Sprout Day 65 (Tuesday, May 31st)

Today was a good day!!  Mountain Man and Karma decided to push on and see how her feet and knees were feeling after today and they feel a lot better!!!  It was the best news we could get!!  We are so happy she's starting to feel a little bit better and hope they keep feeling good for the rest of the trip!

RPH Shelter and water!!

We got on the trail and right away realized it was going to be a hot day.  It's been really hot and humid.  We took it slow to ease into hiking right after the break we took last weekend.  

View from trail

Bubbles and I on the trail today

When we hiked up to Route 52 Mountain Man and Karma were waiting for us.  They wanted to see if we wanted to grab lunch at the Mountaintop Market Deli, which was just .4 mile east.  We were definitely in for the idea so we all headed down the road to the deli.  It was a great stop with great food, cold drinks, snacks, and an electrical outlet so we could charge our phones.

After a few hours passed we all decided to stay for the night and hike a little extra tomorrow. There's camping 50 yards from the deli.  We stayed and had a few more drinks and ate some more food.  Our friend Whiskers was there and decided to stay for the night too.  It felt great to relax and have a good time, especially since it is so hot.  New York is known for having a lot of Delis along the Appalachian trail. They're the best because of their food and it has been amazing.  Definitely some of the best subs I've ever had. They cut the meat fresh and make the sub however you want.

Day:  65

Miles hiked:  5.1

Total Miles hiked on the trail:  572.2

Bears:   0

Butterflies:  8

Chipmunks:  3

Cows:  24

Crawfish:  1

Deer:  20

Donkeys:  2

Horses:  12

Inchworm:  1

Really Big Dog:  1

Mice:  2

Nest of bugs:  2

Newts:  2

Owl:  1

Rabbit:  1

Skunk:  1

Snail:  1

Snake:  2

Squirrels:  11

Toads:  3

Trout:  2

Turkeys:  4

Turtles:  107

Vultures:  6

Woodpecker:  1

Smudgy Cheeks Day 65 (Tuesday, May 31st, 2016)

I hiked 8.8 miles to the next shelter today.  I stopped at Tony's Deli again to charge my phone and then headed back out.  I wanted to do 20 miles today but I'm listening to my body.  It told me to stop so I'm spending the rest of the day here at the shelter relaxing!

Massive farm structure

Sign on a tree today

Biggest Oak tree on the trail.  It is massive!!!

Day:  65

Miles hiked:  8.8

Total Miles hiked on the trail:  519.8

Bear: 1

Chipmunk: 1
Deer: 1

Snakes: 2
Toads: 2

Vulture: 1

Zoo Animals:   2 foxes, 1 porcupine, 1 bobcat, 1 turtle, 2 bears

Sprout Days 58-64 (Tuesday, May 24, 2016 - Monday, May 30th, 2016)

Pictures from Graymoor Spiritual Life Center (May 24 & 25)

Some people camped here too

We zeroed here at the pavilion

Free shower (cold water though!!!)

Great place to have a fire

Back on the trail (May 26)

Can you find the toad?

Beautiful day to hike!

Mountain Man and Karma on the trial

Trail today

Hike to our pickup!!! (May 27)

Can you spot the hikers?

Bubbles drinking some water while hiking on the trail

Incredible roots!!  I think the one in the middle looks like an alligator!

Love Chipotle! (The tortilla couldn't handle my massive burrito!!!)

We had an amazing weekend with the family and we were able to introduce Mountain Man and Karma to some of our family members.  It was a great weekend.  We went to an amazing wedding in Cooperstown, New York and we all had a great time.  It was a two day break and it felt good to be with close people from home and to finally introduce our trail family to some of the people that they have been hearing so much about.  At one point all of us were out on the dance floor dancing, laughing, and having a great time. Jimmy was the best man, it was great seeing him and hanging out for a couple of days.

The food was delicious!

Reception was in a greenhouse!  It was really cool!

Poppa Lip and Bubbles boogieing on the dance floor!

On Sunday Bubbles and Freddy a.k.a. Flying Dutchman went back and hiked 6.5 miles by Bear Mountain.  Bubbles got off the trail last week to have dinner with our cousins and had to make up those miles.  Flying Dutchman wants to be on the trail and was happy to go with her!  I wish I could've been there with them but Mb took Mountain Man, Karma, and me to REI to get some more supplies that we needed for the trail.  Flying Dutchman did a great job, we can't wait to see you back out on the trail whenever you get the opportunity! We wish you were here now!

We were so thankful Mb was able to take us to REI. We got some Merino wool t-shirts and I got a pair of Merino boxers too. Merino wool is a special wool that doesn't hold sweat in like some cheaper fabric and dries quickly.  It’s basically a must have for how hot and humid it's been. We both got an air mattress this weekend and I couldn't be happier.  I wasn't getting the best sleep on my sleeping pad and have been wanting an air mattress for awhile now.  Bubbles picked up some new shoes because the ones she had were worn out from all the rocks.  Our initial plan was to get back on the trail Sunday evening but time went by quicker than we anticipated.

We ended up getting hotel room for the night and got dropped off earlier today where we were picked up off the trail. It's really hard leaving family and getting back on the trail.  Of course we want to be out here hiking and doing what we're doing but we are really close to our family and have a wonderful family. Whenever you see someone from home it makes you miss everyone else.  We are truly blessed to have this problem, we hope we see you guys again soon and hope everyone else from home can come out at some point.

We got to the shelter and started talking to Mountain Man and Karma about their hike and eventually got to the topic of them getting off the trail.  It was devastating because we love hiking with them!  Karma has been having terrible feet and ankle pain and now it might be moving to her knees.  It's going to be hard to keep moving on if they have to get off, it has been great being with them for as much time as we have. I think they are going to try to continue on and I hope they do.  We ordered Chinese food and had it delivered to the road outside the shelter. Mountain Man and I tossed a frisbee around that I bought this past weekend. It was a great evening but still a sad one.  All we could think about was the possibility of them leaving and it's not something we want to happen. I hope we all wake up tomorrow and can continue moving on.

In memory of those lost on 9/11

View from the trial today!

Stream

Memory plaque

Day:  64
Miles hiked:  7

Total Miles hiked on the trail:  567.1

Bears:   0

Butterflies:  8

Chipmunks:  3

Cows:  24

Crawfish:  1

Deer:  20

Donkeys:  2

Horses:  12

Inchworm:  1

Really Big Dog:  1

Mice:  2

Nest of bugs:  2

Newts:  2

Owl:  1

Rabbit:  1

Skunk:  1

Snail:  1

Snake:  2

Squirrels:  11

Toads:  3

Trout:  2

Turkeys:  4

Turtles:  107

Vultures:  6

Woodpecker:  1

Guest Post by Mb (May 30, 2016)

We had a great weekend!  Most of our adventure has been covered by other blogs but I thought I would add a few things:

Bubbles at the wedding reception

First of all, Fred and I were going to drive home on Sunday.  However, our trip to REI turned out to be a bit of a disaster.  I’ve always found the people who work at REI to be extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the outdoors.  The REI in Yonkers was a different story.  Usually the people working there have extensive knowledge about their departments.  The guy in the backpack area was sitting on backpack workstation flirting with girls.  When asked a question his answer was either, “I don’t know” or “we don’t sell that here”.  The girl who helped Karma with shoes was pretty nasty and had no idea what she was talking about.  Overall, it was a disappointing visit.  

Secondly, Bubbles mentioned crossing over a highway in one of her blogs.  I thought they were all exaggerating when they spoke about how fast the cars were going.  They were not.  At one point in our travels this weekend we drove down the Palisades Parkway, which the hikers walked over last week.  While Bubbles drove I watched the Appalachian Trail on the map to see exactly when we would drive over it.  I thought for sure there would be a big sign indicating that hikers were crossing the highway and drivers needed to slow down.  Instead there was a tiny sign on the side of the road indicating that hikers might be crossing the road.  I took a picture of the hikers next to a sign that was identical when I dropped them off on Monday. Seriously, if I hadn't been looking for the trail I wouldn't have seen this tiny sign!!!!

This is the sign on the side of the parkway.  INSANE!!!

This is what Bubbles looks like the morning that she is getting dropped off on the trail.

Sprout trying on his new bug net with Bubbles

Fred, Sprout, Bubbles, Mountain Man, and Karma before the four hikers got back on the trial

Bubbles Day 64 (Monday, May 30th, 2016)

Happy Memorial Day!!  This holiday reminds me of my grandfather.  He passed away Memorial Day weekend five years ago.  My grandpa served in the Navy during World War 2 and was a great man.  He never boasted about being in the military.  He never spoke about it actually.  It was his duty to defend his country and he served proudly.  I would like to thank all of the service men and women who died in active military service and remember that they died for my freedoms.

My sister Marybeth and brother-in-law Freddy dropped us off at the Clarence Fahnestock State park.  I didn't want to leave them.  They have been such a great support system for us.  The weekend together felt like it flew past. Who hit the fast forward button?

The hike was hot and humid with a side of biting evil mosquitos. I wanted it to be over as soon as it started. I already had been crying on and off because I had to say bye to my family.  When we got to the shelter Karma and Mountain Man were sitting at the picnic table.  I could tell something was wrong. I asked Karma what was up and she began to cry. When Karma cries, I cry.  I can't help it.  The shoes she got from REI hurt her feet even worse today and she had major knee pains.  Mountain Man said she basically limped the last two miles to the shelter. Karma has been through four or five different pairs of shoes. They discussed potentially leaving the trail for a week or two to heal and find the right shoes.  I was crushed.  I am not ready for them to leave the trail or me.  I need them here.  We have such a strong bond and connection.  It can't end here and now, not after the wonderful wedding and weeks of hiking together.  Karma told me that her dreams of being a thru hiker were over.  She wouldn't complete the trail.  There have been too many zeros and shorter mile days to try to heal feet.  She was so sad and so was I.  We laid in our bunks and cried ourselves to sleep.  I could hear karma. She could probably hear me.  I don't want to lose the other half of the splendid sore sole sister's club. She is a founding member.  Mountain Man is like my brother. I  tease him like he is.  He has a great sense of humor and we laugh often together.  Losing them on the trail will be like losing part of my heart.  

Sprout on the trail

Another orchid!!

Up a tree

Flowers on the trail

Heart on a petal

Heart petal flower

Flowers on the trail

Boardwalk on trail

Flowers are so beautiful

Smudgy Cheeks Day 64 (Monday, May 30th, 2016)

I hiked 7.8 miles to the next shelter today.  It was raining most of the day.  All of my stuff is wet so I'm going to hang my clothes so that they are dry tomorrow.

Happy Memorial Day!

Another huge tree on the AT

Day:  64

Miles hiked:  7.8

Total Miles hiked on the trail:  511

Bear: 1

Chipmunk: 1
Deer: 1

Snakes: 2
Toads: 2

Vulture: 1

Zoo Animals:   2 foxes, 1 porcupine, 1 bobcat, 1 turtle, 2 bears

Guest Blog... Flying Dutchman Sunday, May 27th

Mb and I picked up Bubbles, Sprout, Mountain Man, and Karma on Friday, May 27th near a beautiful lake in New York State.  Several times I wanted to jump in this beautiful lake until Sprout made me aware that swimming was prohibited.  What a bummer!!!!  We also picked up Smudgy Cheeks at Tony’s Deli and we took the opportunity to try a Turkey Sub which was the speciality of the Deli. The food party just started!!  Mb looked at her GPS to find out where the closest Chipotle was located in the area.  It turned out to be located out of state in Connecticut by about 20 miles.  From Chipotle we were on our way to a wedding in Cooperstown, NY where the Baseball Hall of Fame is located.  We met up with my father-in-law and my brother-in-law, who was the best man of the wedding.  They were staying in a room at a house called the 1819 House, which was reserved for the wedding party.  Before we could sleep we needed to stop at Walmart.  Bubbles, Mountain Man, Karma, and Smudgy Cheeks needed to get clothes for the wedding and some miscellaneous things needed for backpacking on the trail.  We ended that evening with Rodeo Burgers, Whoppers, and a couple of cold beers.

The next day, our father-in-law took us to a breakfast place in downtown Cooperstown, NY called the Doubleday Cafe.  The breakfast was nice and big. The interior of the cafe was decorated with pictures of baseball.  After breakfast we headed back to the room we shared with Mb, my father-in-law, brother-in-law, and five hikers!  I serenaded a couple songs (Country Roads and Volare) on my guitar.

Poppa Lip and Bubbles at breakfast

We left for the wedding ceremony around 2:00 in a Catholic church in downtown Cooperstown. The pastor was hard to understand and he sounded sometimes a little bit rude.  After his sermon and ceremony we congratulated the bride and the groom and met at 5:00 o’clock at the Origins Cafe at Carefree Garden for the wedding reception and the wedding party.

I highly recommend this place: http://www.celebrateorigins.com/#about

The Origins Cafe is inside a greenhouse and you can see green peppers growing inside, coffee trees, bananas, and even pineapple.  It was hot and humid inside but the food that was served was the best food I ever had tasted at any weddings.  The DJ that was contracted for the wedding was really good and it seems that he made his music selection by observing his public. I was surprised to hear a couple Indian pop songs, Latin American songs, and also some Benny Goodman songs.

Sprout and Bubbles at the reception

Mountain Man and Karma at the reception

The next day on Sunday, my father-in-law and my brother-in-law left early.  We drove separately in our van and dropped off Smudgy Cheeks at the place where he left the trail. My wife, Sprout, Mountain Man, and Karma went to the REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.)in Yonkers, NY:

https://www.rei.com/

I didn’t go to REI because I decided to give the trail a shot.  I walked with Bubbles six miles that she had to make up.  We were dropped off at Bear Mountain, NY near the Trailside Zoo.  Before getting into the Zoo entrance we walked through a park filled with thousand of families picnicking for memorial weekend.  Many of the animals were sleeping and invisible but I did see one bear.  The weather was a mix of heat with wind but the perfect weather for hiking.  

The bridge over the Hudson was amazing and was the easiest part of the hike.  After this we went onto the trail and then we had to descend and ascend two different hills.  I think the climb was about 400 feet with some rocks and bugs were trying to bugger me at all times.  I also saw many caterpillars on the ground and old autumn leaves.  A couples times I slipped on the leaves.  Luckily, Bubbles loaned me her trekking poles so I didn’t fall.  On our way we saw 2 groups of thru hikers that had already had their camp set up.  Overall, I can say this was my Appalachian Trail baptism and this was visible (all that sweat on my face!!!!) I start now to understand the magic of the trail and wish to walk more often on the trail in the future.

Bubbles Day 63 (Sunday, May 29th, 2016)

Today was a wonderful day.  I made up the 6 or 7 miles I missed when I got off the trail to see my cousins.  It was an awesome feeling to be making up those miles.  What made it even better was hiking with my brother-in-law Freddy.  He offered to hike with me so I didn't have to do it solo.  We talked a lot and he carried all the water and snacks. We hiked about the same pace so it was awesome.  We chatted and laughed and it made the hike go by so quick.

Sprout, Mountain Man, and Karma were going to REI with Marybeth. I know they had an awful experience at the REI in Yonkers, New York.  I was shocked.  I had been telling Karma how amazing their employees have been to us and how helpful.  That was not the case for my friends :( The girl who was helping Karma find shoes scared her when she said she needed to see a doctor for her swollen feet.  Obviously, this girl didn't do any serious hiking and the last time I checked, employees of a recreational store shouldn't be giving medical advice to their customers!!  The shoe girl also told Karma that compression socks wouldn't help with swollen ankles.  The lady didn't seem to care much about her job and I felt really bad for Karma, especially considering I had told her that REI was the bees knees of all gear stores.  They got what they needed and I am praying that this helps Karma with her feet problems.

We ended up staying in a hotel instead of getting dropped off at the state park. It is Memorial Day tomorrow and the park was packed!!!

Freddy and I on the trial

Lovely flowers on the trail

Freddy used my trekking poles to go downhill

Freddy on the trial

Selfie Time!

Happy to make up these miles with Freddy