1400 Miles in 18 Weeks | TCH Travel

?The past 5 weeks have been wonderful, yet very difficult. I have not been able to post on my blog due to a lack of access to a computer, but there are lots of pictures posted on my Facebook page. The AT is so much more than I ever thought it would be. I am much stronger than I thought I was and miss my home and family more than I expected.

Since my last post I shared a week?of hiking on the trail with my friend Jenny. It was a real treat to actually hike with someone for a change. It made the hard parts a bit easier and the beautiful scenes so much nicer because they were shared. I also?had a wonderful anniversary visit with my husband;?we went to the Gettysburg National Battlefield Park?and Washington, DC for a couple of days. I?was even?able to share some trail magic when I got back on the trail on July 5th, in Mt Holly Springs, PA. The rocks on the trail? in Pennsylvania were over-abundant and painful.

When I arrived in Duncannon, PA it was 104 degrees and my?brain was fried. It took over

Duncannon, Pennsylvania near where the Appalachian Trail crosses the Susquehanna River (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

an hour at the Doyle (one beer and one big glass of ice-cold water) before I could even think about getting something to eat. I was rewarded with a fantastic veggie burger and fries and then the Bash at Billville?by the river was a great way to end the day and hang out with some other hikers and past thru-hikers. Thanks Trailangel Mary and all the rest!

Climbing over many rocks and boulders in PA?was tricky and earned me more than one bruise, but I did it and made it through the state. Water was very scarce and I was surprised not to find more water magic on the trail near roadways.

The Church of the Mountain Hostel in Delaware Water Gap was a great respite for us weary thru-hikers and Guitarman?was there to provide magic rides all over the town and beyond. The hostel at ST. Thomas Episcopal church in Vernon, NJ was a real treat and I was picked up by a limo driver and taken back to the trail on my way out-of-town.

I had to get off the trail in NJ to get to the VA for some medical treatment, but was able to make up the time off before getting off in NY due to severe weather. After getting back on in Greenwood Lake and hiking two days I was again forced off due to torrential rains. I found my way to a road and waved down a car. The driver didn?t see me, but one of the passengers did and they came back and picked me up. I was soaked to the skin and my clothes were dripping, but my fellow hikers (not thru-hikers) gave me a ride in to Mahwah, NJ and I am again trying to dry out and hope to find a ride back to the trail tomorrow weather permitting. Finding a hotel in the pouring rain in strange territory was not easy and I?ve ended up about 15 miles from the trail and not an easy place to hitch from. Cross your fingers that I will be able to get a ride that won?t break the bank.

I have nine weeks left to cover just a bit over 784 miles to get to Mt. Katahdin, ME and I know there is more tricky terrain to cover that will require my strength and courage.?Completing the Appalachian Trail as a thru-hiker is not for the faint of heart or for sissies.

I can?t tell you how much I am looking forward to getting home to my husband and cats; and seeing my new grandson for the first time. This adventure has been way more than I ever expected and I wouldn?t have it any other way. Hiking the AT is a 25-year dream that requires a big commitment. One must really know why they are doing it, otherwise it?could be?given up along the way.

If you have not yet made a donation to the Denver Fisher House, please do so now. I can?t tell you how great it feels when I get an e-mail telling me?that a donation has been made. Thanks so much for your generosity and care for our military families.

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I am a massage therapist, reflexologist, and aromatherapist. I have a private practice in Denver, CO. I enjoy hiking and backpacking. Travel and adventure are high on my list of interests, along with reading, writing, learning and growing.

Source: http://tchtravel.com/2012/07/28/1400-miles-in-18-weeks/

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