son and my Hannah both started their freshman years at Gordon College. Bryan picked me up at the Punch Bowl Mountain overlook on Sunday evening,Continue reading “Post #20 Don’t Hurry”

My week started with an overnight stay at Stanimal’s hostel. Staying at hostels is a thru-hiker tradition that I usually avoid. Who wants to be stuck in a bunk room with an old guy whose snores sound like a freight train? Also, because of the pandemic, it doesn’t seem wise to sleep in close proximityContinue reading “Post # 19: Distancing”

During Labor Day weekend, my two oldest kids, Corina and Jordan, along with their spouses, met me in Shenandoah National Park for a couple days of camping and relaxing.  Neither had planned a camping outing before and it was fun to hear how they figured out what to bring,  Each couple brought their dog whichContinue reading “Post #18 Labor Day Blues”

This week started on a high note: I got to see some family!  We spent Sunday evening at Corina & Tony’s home in Baltimore, and Jordan and Sarah joined us for a late dinner.  After a huge breakfast and a trip to the grocery story on Monday, we said our goodbyes and Anita drove meContinue reading “Post #17 Virginia Reel”

The week started with me experiencing another first: Hiker hobble. Most long distance hikers experience this for 15-30 minutes when first getting up in the morning. This is comical to watch and when I’m camped near others, and I look around to make sure no one is watching me. Fortunately I was alone in aContinue reading “Post 16 Ivy League”