Sun, May 29, 2016 I was pitched on a small triangular area of ground with a young couple at the far side of a tree and brush just beyond my tent and a couple of older guys across a path from me.  One of them was particularly interested in my adventure.  The couple packed up […]

Sat, May 28, 2016 The day dawned bright and sunny.  I retrieved my food and supplies from Mike and Debbie’s van and we had breakfast together.  I even had some of their pancakes and syrup.  “The mercy of others.”  I took pictures of my kind hosts while Theo entertained us all, thanked them for their […]

Fri, May 27, 2016 We had a fairly easy-profile day.  A lot of long straight paths all cleared.  So different from what we’d encounter in the north.  I’ve been telling people that I averaged about 10 miles per day and that my longest day was 20.1 miles (already done) and my shortest was 2.7 miles […]

Thu, May 26, 2016 I had breakfast nearby with a fellow hiker, then packed to return to the trail.  I remember thinking my pack very heavy with my resupply.  I hoisted it to my back and wondered how I was going to haul this monster through the woods. I would wonder this many times and […]

Wed, May 25, 2016 It would be a zero day in Waynesboro which I very soon learned was a very trail-friendly town. Towns along the AT are used to hikers, especially thru-hikers, and they welcome them.  They create a constant flow of “tourists” over the hiking season and they are appreciated for their business and […]

Tue, May 24, 2016 The day started in rain.  Surprise!  I ate breakfast in my tent and gradually the rain let up.  On my way back from my morning visit with Mother Nature I noticed a Jack-in-the-pulpit flower which I had not seen since I was a kid growing up in Connecticut and running free […]

Mon, May 23, 2016 I was awake at 5:48 a.m. when I took a picture of Theo asleep in the dark.  By 6:15, I was having breakfast in my tent while sitting against my pack and sleeping pad as a cushioned chair. Sitting like this would have been impossible in my Fly Creek UL2 with […]

Sun, May 22, 2016 I don’t remember if I was still up or just woke up from the rain pelting the tent.  Whichever it was, I loved it! Nothing was cozier on the trail than being comfortable under a thin piece of fabric as the world outside became anything but cozy.  A home in a […]

Sat, May 21, 2016 Three Springs was so named because of – guess what? – 3 springs.  That many springs flow under the hostel and Oma said there are many more under her grounds.  This led to a discussion of the water table and the effect on the hostel and work that had to be […]

Fri, May 20, 2016 For some reason I don’t recall, I awoke near 2:00 a.m. and took a picture of Theo and me.  It appeared that I was using him for a pillow which, but for a short, affectionate time, I don’t remember ever doing. Speaking of “pillow,” let me tell you what worked really […]