Day 108 - Deerfield River

Mud, mud mud. It's a little like the Pennsylvania rocks, the Vermont mud. The big difference being rocks hurt, and mud is just uncomfortable. Also, at least in Vermont I'm climbing mountains.

Today was awesome. The rain held off, and I topped Glastenbury Mountain. The hike up was through this dense pine forest, and at the top was a big lookout tower. From there, I could see forever in all directions. I saw Bennington to the west, Mount Greylock to the south, and Stratton Mountain to the north...as well as tons more mountains.

I am so excited to be in big mountains again. I haven't had such big climbs since The Priest, really. That was way back before Waynesboro! The feeling of reaching a point significantly higher than anything around you is unmatched, and of course the views are pretty spectacular too. The view today was so refreshing. There's a lot more Green Mountain National Forest to go, so I've got more climbs ahead of me. Tomorrow is Stratton...in the rain!

-Scribbles (aka Ted)
7:42 p.m. 6/30/2015

Day 107 - Nauheim Shelter

I had a business-like day today. I churned out another 20 miles as I delved into the heart of Vermont, and my feet delved into endless mud. I actually didn't start until 11. I was so tired from yesterday's Greylock adventure that I slept until 10:30. What a luxury that was.

But then it was off to the races. Massachusetts said goodbye with a steep uphill, and at the top, BAM! Vermont and the Long Trail! It's great to be on my 3rd to last state and Vermont promises to be very pretty. Right now, however, I just can't get past how muddy it is!

I know we just got a lot of rain, but the mud is really something else. There are points where it's so deep that your entire foot submerges into it. And the best part is that once and a while you come to a row of footbridges, like they're saying "here, have a little break," and then the footbridges end and your first step is a SPLAT! I'm worried that one of these steps is going to be my last, and the mud will go down and down and swallow me whole!

But actually, I can deal with the mud. Aside from my shoes and socks being a bit damp and cold in the morning, it's no big deal. Not when I've got some massive mountains ahead of me! I'm psyched for the Green Mountain State.

-Scribbles (aka Ted)
8:00 p.m. 6/29/2015

Day 106 - MA/VT Border

At one point on this hike, I think it was in Pennsylvania, I was worried that I didn't have enough to write in my updates. After today, it's clear to me that it wasn't me becoming blind to little things I picked up in Tennessee or Virginia. Rather, I think that the southern states were just much more difficult! And today was like the Roan Highlands all over again.

Now, I don't mean to say that Pennsylvania through Massachusetts was easy. Those states certainly had their challenges! But thinking back to snow at the NOC, or sideways rain on Big Hump Mountain, or even 30 degree mornings in southern Virginia, there was just a different level of challenge then. And it wasn't just the physical challenge. I was far from home, and a long way away from seeing family. It was just a different world.

Today brought me back to that. With a flash flood and wind advisory in effect, I decided to make the climb up 3500 foot Mount Greylock. It felt like a bad idea when I was up at the top, but lying in my hammock now, I don't think I've been this tired since Virginia. What a great day.First off, it was windy. So windy! Second, it was cold, probably in the low 50s up on top of the mountain. And third, I was walking through a variation of rain, drizzle, mist, and tree pee. So it was wet! And the mud! I had some good old fashioned shin deep puddles, but coupled with those was a new phenomenon: mud that enveloped my entire foot, shoe and all! All this while climbing the ...mountain since Chestnut Knob waaaaaay back in Virginia. To put it simply, it was hard.

But at the end of the day, I feel great. I'm going to sleep like a bambino tonight and feel reassured that I can tackle inclement weather and difficult terrain. And it's nice to take a break from the laid-back hiking I've been doing for a real challenge. It really brings me back...

-Scribbles (aka Ted)
9:01 p.m. 6/28/2015

Day 106 - St. Mary's church, Cheshire

After a great day for hiking yesterday- cool and dry- the rain is back. Luckily, I found refuge at the church hostel here in Cheshire. But man, it poured all night and I just know that I am in for some mud these next few days.

Yesterday was quick, only 12 miles. I skipped through Dalton and made it to Cheshire. In Dalton I met Tom, a real trail angel. He allows hikers to camp in his yard, shuttles people around, and he even invited me into his home for breakfast yesterday! I also enjoyed Dalton because it was the first place I've reached on the trail that I recognize as having been before. Yes, I once stopped for gas at the Cumby's right off the trail! It was last summer with my friend Hector. We were on our way to the Hoosac Tunnel in North Adams. I also crossed MA Route 9, the same road that you might recognize as Park Ave in Worcester! So it was very nice to see some reminders of home.

Cheshire is a cute town just south of Mount Greylock. I'm going to go to mass at St. Mary's today, and avoid climbing muddy Greylock for as long as possible. But it will happen soon, and before you know it, it'll be on to Vermont!

-Scribbles (aka Ted)
8:32 a.m. 6/28/2015

Day 102 - Shaker Campsite

Me and Dad are moving right along! Today dear old dad became known as "Fire thrower" after yesterday's episode.

We made it 12 miles. The first 10 were easy, and we were on pace to make it to camp after just 8 hours of hiking. But alas, the last two miles were a steep steep downhill, and Dad had some trouble. It doesn't look like we will make it to Greylock like we had originally hoped. We're opting for the slow and steady "we get there when we get there" approach. Much more enjoyable. We are now shooting for Dalton or Cheshire, two little trail towns about 9 miles apart. Even though it's a little short of the goal, I still get to spend time on the trail with Fire thrower, so I'm happy!

When we got to camp today, we were greeted by about a dozen other hikers, all in a group training for Overland, an organization that brings kids out on sweet outdoors adventures. The guys and girls here are all preparing to lead groups on hiking, biking, kayaking, and writing trips in places as distant as Iceland and Patagonia, and as close as the Whites. The soon-to-be councilors are all about my age. Man, what a great summer job! They're all super nice too. I talked with them all a ton, they gave me some food, and they even let me in on their "power object" routine, where they pass a torch (the power object) around and share highs, lows, and cheers. What a great group! I had a lot of fun.

Today was also beautiful weather, and I'm looking forward to tomorrow, should be nice too. We're hoping to knock out another 9.5 miles, but you never know. We'll get there when we get there!

-Scribbles (aka Ted)
9:09 p.m. 6/24/2015

Day 101 - Tom Leonard Shelter

Today is my 100th day on the trail. 100 days sleeping out, hiking all day, eating unfathomable portions, being cold, hot, wet, every extreme it seems. It's been a great hundred days, and what's amazing to me is that I've gone from Georgia, a completely foreign land to me, to Massachusetts, just down the pike from home sweet home! 100 days down, and less than two months left. Wooo!

My dad joined me today on the way out of Great Barrington. It sure was great to see him and my brother, who just graduated high school, for the first time since March! We got a late start, and only did 5 miles. It was slow going, but slow and steady is better than fast and pulled hammy! We made good miles, emphasis on good. We'll be hiking together for 5 more days, and the goal is Greylock.

Now, let me tell you a secret. I think my dad is trying to sabotage my thru-hike! It all started when I was innocently trying to cook dinner. My alcohol stove was on the table heating the water, until Dad came through and "accidentally" knocked it over! Flaming alcohol was everywhere, and I had to squirt water to put it out. I even got a few cinged hairs on my legs. It was a little scary. I know my dad's not actually trying to sabotage me! I just have some things I need to teach him. Tomorrow we're shooting for a 12 miler.

-Scribbles (a.k.a. Ted)
8:46 p.m. 6/23/2015

Day 100 - Kellogg Road Bridge

Here I am at the end of a sublime zero day, hanging over the Housatonic in my hammock, and looking forward to what lies ahead. I have to say, with so many zeros, short days, and rendezvouses with friends and family, I'm getting worried that I've forgotten what it means to thru-hike! I mean, I am supposed to be roughing it, right?

Today I did the opposite. I hiked about a mile to Route 7, where my spontaneous girlfriend was waiting for me. I wholeheartedly appreciated her last minute decision to join me. We did my laundry, ate some Thai food, went to see Jurassic World in theaters, and even managed to do a little stretching in the park (and boy am I tight!). Like I said, pretty much the opposite of roughing it.

It's been strange lately with the easy days and familiar faces. I feel like I should be doing more, like I didn't get the LEEP project and blog site to go to the movies. But time and time again I'm reminded. I did walk here from Georgia, I have been sleeping in the wind, rain and cold, and yes, seeing a movie may as well be part of the experience. And dude, sitting in a big comfy chair and watching dinosaurs duke it out was pretty darn spectacular.

So I've come to terms with my current slowness. And with 4 or 5 days with Dad around the corner, I won't be doing any 30 mile days soon. But that's fine! I'm going to live it up, and when the time comes to make miles, they will be made!

-Scribbles (aka Ted)
6/22/2015

Day 99 - Massachusetts!

Greetings from Massachusetts! Today was a good one. It was tough, wet, buggy, steep, and lots of fun. I hiked 18 miles to Route 7, just south of Great Barrington. Tomorrow will be a nero as I await my dad to join me Tuesday. I'm pumped! But about today...

Me and my buddies woke up this morning to torrential downpour, as it had done most of the night. I estimate we got a good 2 inches of rain up here in the CT/MA/NY tri-state region! 

Luckily, it all fell overnight and early morning. We were hiking in light rain by 9:30. The way I estimated our rainfall total was by the amount of water gushing down the trail and pooling along flat stretches. This morning going over Bear Mountain, we were confronted with a real torrent! And on the way down (which is super steep), it honestly felt like we were climbing down a waterfall at some points. We did it, but it took lots of careful steps and assistance from my trekking poles (and trees!).

After Bear Mountain was Sages Ravine. The sun came out and the mountain stream was just gorgeous as we hiked along side. Also, the stream was very high. At the point where we were to cross, we were greeted by no bridge, no stepping stones, nothing but a 25 foot wide waterway! The only way to cross was to ford it. We loved fording the river (my first one yet!), and since we were already pretty well soaked, no one minded the knee-deep water. 

Once the wade was done, we had entered Massachusetts! Being back in the Commonwealth is nice for sure, but what's nicer is knowing I now have completed 10 states and I have 4 to go! The first Bay State challenge was Race Mountain, which afforded some really great views. I don't mean to put my home state down, but the views from the first mountain in Mass. were better than any in CT! After Race, my buddies unfortunately had to head out. I was reminded that yes, most people have jobs 5 days a week! It was great having them along, especially for some of the wettest miles since Port Clinton! Seriously, the top three wettest places for me have to be Roan Highlands, Port Clinton, and Bear Mountain! Thanks for surviving with me guys!

After my friends left, I did another 10 miles to my current location, amid many more puddles. Honestly most of today was spent slogging through water that varied from a half to 5 or 6 inches deep! But what really capped the day was the mosquitos. I'm currently surrounded by dozens of them. Thank goodness for my bug-netted hammock! It's like a cloud surrounding me.

Tomorrow I'm heading into Great Barrington, where I'll dry off, do laundry, and maybe even catch a movie in the theater! I'm looking forward to relaxing after a tough day today.

-Scribbles (aka Ted)
6:06 a.m. 6/21/2015

Day 97 - Riga Shelter

It sounds like there may have bee some technical difficulties with my post yesterday, but one of the things I talked about was the joy of seeing people from home. Having friends and family come out to support me has been such a motivator since Bear Mountain, when my mom and aunt and uncles and cousins first joined me for a day. This past Wednesday and Thursday was happily spent off the trail with my girlfriend, and boy was that awesome. We hung out around Kent and I did as little physical movement as possible, getting plenty of sleep and eating tons of food. As great as it was to take a real zero day, the best part of course was seeing Sarah, who I hadn't seen since January when she left for Seville!

Getting back on the trail yesterday was a bit tough, but I could feel the bodily difference. My legs felt amazing after 50+ hours of not hiking. I hiked 21 miles yesterday, but I may as well have been sitting on a couch. That's literally what my legs felt like. My muscles must have appreciated the rest.

Today it was my mom and friends from Newington who joined me in Falls Village. My mom hiked with us from Falls Village to Salisbury, and my friends continued with me up to Riga shelter, where we're camped tonight.

We had a good 12 mile hike up here. The weather was great until about 3 in the afternoon, when it started to pour. Luckily the worst of the rain hit as we explored Salisbury, so we were under cover. But we got wet on the last stretch up to the shelter. At the shelter we mad dinner and played cards, and now the rain seems to be picking up again. It could be a wet night, and a wet day tomorrow!

Today was also the first time I've done any substantial miles with people from home. What a trip that's been! I feel like I'm watching the past me in my friends. Maybe it's a funky tree, or a field of ferns, or a mountain view. Whatever, there are so many things that my buddies were struck by that I was just kinda like...eh. I've seen all types of trees, and ferns, and views. I'm sort of numb to it all. Which is really too bad in a way! But it was very refreshing to see their excitement.

Tomorrow it's on to Bear Mountain and Massachusetts. It looks like rain, which is unfortunate because I've heard that some of the terrain on Bear Mountain and Mount Everett is crazy. Crazy is tough. Crazy and wet is dangerous. We're going to have to be super careful tomorrow. 

- Scribbles (aka Ted)
8:43 p.m. 6/20/2015

Day 93 -Ten Mile River Shelter

Connecticut! For the first time in more than three months, I'm back in my home state. This is definitely the longest I've ever been away from home in my life. Even during the school year, I find time to make it home once in a while. But not on the trail! Three months and finally the Nutmeg State surrounds me!

I have a strange sense of pride for my state upon arriving home again. I don't know what it is. Seeing "Welcome to Connecticut" on the sign a few miles back just put a big smile on my face. I'm sure glad to be back, and looking forward to the next few days here!

Honestly, ever since Delaware Water Gap I have been in hiking zen. The miles are flying by easily, nothing hurts, every day is fun. I think I'm completely settled into the hiking lifestyle.The 15-20 mile range creates this perfect equilibrium of satisfaction; I don't feel lazy for doing a small amount of miles, but I also don't get burnt out from big days.

With friends and family joining me in the very near future, I'm super pumped to keep on keeping on the slow and steady days. It's crazy, but I am just about exactly 2/3 done!

-Scribbles (aka Ted)
11:08 a.m. 6/16/2015

Day 92 - RPH Shelter

Three months ago today I was standing on top of Springer Mountain at 8am, overcome by the vast expanse of mountains ahead of me. They were mountains to be climbed. It was the beginning of a journey. It was incredible. Today is a little different. I'm holed up in a shelter, slowly building the motivation to face the wetness of today and begin hiking. But I think back to that morning in Georgia and wonder, did I ever think I would make it this far? In three months I've walked from a foreign land to, oh, 25 miles outside Connecticut. I'm that close! I don't think it ever touched my mind. Here I am though, and I'm simultaneously trying to remember what life was like before hiking and asking myself where has all the time gone. It's really strange to think that three months are already gone by! Ahh!


Miles are still being made. Like I said, I'm only 25 or so from Connecticut, so I'll be there by Tuesday. I can't wait for some New England! Now I just gotta get moving...

-Scribbles (aka Ted)
9:20 a.m. 6/15/2015

Ted's Progress Map: Week 13

Ted's Progress Map
Week 13

Day 91 - Hemlock Springs

My apologies for no blog posts the last few days. Two nights ago my phone zonked out on me as I was writing a fantastic post about New York City and yesterday was super busy and I didn't get to camp until 10:30 or so! I'll start with Friday...


The gyst of my post on Friday night was this. I was at West Mountain shelter, a beautiful stone shelter with a view of the Hudson River and, just barely from the humidity, New York City. The skyline was faintly visible through the haze. There was something special about seeing New York, it was a feeling I haven't had yet on this trip. I guess the Big Apple is a place that I feel I know, having been there dozens of times. Me and my dad have gone to many Yankees games since I was little, and I've been there a few times just to see the city too. I've gone for several cross-borough walks. It's a place that I consider myself familiar with. And there it was, two nights ago, on the horizon! After being in unknown National Forests (the Chattahoochee, the Nantahala, what?) and nameless towns (Glasgow still has a special place in my heart), I was finally looking at a place that rings a bell. Anyway, it felt good to see the city.


Friday itself was another tough one. Hot, humid, gnatty, and even more rock climbing. I gotta say, I do enjoy the rock climbing. One spot in Harriman State Park was called the "Lemon Squeezer." It was a narrow corridor of rock where I was forced to take off my backpack and hold it in front of me just to fit. Lemon squeezer indeed! Right after that was a ledge so steep that another trail marked "Easy Route" was made around it. As if I was going to go the easy way! I surveyed the challenge ahead of me and decided my best bet was to throw my poles and pack on top of the ledge and then try my luck at climbing. I made it, but only with the help of a well-placed root.


Now on to yesterday. It was simply like none other. There are really good days on the trail, and then there are days when you get to see family. It was awesome. I did a quick 5 miles in the morning to Bear Mountain, and when I got there, New York was as clear as day. It was a fabulous view! I ended up beating my family to the summit, but at 11:30 there was Uncle Phil, Aunt Ellen, Nick and Eva (cousins), and Mom! What a reunion! I haden't seen anyone from home for three months, when I left. We hung out at the top of the mountain, which is pretty well organized with a tower, bathrooms, and a road to the top. We shared stories from the last 3 months, played setback, and ate food. Man, I got hooked up. Sandwiches, salad, fruit, snacks, cookies, beer. It was great to eat some home cooking!

-Scribbles (aka Ted)
7:58 a.m. 6/14/2015

Day 88 - Arden Mountain

Hello from a hungry hiker on a hot and humid day in New York! That's right, a new state already! Despite the interstate accomplishment, it was rough today; 90 degrees and the air was thick. I did 19 miles, but it felt like 25. I was so tired when I got to camp at 5, it was all I could do to just set up camp and take a load off. Now, laying in my hammock, I'm still sweating!

New York is tough, not just because of the weather. The hills are more like ledges, and I found myself bouldering or scrambling up a bunch of rocks for much of the day. Unlike those nasty rocks in Pennsylvania, however, at least these were engaging and not monotonous, and I hit some pretty good views. One ascent at the end of the day just about did me in. It was straight the heck up! I had to lift my feet way high to get from rock to rock- like climbing a staircase with 3 foot steps. I had one step where my backpack almost pulled me back if it wasn't for a little rock I used to gain leverage. It was nuts! It seems like down south the mountains were bigger, but less intense, and here the mountains are super steep, but smaller. I'll take these any day... they're more fun!

I'm hoping for a little cooler weather tomorrow, but at least I only have a short distance to cover. I plan on ending at West Mountain shelter, which allegedly is complete with a view of New York City!! And then Bear Mountain on Saturday. Should be fun!

- Scribbles (aka Ted)
6:47 p.m. 6/11/2015

Day 87 - New Jersey Bears!

Hello again!  

The miles are moving along well here in New Jersey. I've slowed down considerably from my 20+ mile per day pace in Pennsylvania. I don't know why, I guess hiking is just more enjoyable here. I'm taking my time!

Yesterday went well. There was thankfully no tornado overnight, and I ended up hiking to Unionville New York. Even though I ended up in a New York town, I still had 20 miles to go in Jersey, of which about 3 are left for tomorrow. I hiked past the aptly named High Point, the highest point in New Jersey, complete with a Washington Monument-esque obelisk at the top! I also saw bears number 3, 4, 5, and 6. The first one came at a pretty inopportune time. I was searching for a soft patch of ground to dig a hole and do some business (I won't get into details!), when a bear shimmied down a tree and ran away not even 20 feet away from me! Talk about suprising! The other three bears I saw together; a mom and two cubs. The momma bear with cubs situation can be dangerous, but luckily I never came within 50 yards of them. From a distance, however, I could clearly discern the bears. One of the cubs was about 20 feet up a tree. It was pretty cool.

Anyway I made it all the way to Unionville, which was an awesome little town. Glasgow-esque, for sure. There was free camping in the town park, and a great little store, and a pub to boot! It was one of those towns with its own character. It wasn't your classic hiker town; a town first and a hiker town second. But everyone was extremely friendly, and I'm still amazed at how many people are fascinated by thru-hiking. I guess it's just because I've gotten so used to it, I forget that walking from Georgia to Maine is pretty extraordinary! On my way to Unionville, I met Brendan and Kelly, a couple of people my age who were very interested. Its always fun to relate some of the stories from the trail.

Today I had another short day. I'm only two days away from Bear Mountain NY and a meet-up with family. Wooo!

-Scribbles (aka Ted)
7:29 p.m. 6/10/2015

Week 12 Progress Map

Week 12 Progress Map

Yes, this is delayed, but we here at Ted Headquarters got a little backed up at the beginning of the week.

Day 85 - Stokes State Forest

It's been a busy but slow couple of days on the trail. New Jersey has been great! The rocks did not end at the Delaware River, but they're not as bad as they were and there's some really cool terrain around here. I had no idea New Jersey was so pretty.

Yesterday I hiked past Sunfish Pond and climbed Kittatinny Mountain. A sign declared Sunfish Pond one of the "seven natural wonders of New Jersey," something I found humorous. But it was pretty cool. It's a glacial lake, and it was up at about 1200 feet. The water was super clear. I also saw a second rattlesnake near the lake, always a scary experience.

This morning I woke up to rain, and perhaps due to laziness or maybe as a residual effect from Friday's 30 mile day, I stayed in my hammock until 10! It was so relaxing to take my time waking up. When I finally did get moving, I was unexpectedly greeted by the sun! Today's forcast was for rain all day, but it held off until about 7, when I was all set up for the night.

So it's raining now, and pretty hard too. There's actually a tornado warning, but no tornados yet (I hope none!). Home seems closer than ever. My mom will be meeting me this Saturday, when I reach Bear Mountain and the Hudson River. I can't wait! But I have a bit of hiking to do before then. For now, I'll listen to the rain and hopefully get a good, dry night of sleep!

-Scribbles (aka Ted)
8:54 p.m. 6/8/2015

Day 84 - Delaware Water Gap

I'm about to leave Delaware Water Gap, cross the Delaware River, and enter New Jersey.

Pennsylvania was a tough state, no doubt. But it wasn't all bad, and my day here in DWG is proof of that!

I got here early yesterday, and went right to the hostel, the Church of the Mountain, which is the longest continuously operating hostel on the trail. It's a great place, with just what a hiker needs: a bed, water, and a place to chill with other hikers.The group of guys I'm with right now is great company. There's Tate, who I've been on and off hiking with, Forrest, who Tate's been hiking with more, Superman, who I did Springer with, his friend Heavyweight, Blueberry, Ginga T, Green Tortuga...the list goes on. I realize that it's impossible to describe them all! It's been great to hang out and spend time with people who are becoming real friends.

Delaware Water Gap is also a pretty funky town, complete with a diner that tells me I have entered the Northeast, a country bakery with eclairs the size of my head, and a Haitian Restaurant. I like it here a lot.

But I'm all rested up, and like any place along the trail, I'm merely passing through. Today it's on to New Jersey!

-Scribbles (aka Ted)
9:28 a.m. 6/7/2015

Day 82 - Lookout Rock, Hook, & Bear!

Today was fun. It started off alright. I finally gave into the rocks, and turned to my radio (bought at Port Clinton) for support. You see, constantly having to watch your feet is tedious, and boring as hell! When I saw the clouds, and the flat terrain with no views, it was decided. So the radio provided a diversion from the monotonous morning miles.

It was the first time I had ever listened to music while I walked, and while it was enjoyable, I think that music while hiking will be kept to a minimum from here on out. It's just different. Instead of hearing the birds, or wind, or the rustle of leaves as a toad hops away, you hear "Uptown funk won't give it to ya, don't believe me just watch!" It was motivating for a hard day like today, but weird.

The music only lasted until about noon, when I ran into Hook, another thru-hiker. We made the usual conversation, but when the start-date question was asked, my jaw dropped. Hook started on April 28!!! He'd been doing 30+ mile days. Today he walked from the Outerbridge shelter, which is before Lehigh Gap, all the way to Delaware Water Gap, another 2 miles from me. His method is simply to start early and finish late. He never runs as you would expect, and in fact I ended up hiking with him for 15 miles at a very manageable pace. He told me some crazy stories of his hike, such as his first day, when he did 43 miles, and the Smokies, when he ate nothing but 70 Snickers bars in his 3 days there. Crazy!

But Hook is used to doing crazy things. He's an ultra-marathoner, or a participant in races more than 26.2 miles. He told me about the time he accidentally set the record for the Wonderland Trail, a 90 mile loop around Mount Ranier, and the time he nearly blew a kidney while qualifying for the US ultra-marathon team. I was thoroughly impressed and fascinated!

By the time me and Hook split up at the Kirkridge Shelter, I had amazingly done 26 miles, and it was only 5pm! I think hiking with an ultramarathoner might have had something to do with it... Anyway, I knew I'd be sleeping in Delaware Water Gap tomorrow, and I was only 6 miles south of it, so I ate dinner and hiked a little farther to perhaps my most epic camping spot yet. I'm on the edge of a cliff, looking over the Delaware River (and I-80), with a huge cliff on the other side too. It's spectacular! I'll sleep well tonight for sure.

Oh yeah, and if all that wasn't enough, I SAW A BEAR!!! Yes, a real bear, and this was no through the trees, get a glimpse before he runs away type of sighting. I got within 60 feet of him! I snapped some really good pictures. It was awesome.Anyway, I don't know how it happened but I did 30 miles today and I'm feeling pretty beat. The good news is that I only have 2 miles to go tomorrow and then it's on th New Jersey!

-Scribbles (aka Ted)
9:32  p.m. 6/5/2015

Day 81 - Palmerton Superfun(d) Site

Sometimes I get so caught up in something that it overtakes everything else. This happened yesterday with my anger at the rocks. I omitted a few important things from my update! The first one is that Dave, the writer of the T&G article about this blog and LEEP project, completed an Appalachian Trail hike of his own yesterday. He did much of Northern Virginia, including the Shenandoahs. Way to go Dave! Dave is one of many section hikers, people who want to hike the entire Appalachian Trail, but do it in sections, one at a time. I think it's awesome how the trail ties so many people into it in so many different ways. It's just cool to think that not even a month ago I was hiking the same trail Dave, yet we had completely different adventures.

OK, the other piece of news is a doozy.

Remember back when I started, and I did the approach trail with two other guys? Rowan and Alex. I hiked off and on with Rowan for about the first week and a half, but by the time I got to the Smokies I was ahead of him, and I haven't seen him since. Alex left Springer Mountain on March 15 before me, and I had no idea what became of him...until yesterday!!! Alex is now known as Superman, and he's made it as far as I have! It's crazy; we went two and a half months, 1200 miles, but found each other again. Insane! Remember what I said about the trail tying things together?

No complaining today. The rocks are still a beast, but I'm getting used to them. I went through the Lehigh Valley today, which is notable because of the terrific slopes going in and out of it. The trail in wasn't too too bad, but the trail out...wow! I was practically rock climbing! It was straight up this rock face. The blazes were painted right on the rock and when you look at it from a distance I swear you think "what do they expect me to fly?" But it was a lot of fun.

The other interesting tidbit about the Lehigh Valley is its industrial past, a past which the Appalachian Trail does not escape from. Shortly after ascending Breakneck Rock (I made that up), I encountered a warning sign. And for about three miles, I was walking across a Superfund site; an environmentally damaged site that has federal money allocated for it's remediation. In the case of this site, a zinc-smelting plant in Palmerton (which I think has something to do with galvanizing metal) dumped their waste sludge on the hillside for almost a hundred years. The result was a defoliated slope, which I understand was far worse twenty years ago. Now, there are sparse trees, shrubs, and mostly grass. It's spooky. I feel like I'm on a field trip with my Urban Ecology class!

Anyway, I did another 20 today and Delaware Water Gap is only a day and a half away! Assuming I don't get eaten by a zinc sludge monster tonight...

-Scribbles (aka Ted)
7:03 p.m. 6/4/2015

Day 80 - Rocking Pennsylvania

OK, so have you ever done something for an absolutely atrocious amount of time? Something simple, mind-numbing, something that makes you just succumb to it, like a war of attrition. For example, I used to do this with Google Earth. I'd study it for like 6 hours, then finally pull myself away from the computer, wild-eyed and wondering how I could waste so much time like. I remember going to bed after these episodes, closing my eyes, and seeing digital mountains, roads, and cities flash across my eyelids.

Well, here I am again. The rocks of Pennsylvania have crushed me. One mile of rocks, no big deal. Two miles, your feet get kind of sore and you feel thankful for the less rocky portions. Four miles, and you begin to forget what smooth trail is like. And at ten-plus miles, you enter a state of semi-consciousness, a sort of daze, as you stumble over boulders and smash your feet against even the tiniest stones.

Phew, that got out of hand! But it's true, hiking over millions of sideways rocks is much different than hiking on flat ground. I mean, you can't look around. You have to stare at your feet, with occasional glances up at the trail ahead.Even with the rocks, however, today was a good one. The weather cooperated, and there were some well deserved views. But the rocks man, wow!

Tomorrow promises to be the crescendo of rockery; the Lehigh Gap. I'll hit it toward the end of the day. From what I hear it's incredibly steep. I can't wait!

-Scribbles (aka Ted)
8:05 p.m. 6/3/2015

Day 79 - Port Clinton

I'm back! The last two days have been very hard. The weather went from hot and humid, with a drizzle yesterday to cold and very rainy today. I walked 18 miles in steady rain, which sometimes picked up to a downpour. But I've dealt with rain!

What I haven't dealt with is rocks. Not Pennsylvania rocks, anyway. Sure, in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, there were rocks. But not 18 miles worth! The rocks here never end, and none of them are nice and flat. They all slant at an angle that's just perfect for your foot to slide around in your wet shoe. From what I've heard, I haven't even seen the worst of it yet. That's coming after Port Clinton, where I'm currently camped.

The trail was also pretty poor today. Some sections had awful drainage, and at one point I was walking through six inches of water (I'm not kidding!). At other points, the underbrush and trees covered the trail so densely that it was almost impossible to see the rocks jutting up underneath. It all made for slow, wet, and painful going.So today was hard.

But the end is in sight. I just resupplied in town, and I have 4 days of food. That's enough to get me to Delaware Water Gap, at the New Jersey border. And the weather promises to improve. Tomorrow looks not half bad. Perhaps it will be sunny and not hot, or at least cloudy and not raining! But man, today was hard.

-Scribbles (aka Ted)
7:51 p.m. 6/2/2015