Had a great zero day yesterday with his friends from Penn State area. Paul stayed overnight at one of their homes. His mom made a great home-cooked meal for dinner, and in the morning at the other guy's house, his mom made him a delicious breakfast. During the day, they biked over to the campus. Then they played frisbee at a local park. He said it was "the perfect zero day and weather for it."
Tonight he will be camping alone at a special point on a mountain. It is called the Pinnacle. He said it has an awesome view. He is planning to get up and watch the sunrise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZW3A2J5-Qw&feature=related
Tomorrow, he will continue on, but at a slow pace. His friend, Mike, is about 100 miles behind.
Monday, April 30, 2012
April 29, 2012
Received a text from Paul:
Ended up taking a zero day hanging out with friends in Penn State area. About to eat dinner, back on trail tomorrow.
Ended up taking a zero day hanging out with friends in Penn State area. About to eat dinner, back on trail tomorrow.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
April 28, 2012
Spoke to Paul this evening. He was on his way to Penn State, yes Penn State. Slightly off the trail.
http://www.psu.edu/
He met two former thru hikers on trail today, and they invited him back to hang out at their place near the campus. He sounded all excited. One guy has a patch. And as Paul always says about most of the people he meets on the trail...they are cool.
http://www.psu.edu/
He met two former thru hikers on trail today, and they invited him back to hang out at their place near the campus. He sounded all excited. One guy has a patch. And as Paul always says about most of the people he meets on the trail...they are cool.
Friday, April 27, 2012
April 27, 2012
Made it to 501 Shelter, Berks, PA. Hiking with an "older guy" still hoping Mike with catch up.
http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1156691205050712321XjAMER
http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1156691205050712321XjAMER
Thursday, April 26, 2012
April 25, 2012
Stopped at hotel, picked up the package and new shoes. Paul had ordered a new pair of shoes to be sent to hotel. The company he purchased his hiking boots from had a one-year warranty. His boots have received some major wear and tear. One boot has a hole in it. Now, he is happy to have solid, new boots.
Gave me a heads up on plans: in one week he hopes to be at the Delaware Water Gap. Will take a day or two off to relax at his friend, Danny's country house in the Poconos. Then back to the trail, thru NJ in a few days, and then...Bear Mountain.
Therefore, he's hoping some of the family might come up to meet him in Bear Mountain. Anyone interested?
Therefore, he's hoping some of the family might come up to meet him in Bear Mountain. Anyone interested?
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
April 24, 2012
Made it to Pine Grove. http://www.cnyhiking.com/ATinPA-PineGroveFurnaceStatePark.htm
On his own. Taking a break from Achilles. He went ahead, Paul's hoping his friend, Mike (the one who found Nutty) will catch up with him in the next day or two. Until then, Duncannon, PA- only about 4 miles away. Will stop at hotel to pick up package we sent him. It's loaded with lots of healthy goodies like granola bars, protein powder, and peanut butter. Expects to eat a meal at the hotel and continue on. Weather has improved a lot.
On his own. Taking a break from Achilles. He went ahead, Paul's hoping his friend, Mike (the one who found Nutty) will catch up with him in the next day or two. Until then, Duncannon, PA- only about 4 miles away. Will stop at hotel to pick up package we sent him. It's loaded with lots of healthy goodies like granola bars, protein powder, and peanut butter. Expects to eat a meal at the hotel and continue on. Weather has improved a lot.
April 23, 2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
April 22, 2012
Rainy day. Slow hiking. about 10 miles. Stopped at an infamous place known to thru hikers for a challenge. Ice cream challenge. 1/2 gallon.
Disappointed. Didn't even have ice cream less than a year old. The guy at the store went out and got new ice cream for them to eat. Of course, they waited and took on the challenge.
Both feeling tired and full. Looking forward to getting into his sleeping bag with a book. Forgot the shelters name he's staying at tonight. Tired of rain. Rain, Rain, Go Away...
Disappointed. Didn't even have ice cream less than a year old. The guy at the store went out and got new ice cream for them to eat. Of course, they waited and took on the challenge.
Both feeling tired and full. Looking forward to getting into his sleeping bag with a book. Forgot the shelters name he's staying at tonight. Tired of rain. Rain, Rain, Go Away...
Saturday, April 21, 2012
April 21, 2012
Text from Paul tonight:
Tom's Run Shelter. Raining. With a bunch of people huddled up. Will call tomorrow definitely.
Tom's Run Shelter. Raining. With a bunch of people huddled up. Will call tomorrow definitely.
Friday, April 20, 2012
April 19, 2012
Text from Paul yesterday:
Completed 40 mile Maryland challenge, went back to Pen Mar Park to tent out. In the north, back again!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
April 18, 2012
Made it to historic Harper's Ferry, West Virginia!
http://www.bikewashington.org/canal/canal_e.php
Will be taking two days to rest after forging through the rest of Virginia and West Virginia. Paul is meeting up with a trail friend from Washington, D.C. and he's going to spend the day relaxing in DC with him. Then it's back to Harper's Ferry, and continuing on with Achilles. Their goal is to complete 40+ miles in a day. Basically they plan to zoom through Maryland.
http://www.bikewashington.org/canal/canal_e.php
Will be taking two days to rest after forging through the rest of Virginia and West Virginia. Paul is meeting up with a trail friend from Washington, D.C. and he's going to spend the day relaxing in DC with him. Then it's back to Harper's Ferry, and continuing on with Achilles. Their goal is to complete 40+ miles in a day. Basically they plan to zoom through Maryland.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
April 15, 2012
Brief phone call today from Paul. He wanted to know how Nutty's adjusting. "How's Nutty's nuttiness?"
He's doing fine, and Tess, our eight-year old dog, is warming up to him a little more every day.
We got disconnected after about a minute:( However, he texted me back later to say he was at the
Jim and Mary (Molly) Denton Shelter, VA.
Paul has hiked about 965 miles so far. About 1,200 more to go!
He's doing fine, and Tess, our eight-year old dog, is warming up to him a little more every day.
We got disconnected after about a minute:( However, he texted me back later to say he was at the
Jim and Mary (Molly) Denton Shelter, VA.
Paul has hiked about 965 miles so far. About 1,200 more to go!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Got a call from Paul the other morning. He was at the vet with Nutty. Nutty woke up limping and was sluggish. Paul was concerned he might have lyme disease or sustained some type of injury. The vet administered some blood tests for various things, but all came back negative. She said the hiking was just too much for Nutty.
Then he asked if we could come down to Waynesboro, VA to pick up Nutty. Few hours later, we were on the road to rescue him. We drove down, shopped at Walmart, took the boys out for Italian food, slept over at a Quality Inn, ate breakfast together, then drove them to the entrance of the Shenandoah National Park.
Paul's hiking companion is Achilles (trail name). He's from the Boston area and a Red Sox fan! He
is helping to alter Paul's (die-hard Yankees fan) jaded perspective on Boston and the Red Sox. Both are determined to finish the hike by early July.
Nutty has been home in New York for a day now and adjusting well. He's a sweetie. Only drawback,
he sheds A LOT...of white hair:(
Monday, April 9, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
April 8, 2012
Called from a phone borrowed from a couple named, Thunder and Lightning. Paul told them about the poor service he's been getting and the trouble calling home to give me updates. They offered their phone right away. They gave him an apple as well. They had heard about his missing Nutty adventure. Paul really enjoyed talking to this "cool couple." They said they wanted to stay in touch. They are southbounders (Maine-Georgia). I plan to invite them on the blog.
So far on this hike, Paul has been experiencing the awesomeness of nature's beauty and the goodness of people. I'm starting to be convinced anyone who needs a "reality check" should go for a hike!
He's planning to call Aunt Elsie's today to extend Easter greetings to the family.
I'm posting his reapplication to Hunter College this week. He's determined to get back in September. I suppose that's his next goal to finish college as soon as he can!
So far on this hike, Paul has been experiencing the awesomeness of nature's beauty and the goodness of people. I'm starting to be convinced anyone who needs a "reality check" should go for a hike!
He's planning to call Aunt Elsie's today to extend Easter greetings to the family.
I'm posting his reapplication to Hunter College this week. He's determined to get back in September. I suppose that's his next goal to finish college as soon as he can!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
April 5, 2012
Good News! Nutty has been found! Thanks to a fellow hiker and possibly St. Anthony.
Called Paul a few minutes ago, and I 'm happy to report he sounded like himself. He was upbeat and optimistic. He was just about to enjoy a calzone "the size of a baby." In about an hour, he will be meeting the hiker who found Nutty along the trail. Nutty will be returned. I asked if he plans to give the hiker some kind of reward, and he said he will offer him food. Food means everything to the hikers.
The day was rainy, not a lot of hiking done. He's in Glasgow, VA with another hiker. The hiker is Paul's age and from Atlanta. He's a "cool guy."
Therefore, by tomorrow morning, happy trails continue:)
Called Paul a few minutes ago, and I 'm happy to report he sounded like himself. He was upbeat and optimistic. He was just about to enjoy a calzone "the size of a baby." In about an hour, he will be meeting the hiker who found Nutty along the trail. Nutty will be returned. I asked if he plans to give the hiker some kind of reward, and he said he will offer him food. Food means everything to the hikers.
The day was rainy, not a lot of hiking done. He's in Glasgow, VA with another hiker. The hiker is Paul's age and from Atlanta. He's a "cool guy."
Therefore, by tomorrow morning, happy trails continue:)
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
April 4, 2012
Paul left a sad voice message today:
Some bad news...lost Nutty. Paul and three other guys around his age were hiking along at a good pace, when Nutty ran off like he always does. However, this time he didn't come back. Paul left some messages at different registers along the way to call him in case anyone sees or finds Nutty.
He plans to be at Buena Vista, VA tomorrow or the next day. He wasn't definite. It sounds like he's ready to turn around and head back for Nutty if anyone calls. Everyone pray to St. Anthony and Nutty may be found!
Some bad news...lost Nutty. Paul and three other guys around his age were hiking along at a good pace, when Nutty ran off like he always does. However, this time he didn't come back. Paul left some messages at different registers along the way to call him in case anyone sees or finds Nutty.
He plans to be at Buena Vista, VA tomorrow or the next day. He wasn't definite. It sounds like he's ready to turn around and head back for Nutty if anyone calls. Everyone pray to St. Anthony and Nutty may be found!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
April 4, 2012
Text last night:
At a motel in Daleville, hanging with some guys I've met around my age. Bringing Nutty to the animal
clinic to get his shots and whatnot.
Looks like Daleville is about half way through Virginia. He's approaching the George Washington National Forest, and later he will be entering the Shenandoah National Park. Virginia is BIG!
http://rhodesmill.org/thefox/maps/at4.jpg
At a motel in Daleville, hanging with some guys I've met around my age. Bringing Nutty to the animal
clinic to get his shots and whatnot.
Looks like Daleville is about half way through Virginia. He's approaching the George Washington National Forest, and later he will be entering the Shenandoah National Park. Virginia is BIG!
http://rhodesmill.org/thefox/maps/at4.jpg
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