Day 103 - Harpers Ferry (12/10/2016)

Papa Wallaby left me in Harpers Ferry this morning and started the drive home. I'd planned for 9 miles today assuming that the big pack and big miles would make for slow going. Which they did. Eventually.

As usual when I'm in a town, I can't leave, and Harpers Ferry was no different. In fact, it was made worse because of the ATC headquarters that offer a hiker lounge and lots of interesting people. Among them, Cinderella and Waterboy.

I met Cinderella and Waterboy when I was slack packing with Pancake in New Jersey, and have since run into them every time I've been a NOBO, and each time we had a great long conversation. To the point where I started to think it was sad that we didn't get to hang out more on the trail. Turns out they'd been thinking the same thing, so we got a group photo and traded contact details so that we could keep in touch for the rest of our journeys.

I also, finally got a picture of some deer. The deer here are much less skittish, and even hung out 10 yards/metres away from my tent pad while I set up.

Tomorrow, hopefully it'll be right back to bigger miles again, though I think the days of 30+ are gone.

Start: Harpers Ferry, WV

End: David Lesser Shelter

Distance: 9.3 miles

Day 102 - Into the Virginias (11/10/2016)

This is my last day of slack packing, so I decided to go for another big day. Papa Wallaby dropped me off in Harpers Ferry, WV (yep, another state done) and I headed north. The fog on the river created a stunning view as I crossed the bridge.

Day 101 - The Dalmatian of Days (10/10/2016)

I decided on a more modest day today, in part for logistical reasons and in part because I'm still a bit tired. I ran into all of the usual suspects. I'm really beginning to like this cohort of SOBOs. Shakespeare and Flatland, and BXE are too fast for me, but I hope to get more time hiking with Cinderella and Waterboy. So far I've only ever met them while NOBOing.

By far the coolest wildlife experience I've had was today. On the trail, I noticed a large bird on a branch just 30 or 40 yards down the trail. I stopped and tried to get my phone out to take a picture. Just as I was pulling it out, the bird (I think an eagle) flew from the branch and directly at me! It passed with it's wings fully spread out, no more than a foot from my waist, and soared on into the forest and out of sight.

Papa Wallaby tells me that's a good omen. I wish good omens weren't so close to being attacked by a large bird of prey.

Also, I finished Pennsylvania. So that's 8 of 14 states down.

Just as I was ending my hike, I ran into Pancake who had twisted her ankle and was struggling. I offered to give her a ride to Walmart for a resupply, so she and Papa Wallaby met and Papa Wallaby got to play Trail Angel!

Start: Wolfville Rd, Maryland
End: Old Forge Rd, Pennsylvania
Distance: 17.6 miles

Day 100 - Wuckers! (9/10/2016)

I can't believe it's now a full century of days on the trail.

I had planned to do a small day today, maybe 15-20 miles, but realised that I had some stuff to take care of that could benefit from a zero day. Not the least of which was hanging out with Dad. So today started with a bit of a sleep in and then breakfast. Then Papa Wallaby and I headed to Gettysburg to do a little history.

Then we drove to REI near Washington DC and I bought some gear, and we resupplied at Walmart. It was good to just have a day to hang out.

Miles: Zero

PS: you can all thank Genevieve for the title to this blog.

Day 99 - The Wayne Gretzky of Days (8/10/2016)

Back to that NOBO life! I headed out for a 30 mile day this morning. I wore my running shoes, which was mostly fine except that my feet have clearly gotten bigger by about a half-size. I even ran for a few kilometers (in the wrong direction for part of it. sigh.). Papa Wallaby spent the day doing Papa Wallaby things (it involves a huge chocolate bar from the Hershey's factory). NOBO ing was just as much fun again - ran into BXE, Pancake, Trout, Chef, Cinderella, Waterboy, Shakespeare, and Flatland. I only just made it before dark.

Most remarkably, I hit the midpoint of the trail! The miles I have left are now smaller than the miles I've done!

Not the real midpoint anymore, but the most impressive sign.

Start: Old Forge Rd.

End: Pine Grove Furnace

Distance: 30.1 miles

Day 98 - Takin' out the trash (7/9/2016)

Biker and Hiker Trash

Today marks the start of another few days of slack packing. Papa Wallaby came down from Ontario and picked me up at Pine Grove Furnace. He'll slack me for four days, then head home. I'm hoping to get about 100 miles done, though that might be a stretch.

I showered, we had lunch, and visited the Appalachian Harley-Davidson store. The receptionist there was very friendly and asked me to send her a post-card down trail. It was a pretty relaxed day.

Critically, Papa Wallaby brought me a new phone (thanks Colin!!) and my laptop. So a good chunk of the day was spent getting the phone set up, buying an external battery pack, and updating blog entries.

In passing, a quick reminder that lots of photos that don't make the blog are available here.

Start: Tentsite at 1075.9

End: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

Distance: 11.5 miles