We are now seeing SOBOs (south blunders). These guys are hiking from Maine to Georgia. There are quite a few of them. It's fun to talk to them because we swap stories about what is ahead for one another. Here are some of the things they shared with us
There are no more poisonous snakes from here to Maine.
Vermont still has access to many towns but that will change when we hit New Hampshire.
Things are very dry so carry more water and fill up when we can.
We are in moose country now and will see them in the lakes or bogs especially in the early morning.
We should try summer dog racing.
Maine is amazing to see. There are no switchbacks, just extreme ups and downs. Every time you get to the top of the climbs, we will be blown away by the views.
The huts in new Hampshire always have extra food to unload for through hikers.
We are so excited about what is to come. In fact, we are loving Vermont. Even though we have some tough moments, we are thankful to be here together in this beautiful place. There are many times we just look around in awe and know we will miss all of this.
Training at Independence Oaks
7 weeks from today we hit the trail
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
June 27. The rain continues
We stayed in our tent until 10 AM in hopes the rain would subside. The rain continued. We were the last ones to leave the shelter and that was a first. Since we could not sleep any longer, we entertained ourselves with music. We sang Riding the Storm Out by REO, and Pushing On. Brandy is one of our favorites. Then we knew we had to face it so we put on our wet clothes, took down our wet camp and off we went.
Mark now calls me scabby because that's what my nose looks like. I was enjoying walking in the rain because the terrain started out nicely. We came across some large ponds and a bog. The volunteers of the trail placed planks of wood over some of the extremely wet areas. What I don't like is how slippery everything is. There is a fine line between cautiously confident and fearful. I just want to stay upright. Mentally and physically I need a good hike today. Had lunch when the rain turned to a drizzle. Neither of us feel much like singing now.
Mark has fallen twice, His falls were much more graceful than mine. He is not hurt but he is frustrated. We come to a mile section of steep downhill with slippery rocks and roots. My body has become tense from the hours of super caution over each step. Because of my fall yesterday, I have this sick nervous feeling in my stomach. This fear is not helpful in maneuvering through this obstacle course. Mark is feeling it as well. He takes the lead to find the safest footing. Takes us about an hour to get to the bottom. I so wanted to let go of the fear but could not shake it. When we get to the bottom, we just sit. My fatigue is from the mental workout. I stayed upright through it all and expect to find my confidence soon. We have six miles to go and I don't think I can finish today. Need a break from the tension. It does not appear that the weather is going to clear. We call it a day.
Mark now calls me scabby because that's what my nose looks like. I was enjoying walking in the rain because the terrain started out nicely. We came across some large ponds and a bog. The volunteers of the trail placed planks of wood over some of the extremely wet areas. What I don't like is how slippery everything is. There is a fine line between cautiously confident and fearful. I just want to stay upright. Mentally and physically I need a good hike today. Had lunch when the rain turned to a drizzle. Neither of us feel much like singing now.
Mark has fallen twice, His falls were much more graceful than mine. He is not hurt but he is frustrated. We come to a mile section of steep downhill with slippery rocks and roots. My body has become tense from the hours of super caution over each step. Because of my fall yesterday, I have this sick nervous feeling in my stomach. This fear is not helpful in maneuvering through this obstacle course. Mark is feeling it as well. He takes the lead to find the safest footing. Takes us about an hour to get to the bottom. I so wanted to let go of the fear but could not shake it. When we get to the bottom, we just sit. My fatigue is from the mental workout. I stayed upright through it all and expect to find my confidence soon. We have six miles to go and I don't think I can finish today. Need a break from the tension. It does not appear that the weather is going to clear. We call it a day.
July 26. Ups and Downs
Woke up to rain, hiked anyway knowing we were three miles away from Mt Greylock and breakfast. Windy at the summit but great views of Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts. From there we had a slippery steep downhill hike. I've fallen enough that I try to be soooo cautious. Then it happened...
I tripped going down. I tried to catch myself on a large rock but my hand slipped. I heard the bridge of my nose hit the rock. I can't tell you all that flew through my mind but thought I'd blown it this time. Being the woman, I cried. There was blood but Mark confirmed there were no cuts. I was shook and my face felt numb. Took some time to gather up enough gumption to take off my pack and sit up. I didn't want to walk anymore at least for today. My thoughts were something like this; I can't take it anymore, have I lost my mind to be out here in the first place, how many falls is going to take for me to recognize the danger I am in......
What choice was there other than suck it up and hike on. So I put my big girl panties on and we hiked to the road and tried to evaluate. I had swollen some but not too bad. We want to get to Manchester by Sunday so have a hefty goal. It would've been easy to stop for the day but wanted to stay strong. I am glad I did because it felt good to overcome the fear and just go.
We made it to the Seth Warner Shelter. We made it to Vermont. Yeah!!!
We met Andrea and her father, Bill. Andrea is hiking the state of Vermont in hopes of doing a through hike. We enjoyed talking with them and hope to hear about her experience.
Mark took a picture of my nose. He said it looks good. I am sure if it worsens by morning, he will take another.
We are in the tent and it is raining again. Hope it clears up in the morn. I could use a dry hike :)
5:30 AM. Pouring Rain
I tripped going down. I tried to catch myself on a large rock but my hand slipped. I heard the bridge of my nose hit the rock. I can't tell you all that flew through my mind but thought I'd blown it this time. Being the woman, I cried. There was blood but Mark confirmed there were no cuts. I was shook and my face felt numb. Took some time to gather up enough gumption to take off my pack and sit up. I didn't want to walk anymore at least for today. My thoughts were something like this; I can't take it anymore, have I lost my mind to be out here in the first place, how many falls is going to take for me to recognize the danger I am in......
What choice was there other than suck it up and hike on. So I put my big girl panties on and we hiked to the road and tried to evaluate. I had swollen some but not too bad. We want to get to Manchester by Sunday so have a hefty goal. It would've been easy to stop for the day but wanted to stay strong. I am glad I did because it felt good to overcome the fear and just go.
We made it to the Seth Warner Shelter. We made it to Vermont. Yeah!!!
We met Andrea and her father, Bill. Andrea is hiking the state of Vermont in hopes of doing a through hike. We enjoyed talking with them and hope to hear about her experience.
Mark took a picture of my nose. He said it looks good. I am sure if it worsens by morning, he will take another.
We are in the tent and it is raining again. Hope it clears up in the morn. I could use a dry hike :)
5:30 AM. Pouring Rain
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
July 25. How we love MA
This morning we hiked three miles into Dalton. Weather is perfect and the sun is streaming through the wet trees. The smell in the air has us taking in deep breaths. Ahhhh, mornings. We have breakfast in this quaint town. They have an ice cream shop that reminds me of Grandma Nancy calling Kendra Sweet Pea. Next we hike to the town of Cheshire (pronounced chesheer for you Michiganders). We pick up our resupply here (thanks mom). We get so excited to see what is inside even though we packed the boxes before we left. We had the Clarkston News article that was written about us.
The girlfriends come through with a great card and Sep throws in two boxes of Oreo cookies that we are trying to ration. THANK YOU!! You girls are the best!
We hike on knowing we have six miles of uphill to the shelter and another three to the top of Mt Greylock, highest peak in MA. 3491 feet. We havent been over 3000 feet in a very long time and it feels good. If you have hiked in Independence Oaks, it's like Ted Gray only more narrow, lots of rocks and roots, and nine miles long. Whew, it was a workout.
We did stop before Mt Greylock because there is no camping there. Two and a half miles to go and they serve breakfast up there. We had to stop when we saw this perfect tent spot in a pine forest. Our first pine forest night with thousands of pine needles everywhere.
Nights are surprisingly cool. Time to get our winter sleeping bags, gloves , fleece, down vest and hats. We will be in Vermont tomorrow. Hard to believe we've come this far. We feel so good today. 606.2 miles to go.
The girlfriends come through with a great card and Sep throws in two boxes of Oreo cookies that we are trying to ration. THANK YOU!! You girls are the best!
We hike on knowing we have six miles of uphill to the shelter and another three to the top of Mt Greylock, highest peak in MA. 3491 feet. We havent been over 3000 feet in a very long time and it feels good. If you have hiked in Independence Oaks, it's like Ted Gray only more narrow, lots of rocks and roots, and nine miles long. Whew, it was a workout.
We did stop before Mt Greylock because there is no camping there. Two and a half miles to go and they serve breakfast up there. We had to stop when we saw this perfect tent spot in a pine forest. Our first pine forest night with thousands of pine needles everywhere.
Nights are surprisingly cool. Time to get our winter sleeping bags, gloves , fleece, down vest and hats. We will be in Vermont tomorrow. Hard to believe we've come this far. We feel so good today. 606.2 miles to go.
July 24
Today was a nice cool day for a hike. We were able to get 17 miles in and still have time to break at the Cookie Ladies house. She sells fresh hard boiled eggs, pop, and hands out baskets full of home made cookies. Mark ate three eggs and said they were the best he ever had he wanted more but didnt want to ask They also have blueberry picking on their property. We met many new hikers today all at her house.
Not much news today we are near the Kay Wood shelter. 623.1 miles to go!
Not much news today we are near the Kay Wood shelter. 623.1 miles to go!
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
July 23. Spent time in Lee, MA
As we left the retreat center this morning, thunderstorms hit. We had planned to slack pack and made the mistake of not bringing our rain coats. We were counting on good weather until noon. We should know better by now. We made it down the driveway to a screened in gazebo. The temperature was cool so we knew walking in this rain without our gear could put us in a bad situation. We hoped it would blow over but did not look good. Someone had given us the name Pastor Van telling us what a wonderful man he was. We called him and he gave us the ride we needed. It did clear up after a few hours until afternoon with more thunderstorms. We spent time in Lee, MA. Loving The New England states!
I went into a clothing store and put on a pair of jeans for the first time in months and was happy to fit into a size ten. Can't remember the last time :)
I went into a clothing store and put on a pair of jeans for the first time in months and was happy to fit into a size ten. Can't remember the last time :)
Monday, July 23, 2012
July 22-great day!
Jeremy picked us up this morning to drop us at the bottom of Bear Mountain in Salisbury We grabbed a quick coffee and sandwich. We were leaving our backpacks in town and being dropped off south so we could hike all day without our packs (slack packing) and they would be waiting for us at the end of today's hike. What a difference it makes without 40 pounds on your back-thanks Jeremy!
On our way Jeremy pointed out where Meryl Streep lives so we could take a peak from atop as it appeared the fog would dissolve soon.
What a perfect weather day-blue and crisp air topping our around 80 degrees. It felt like one of those warm early fall days that you want to hang onto knowing what is soon coming.
The hike had beautiful views all around. The CT-MA area is just beautiful with the mountains, farms, streams, lakes and quaint little towns.
We ran into 4 ladies on a day hike. Carol and friends who get together every year for the last 20 years who all met in northern Vermont when vacationing. They were a fun group to talk with-there excitement and enthusiasm of our thru hike got us all excited again about our journey.
As we went down Everett Mountain our 2nd climb of the day we met George and Gretchen from Boston who were visiting family for the weekend. They too were intrigued about our hike and were so kind to ask if we needed a ride. We had another 9 trail miles to go but would also have to hike an additional 3 miles to town plus a few more to a spiritual center that housed hikers where we planned to stay this evening. They were so kind we were able to have them pick us up after the 9 saving us at least 5 miles which would have been a much longer day. Gretchen was so nice to drop us by a grocery store so we could get some good food to fuel our bodies-George and Gretchen thank you it really made our day!
After getting settled at the retreat center we had dinner, showered and did our laundry.
It is amazing how much happens out here each and everyday. We made our 11th state in Massachusetts today leaving Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine and about 660 miles to go.
Looking forward to a down day with the Logozzo's tomorrow taking a ride in from Boston.
EZ
On our way Jeremy pointed out where Meryl Streep lives so we could take a peak from atop as it appeared the fog would dissolve soon.
What a perfect weather day-blue and crisp air topping our around 80 degrees. It felt like one of those warm early fall days that you want to hang onto knowing what is soon coming.
The hike had beautiful views all around. The CT-MA area is just beautiful with the mountains, farms, streams, lakes and quaint little towns.
We ran into 4 ladies on a day hike. Carol and friends who get together every year for the last 20 years who all met in northern Vermont when vacationing. They were a fun group to talk with-there excitement and enthusiasm of our thru hike got us all excited again about our journey.
As we went down Everett Mountain our 2nd climb of the day we met George and Gretchen from Boston who were visiting family for the weekend. They too were intrigued about our hike and were so kind to ask if we needed a ride. We had another 9 trail miles to go but would also have to hike an additional 3 miles to town plus a few more to a spiritual center that housed hikers where we planned to stay this evening. They were so kind we were able to have them pick us up after the 9 saving us at least 5 miles which would have been a much longer day. Gretchen was so nice to drop us by a grocery store so we could get some good food to fuel our bodies-George and Gretchen thank you it really made our day!
After getting settled at the retreat center we had dinner, showered and did our laundry.
It is amazing how much happens out here each and everyday. We made our 11th state in Massachusetts today leaving Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine and about 660 miles to go.
Looking forward to a down day with the Logozzo's tomorrow taking a ride in from Boston.
EZ
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