Kindness

Well, it is 1AM and instead of sleeping so we're well-rested for a long day tomorrow in Woolrich, Bart and I are up late reminiscing.

We have been so lucky to meet great people along our hike. We have been thinking back to Sticky Buns & her husband Steve who were our trail angels in Three Springs recently. We feel blessed to have been taken under their wing for a night - delicious food and delicious rest. We are sure that their hiker book will soon fill up.

When we look back, the kindness of strangers and mere acquaintances is the most profound impression in our mental collage of hiking memories.

Lunch spot on the Mid State Trail today.

Mid State Trail views

Big Valley Vista on the Mid State Trail this morning. Sorry about the pics very hazy and humid so come see for yourself how beautiful this vista is.

Stone Mountain

My view atop the raptor viewing platform vs. Jos on the Standing Stone Trail. HillBillyBart

Pre-Stone Mountain

After a dream breakfast of blueberry pancakes with Pat and Jim, we went on a hike... Imagine that. But we had company! Nice to learn more about the trail from those who know it best. After a couple miles, Kenny treated us to donuts and ice cold hibiscus tea... Wow!

Garthes

Huge thanks to the President and First Lady of the Standing Stone Trail for inviting us into their home even though we were drenched. Smoked pork, salad, and all the fixins... A couple of cold beers and a cool view. Thanks for the great stories!

1,000 Steps craziness

The 1,000 steps was the heaviest traveled attraction we have seen on the trail. We sat and ate lunch before our ascent up and the people just kept coming and coming it never stopped. I can see why this was a hot spot or must do climb for anyone. We will finish our trek through SST tomorrow and have enjoyed every step. Thank you SST volunteers! HillBillyBart & SomedayJo

On second thought we could double our money if Jo sold Slinkys at the bottom and I sold marbles at the top.

1,000 Steps

I think I'll come back next Memorial Day and sell Slinkys at the bottom of the Standing Stones 1,000 steps. HillBillyBart & SomedayJo

Hairdo

The Gas Line Barbers sure know how to give the mountains a reverse mohawk. Thinking about gettin one myself because I'm already full of gas and to be more like the mountains. HillBillyBart

perfect morning

The sun is getting high on us as we anticipate pizza for lunch before ascending the famous 1,000 steps of Standing Stone. So much to look forward to today in PA! HillBillyBart

PA --> KY --> PA

Today it is Bart's turn to bid farewell. He found these socks in Kentucky, left by a group from Pennsylvania who had an unfortunate evening on the Pine Mountain Trail.

Unable to find the owner in PA, Bart will be properly disposing of them in Mapleton's garbage can.

They made it home.

Hall of the Mountain King

Standing Stone Trail ROCKS!!!! Notice our position at the time. We had no idea what was ahead of us. We are having so much fun on this trail I'm happy to have been talked into it. -HillBillyBart

3 Springs

Today was the kind of day that just makes a person happy to be alive. Great trail, healthy forests, one porcupine butt, blue skies, great food, and new friends. 18 miles to get here in Three Springs, PA.

Standing Stone

Well today we de-packed and walked to see a Standing Stone.

A bet won

Bart forgot to mention that I won a candy bar off of him today when he did not think it was Memorial Day Weekend and I did. I love making bets with him. Never enjoyed a Twix so much...

Pennsylvania, your mood swings are wild. Gusts of 35mph today. From 90s a couple days ago to 30s forecasted tonight. Wheeee.

Onto the Standing Stone!

Odd day today. Woke up late in the morning with lack of motivation because of the cold temps and heavy winds. We manage to bring it together and hike even with the thought of cold rain ahead and leaving shelter and warm bed. Glad we did. It was very cold and high winds but wonderful start to the Standing Stone Trail in PA. We're cold but dry and my belly is full life is good! HillBillyBart

Shelter in a storm

Looks like a powerful storm brewing. Glad to have access to Big Mt. Shelter tonight.

Purple Pen

Today my purple pen died on me. It has come 1300 miles, chronicling every day. It was a good pen, faithful and true, working in freezing temperatures and hot. For 900 miles I have carried a backup, expecting mine to run dry. I am sorry I had so little faith in you, purple pen. I am sorry you will never see New York.

Wildlife in town

My days wildlife experience came when a robin went dumpster diving for maggots.

The GET's version of the Doyle

Our night out of the rain. Glad they have central heat this time of year.

Mmm

Breakfast of champions. It's my turn to post a geeky pic of Bart with beer. It's (kind of) nice to have reception. Note the air conditioner in the background.

Hot. Hot. Hot.

Mmmm, 100% humidity, blazing sun, and mid-60s at sunrise. I don't care what the calendar says: this is summer. Whew!

Does anyone know what to do for an itch underneath a callous?

Tiger!

Trail angel Tiger and me

Today was a hot, beautiful, and hot day. We walked down into McConnellsburg to get an ice cold shower or three, some cold drinks, air conditioning, and some much-needed rest.

Tonight my friend Tiger visited us! We ate and caught up and told stories of the AT. Yay sobo '09ers! Thanks for visiting, Tiger!

Daaaaay 1

Well, we hit Pennsylvania today, our 2nd to last state. We are glad to be here, despite a rather terrible day (they do happen).

Last night was my first night attempting to sleep on my destroyed Thermarest. It did not go well. I woke up bleary and crabby...
...to find that my Platypus is leaking (again!) and got my pack sopping wet. Sigh.

So we hiked. We hit the Md-Pa border. Then we took a wrong turn, lost an hour, some sanity, and 2 miles. Also, it was 85 degrees.

As soon as we started the1500 ft climb, the temp hit 90. Also: gnats. Everywhere. Also: multiple angry rattlers.

Thrilled to hit the top, we were dismayed to find that the rocks made us travel at 1mph. The heat made them slippery. Often, the "trail" is really a route through the rocks. I wiped out 3 times.

So we are camping miles upon miles from where we needed to be.

It's gonna be awhile before I can look back and laugh. Someday.

Moonview

Yes that is the moon. Sun on one side of the mt and the moon popped out on the other.

Tuscarora Mtn!

Sunset on top of Tuscarora Mountain.

C&O

The C&O Trail was lovely.

C&O Bicycle

What a pleasant hiker town Hancock MD was. It was bustling with all kinds of outdoor activities from fishing boats , kayaks, bikers, hikers, joggers, walkers etc.....loved our stay at C&O Bicycle would stay again thanks Dennis!

Ice cream!

Happy Hiker!

Oh boy.

Rain? What rain?

Thanks John!

John Spies was such a wonderful host and has a fantastic slice of heaven in the woods. Wish we could spend more time with him and maybe we can if he joins us further up the trail. Thanks for the meals, shower for us and our clothes, good conversation dry comfy place to sleep and cold beer!

20 miles of beauty

Last nights rest spot after 20 miles for my:HillyBillyBart

Roadside stop

Full on HoBo. Canned beef in its own juices for me and veggie soup for Jo. What trail magic or mistake. Stay tunned!

Hi ho hi ho

This morning into Siler for a resupply. Siler was a bust now 30+ miles and 2 days on very meager food supplies.

Birthday Bart

Today was my birthday. I woke up and went for a hike. Along the way was a store that sold beer and pizza. The hike ended early.
HillBillyBart

Brr yet again

This is a few-day-old picture of Bart enjoying the 55 trailhead.

Tonight it is very very cold. The shelter is lovely but still cold. I am grateful for my 10 degree bag keeping me toasty warm. Bart is using his bag liner and is warm too. The cold snap has killed off some kamikaze flies that were driving us crazy.

Tomorrow is Bart's birthday! Hot breakfast in Gore, VA and maybe a pie in Siler. Not too bad!

Barclay Run

After 18 miles in 9 hours we will enjoy the Barclay Run Shelter tonight. Rocks? What rocks? Two miles an hour not too shabby on this section.

Lunchbreak

I love the uniqueness of all the shelters. It would be so boring having the same design.

Pinnacles

The Pinnacles popped open on the Tuscarora .5 from Pinnacle Shelter

Waterfall

Today was a very relaxing 8 miles on the Tuscarora Trail.

Great North Mountain adventure continues

Tom was so gracious to pick us up and drop us back off on Great North Mtn. after hosting us for a night.

At the Loft

Sharon and Tom are very welcoming at their home. A hikers delight as Sharon takes a call for a shuttle and Tom stepped in to help with our soon to be delicious dinner.

Found treasure

My buds Big Ed and Lomans idea of take out Bar-B-Q

Tuscarora wow!

Still a lovely day

HBZL

Hillbilly Zip Line

Tuscarora Trail

Conditions get better