I haven't sat down at a computer since Connecticut and like I said before, thoughts still don't flow naturally when sitting at a computer. According to the books here at the Appalachian Trail Conference, I am the #2 southbounder that has made it to Harper's Ferry, WV. I still am holding to the fact that I'm not trying to go fast, I'm just really enjoying the journey and hiking my own hike. It does get kind of annoying when you tell people when you start and they say, "wow, you're flying!!!" Um no, actually I'm walking and I just like to hike a long time each day. I really love the mornings and the evenings, those are my favorites.
New York was very pleasant, I kept seeing those rock walls and thinking that I'm back in time during the civil war and trying to avoid the enemy.
New Jersey was not all marshy and full of mosquitos like the northbounders said, it was quite beautiful and I was excited to see 3 bears. The mile long boardwalk was really great, even if it was really hot out.
Pennsylvania was not as bad as all the northbounders said it would be, yes there were rocks, but overall it was really flat and the hiking was not bad at all. (I think nobos just need things to complain about.) I kept getting told, oh, the bad part is coming up, well I guess that the bad part was Maryland then. I failed miserably at the 1/2 gallon of ice cream challenge at Pine Grove State Park, just before the 1/2 way point for me. Barb even was there 2 hours after the store closed and let me go in and get it, but I didn't make it very far, I guess I'm just a light weight.
Maryland actually caused me more problems with the rocks than Pennsylvania, but maybe that's because I wasn't expecting them. I thought that since people do the 4 state challenge there, that it must be easy, well, its not.
So now I'm over halfway, which is a pretty big accomplishment, it seems surreal, I can't really phathom it yet. I came out here to process divorce papers being filed and the trail has been very good to me. I have found forgiveness, hope, joy, understanding and contentment, I'm in a very good place and I've said a couple of times that if my time to end the trail comes, I have found what I was searching for.
But until that day comes, I'll keep Springer Mtn, Georgia in my sights.
Thanks for following the journey.
-jason
New York was very pleasant, I kept seeing those rock walls and thinking that I'm back in time during the civil war and trying to avoid the enemy.
New Jersey was not all marshy and full of mosquitos like the northbounders said, it was quite beautiful and I was excited to see 3 bears. The mile long boardwalk was really great, even if it was really hot out.
Pennsylvania was not as bad as all the northbounders said it would be, yes there were rocks, but overall it was really flat and the hiking was not bad at all. (I think nobos just need things to complain about.) I kept getting told, oh, the bad part is coming up, well I guess that the bad part was Maryland then. I failed miserably at the 1/2 gallon of ice cream challenge at Pine Grove State Park, just before the 1/2 way point for me. Barb even was there 2 hours after the store closed and let me go in and get it, but I didn't make it very far, I guess I'm just a light weight.
Maryland actually caused me more problems with the rocks than Pennsylvania, but maybe that's because I wasn't expecting them. I thought that since people do the 4 state challenge there, that it must be easy, well, its not.
So now I'm over halfway, which is a pretty big accomplishment, it seems surreal, I can't really phathom it yet. I came out here to process divorce papers being filed and the trail has been very good to me. I have found forgiveness, hope, joy, understanding and contentment, I'm in a very good place and I've said a couple of times that if my time to end the trail comes, I have found what I was searching for.
But until that day comes, I'll keep Springer Mtn, Georgia in my sights.
Thanks for following the journey.
-jason
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