Heading out of PA:Pennsylvania flew by as our fastest state yet (mileage per day). We had heard a lot of bad and good things about the state from northbounders. The rocky trail in the first 2/3 of the state was hard in places and very beautiful also.
The Montrail Hardrocks we had been wearing since Stratton, ME, held up really well. Buster's rubber sole started coming off on the inside of his shoe so he's ordered new ones that will come to Harpers Ferry. My shoes were great in the rocks. I have had to get new ones, though, because my feet have grown in width do to all the walking. I've switched to a men's Asolo shoe which is taking a while to break in.
We took one day off in Delaware Water Gap because of the threat of Ernesto. The heaviest rain ended up going west of us but we were glad to be out of the cold drizzle just the same.
We hiked with a fellow south-bounder, Stretch, for the first third of PA and really enjoyed his company. When we pulled into Port Clinton we met up with a Northbound section hiker (Cut-man) who was in the middle of his trip. After talking with him shortly we walked around town for a little while and upon Cut-man offering to buy lunch, we became very hungry. The Port Clinton Hotel has great food, but the service is pretty poor. Thank you Cut-man for the food, and the great company. Mid-way through the state we met my (bluebird's) parents and brother at Swatara Gap.
We all stayed in a couple cabins and my grandparents from DC also came out for the evening. The next day my brother, Christopher, hiked out with us to begin his journey with us to Georgia. For one week now we've been traveling as a trio, Buster, Bluebird and Brotherbird. It's taken a little adjustment to make the transition to having another person along, but on the whole it's working out well.
This week we've done over 115 miles. We have stopped over for one night at my aunt and uncle's house in Fairfield, PA for showers, great home-cooked meals and laundry. We're planning on being in Harpers Ferry Sunday night and in Linden, VA Wednesday morning just in time to go to a big all-you-can-eat buffet in Front Royal for Buster's birthday.
We've figured out that we need to average about 15 miles a day to reach Springer Mt. by Nov. 20. That seems very reasonable and we're getting excited to make the second half a good push.
At the traditional half-way point near Pine Grove Furnace Buster and I each attempted to complete the half-gallon challenge. This is where thru-hikers eat half a gallon their favorite ice-cream to celebrate making it halfway. I only made it 2/3 through mine, but Buster ate his whole thing! The only ill-effects being a bit of shivering by the time the whole thing was done.
Colder weather has definitely set in. Some nights it gets below 45 up in the mountains.
We've just updated the webshots photo album as well. All the new pictures are still in the same old album.
Stay well everyone!
bluebird and buster
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