Mile 1412 Appalachian Trail

Mile 1412

We are finally back on the on the AT after 3 weeks off in order to work in Virginia Beach on a contract job with our defense contractor. Getting back was tough, our feet were not use to the walking, but we are rolling now. Made up great time. We are in NY , terrain is starting to gain altitude , we have been jaded by Virginia and Pennsylvania not having any serious mountains. Our beards are gone, I'm probably going to keep a close shave from now on, it just feels better lol.
I will get back soon

- Nomad


Sent from my iPhone

 

Pennsylvania AT

 

Morning Fog & Trail Angels Below...

                                                       3 Mile Swamp Through New Jersey

                                                          New York & Yours Truly....

Mile 1125

Mile 1125


It's been a few weeks since I posted last, a lot happening on the trail these days. Coda is official off the trail for now at least, doing 18 plus miles in 100 degree heat is to much for her. 
So she is back in Georgia; in air condition lying on a couch.

We walked through Harperss ferry, WV which was motivating ; then went to see my sis and parents for the Holiday weekend, Leif's parents came to grab coda, which made it really nice. My brother and sister put on a BBQ show like usual, and we really appreciated it! Seriously I think that single weekend was my rejuvenation to hike the second half of our trip. We are now officially more than half way,  it is a good feeling to be on the down slide. it's definitely something special to travel so far I'm proud of what we have done and continue to do every day it is not easy mentally or physically.
I will be In touch soon.

-Nomad

                                                              

                                                                     Harper's Ferry

                                                        Nomad At Washington State Park

                                                                1st Washington Monument

                                                            Crossing I-70 In Pennsylvania

                                                   Half Way Baby!! PA Your Son Is Back!!

                                                                   Pennsylvania

                                         Seeing my man eating cake is worth every 1000 miles.

1000 Mile Marker on Appalachian Trail

                                                                1000 Miles Baby!

Virginia

                                                                   Northern Virginia

                          The Nicest Sign I Have Seen on The AT, Must Be Getting Close to DC.

               I have never seen this many direction signs in one place, probably so the city folk don't get lost..lol.

              Only in Northern Virginia will you find the AT freshly mowed!!! LOL

Mile 978

Mile 978

The last few weeks have been interesting. We have pretty much seen the last of what the south has in store. For the 1st time I actually feel like we have accomplished something when we reached 900 miles. It's hard to explain and surreal  when I think about 900 miles anywhere and we are not even half way done lolol. Coda will be going home for a month, the heat and miles are to much for her right now, and the heat is only going to get worse. We will be in Harpers Ferry , WV on wed. It feels good especially because the vision of me hiking the AT started when I visited Harpers Ferry last fall, and couldn't seem to get the thought out of my head. So I'm excited to actually walk through there this time with a pack on my back and the full beard I have earned as an AT thru hiker class of 2012.

Last week we aqua blazed through 50 miles of the Shenandoah's it's actually 80 trail miles if you choose to hike it, canoeing is a good way to break up the trip and give the legs a rest. It was fun we made a good choice. Hiking Virginia is 600 miles just in this state alone roughly one quarter of the entire trip. Virginia is a mental  beast, I have seen more people stray or quit due to injuries, financial strain or just sick and tired of hiking in Virginia, even some of the strongest of hikers are off the trail by now. Leif and I both feel fortunate to still be among the few still on track to finish in Maine by October. I have to give most of the credit to our family and friends even friends of family and friends .for their amazing support, we are just doing the walking but they are the ones keeping us here and driving ahead on schedule. In All we people ask me how we do it, I honestly don't know, I guess I just take it 5 miles at a time and that has lead to 978 miles traveled.

The heat this summer is exhausting, 5 miles feel like 10 with the sun and humidity bearing down on you. I can drink 5 liters of water while hiking and still manage to be on the brink of dehydration by the end of the day when we are finished. We welcome rain for the first time on the trip , but I have to admit no matter how hot it gets, I would tater sweat to death than freeze to death any day because in my mind, the cold is just demoralizing.
God speed to all those hikers left we are all out here sweating together.

~Nomad


Sent from my iPhone

Pictures on the AT June 2012

                                                                          Aqua Blazing

                                                 Coda rolled in Cow DuDu, time for a bath.

                                                      Nomad and Leif

                                                         Coda tethered to a life vest.

                                                          Soaking up the love.

                                                                Leif and our friend Albe.