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United States Round Head

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  • TravelerAppalachian Trail
    1
    11
    Day 115

    Day 113 & 114 - 2nd shoe replacement

    October 24, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 15 °C

    As the title suggests, I need new shoes. This is my second set that I've burned through on this hike. Interestingly in both cases it was the fabric on top that failed, not the sole.

    My first set, Salomons, I think they did not like being repeatedly soaked by the rain I was encountering up in Maine. The many cycles of getting wet and drying out had weakened the fabric. I'd worn them in Aus as well, ultimately they lasted me about 1000 kms (625 miles).

    My new set, Altras (bought because they are what most of the other long-distance hikers were wearing), have lasted 800 kms (500 miles). The last few days a hole appeared on the right foot and has been rapidly expanding. I'm going to replace the shoes sooner rather than later, and not risk the shoe falling apart on the trail and me having to walk like a Gumby until I can get to a town with a decent shoe shop.

    Pulled off the trail into Lebanon. Tried several of the larger shoe shops but none had good quality hiking shoes. Frustrating. Looked up the next town, looks good because they have a REI (pronounced by saying each letter), which is a large outfitters recommended by Billy who is met way back in Maine.

    I tried Chick-fil-A, a chicken sandwich shop that knew was popular. The food was excellent and their gimmick is their staff are very friendly and engaging, kind of like Gus when he is working at Los Pollos Hermanos.

    Stayed at the Inn At Lebanon. Cheapest hotel I've stayed at by far over here. It was fine. People playing slot machines in lobby made it a bit tacky and the breakfast was underwhelming. Also the walls were paper thin and the couple in the room next door were, like, a little bit having fun with each other. But it was, you know, fine.

    On the trail I arrived at a section that had been turned into a swamp as beavers had choked up the river downstream. What feels like about a month ago another hiker had been telling me about this section - that it was very difficult going and very boggy, and to take the detour because it is faster despite it being twice as long.

    I checked the comments on the app and people were saying they made it through ok. The oldest comment was like 2 weeks old and there had only been hot weather and virtually no rain since then. I decided to take the more direct path and it paid off, made it through by log hopping with minimal difficulty.    Read more

  • Calendar-Year Triple Crown 24
    Day 64

    Bottomless Pommes sollte es in DE geben!

    April 4, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 3 °C

    Um es kurz zu halten: Eigentlich änderte sich zu gestern nur wenig. Der Regen hielt weiterhin an und die aufgeweichten Füße genossen die never-ending Fußmassage.

    Um das Ganze aber ein wenig herauszufordernder zu machen, durften wir bis 16:00 Uhr 23,7 (38 km) Meilen laufen, um rechtzeitig beim Post Office in Port Clinton unser Resupply Paket und Jochen endlich seine passenden Schuhe abzuholen. Zum Glück schafften wir es noch rechtzeitig. Ansonsten hätten wir am nächsten Tag bis 12:00 Uhr warten müssen.

    Beinahe hätte es mir allerdings nicht mehr gereicht. Dem Zeitdruck und dem überfluteten Trail war es geschuldet, dass ich fast 20 min einem falschen Trail folgend den Berg hinunterrannte. Leider stellte ich dies zu spät fest. Mithilfe von Google Maps fand ich zurück auf den AT, durfte allerdings einen furchtbar steilen Versorgungsweg oberhalb einer Gaspipeline bergaufwärts laufen.

    Nachdem wir beim Post Office alles im Rucksack verstaut hatten, ging es per „Hitch“ zum Outfitter, da Jochen eine neue Gaskartusche benötigte. Mal wieder mussten wir nicht lange warten, bis ein Auto anhielt. Ein sehr freundliches Paar brachte uns in ihrem nagelneuen Auto direkt zum Outfitter. Das war’s wohl mit dem Neuwagengeruch.. 😅

    Da ich die letzten Tage immer sehr kalte Hände hatte, gab es für mich ein paar Fäustlinge in Camouflage-Optik aus der Jagdabteilung. Die sehen zwar nicht cool aus, eigenen sich aber super für Wandernde mit frostigen Fingern. Besonders die abnehmbare „Kappe“ ist super, um schnell und mit warmen Fingern sein Handy zu bedienen.

    Zum Abschluss gab es, wie soll es auch anders sein, Burger mit „bottomless“ Pommes. Was „bottomless“ bedeutet, hatten wir leider viel zu spät festgestellt… so viel Pommes wie man wollte bzw. essen konnte! 🤯 Wir mussten uns leider mit einem Nachschlag zufriedengeben. 😕

    Viel zu spät sind wir nachts zurück zum Trail und haben dort unser Lager im Pavillon der St. John's Church aufgeschlagen.    Read more

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  • TravelerOn The Road Again
    Day 8

    Twin Grove RV Resort

    July 19, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Great setting in the hills on the edge of Swatara State Park, Appalachian Trail is just south of us. Temp is still in mid 80s. Our neighbour Karl is originally from Braintree, not Essex like Stew, but Massachusetts. Note chill glasses in the freezer before adding beer !!!Read more

  • TravelerAppalachian Tra
    2
    1123
    Day 27

    Pennsylvania Rain

    May 3, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    I guess I complained about the heat too much, because now we’ve had 2 days of heavy rain. Good news — all my stuff is working and I’m keeping relatively dry. And, I have friends who found the pack cover I lost along the way. (Pack covers are VERY important when it’s raining. Luckily I had “belts and suspenders planning” and my stuff in my pack was in a heavy-duty bag.) I am now in a motel room drying things.

    I know I’ve talked about the shelter system before. Two nights ago, I stayed at 501 Shelter, named after the nearby road. It’s an old potter’s shed, completely enclosed with a huge skylight, solar shower, spigot for water, garbage cans, and cord for charging phones. Deluxe! I chose to sleep in a tent when I saw mice crawling down the wall. But, we were able to have pizza delivered, which was a real treat. I think the local restaurant did at least 7 runs to that place 😍

    I also met the young caretaker. Tyler (Trevor?) and his partner, who live in the house next door. They have full-time jobs with environmental agencies but volunteer for the Appalachian Trail significantly. That evening, he was taking a battery-operated power washer to clean off graffiti from rocks at an overlook on the trail. Very cool young man who makes me feel hopeful for the world. (I know, that may make me sound old :)    Read more

  • TravelerAppalachian Trail
    Day 73

    Hertline Campsite 1199.3

    July 15, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    In the morning we got up early and hiked swiftly to the next Shelter as we ran almost out of water. As we arrived next to the Shelter Everest and Braveheart were already making themselves ready for heading out. But as we arrived we chatted a bit and they stayed almost until we were done. We really enjoy their company.
    After the breakfast we went for the upcoming parking lot were we scheduled to meet with Daniel and his family. We arrived there a bit early and there was already a hiker who waited to be picked up. He just quit the trail and planned to go home to the beach. He said it was just not his thing... And right at this point it was less than 1000 miles to Kathadin. For us that was super motivational. But sometimes it's better to quit something early enough than to stick to hard to it. So, as I said, we were boosted by the fact that it's less than 1000 miles... It's just crazy when looking at the map how far we've come, we sometimes can't really believe it. We still feel like newbies compared to other hikers that optimized their packs to a minimum weight and counting every calorie. While we just hike on :D But as long as it works...

    I dried our food bags that got soaked by the rain of the last days and Julia called Carmen (Feliz cumpleaños!!) and the rest of the family. Soon afterwards Daniel arrived together with some co-workers of him. It was really nice to see them again, it felt like meeting old friends again even though we just knew each other for a month. Together we hiked to a Shelter that was 2 miles further and on the way we came by two nice viewpoints. It was a perfect day for a hike, the sun was shining but the humidity was pretty low with a nice breeze.
    At the Shelter we started a fire and Daniel grilled burgers. His wife made a delicious bowl of salad, oven baked vegetables and a fruit salad. That was the best meal we've had since starting the trail!! They even brought us resupply and a balloon for trail magic.
    Because in celebration of the birth of Gordito we wanted to do some trail magic for our fellow thru hikers. Unfortunately there didn't come by many hikers today but we still managed to find some on the way. And the honey buns and cinnamon rolls also tasted good for us :)

    We spent the afternoon chatting (auf Schwäbisch!! :)) and mainly relaxing. It felt like a vacation day and time flew. So unfortunately we needed to separate again later in the afternoon. But hopefully we'll see each other again!! We've hiked for another 7 miles to a beautiful camp spot right next to several streams.    Read more

  • TravelerAppalachian Trail
    Day 72

    Camping near Abandoned powerline 1186.9

    July 14, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 22 °C

    As it was raining heavily in the morning we had a hard time getting up and tearing down the tent. When I finally managed to get out and prepared breakfast there was a downpour, so I went back to the tent and we had our breakfast there. It consisted mainly of cereal bars as we already ate all other breakfast supplies :D
    The elevation today was almost non existent but we had to deal with some rock fields. At some point Julia said that her feet were hurting and so did mine. At the first opportunity we set up the tent, ate our last two packs of pasta side and then went to sleep.    Read more

  • TravelerOn The Road Again
    Day 11

    Swatara SP - Appalachian Trail

    July 22, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Still at Twin Grove RV Park, got the Bromptons out and went for a ride on the Swatara Rail Trail. Crossed the creek on the Appalachian trail bridge. Great trail through the trees, so we were in the shade most of the time, good job as temp was nearly 90F, even the Bromptons needed a rest. Stopped at the store for an icecream back at the RV park. Once the bikes were back in the compartment under coach we went down to the pool to cool off. Leaving tomorrow as park is fully booked. Next stop, somewhere north of here !!!Read more

  • TravelerTail of the Dragon
    Day 18

    Esther's Restaurant

    May 17, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    This is Esther's. It was started in the 50s. They got lucky because someone built a giant trucking warehouse right next to them. That reminds me, earlier in my trip I drove by a warehouse for target that, at 65 mph, took 45 seconds to go by.Read more

  • TravelerHershey PA
    Day 13

    Jacob Hochstetler homestead

    September 15, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F

    Did something really cool today! Visited the site of the Jacob Hochstetler homestead! Thank you so much to the current owner Kevin for letting us visit and showing us around!

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