Bethesda, MD (USA)

[I took part of the day off from work to drive Mollie to a doctor's appointment in Bethesda (MD) - I picked her up (at her new house) at 0930 and we had to deal with a lot of traffic to get to the hospital - we met a new doctor and learned that Mollie's treatment was going very well - on the way home, we made good time - I took Mollie to lunch at Noodles & Co. before I dropped her off (1230) - worked out the drop-off for Mollie's dental cleaning with Erin so I could telework - later in the day, Nicky texted and called to tell me she had left all my personal belongings in the driveway at her old house and that I had nine hours to pick them up - spent the rest of the night (and some of the following morning) picking things up - grrrr...]

Bennington, VT (USA)

[left at 0810 - planned to hike again on a beautiful day but started to think better of it as I drove... - used US-7 to Bennington, then VT-279 - into NY on NY-7, then used NY-22 down to NY-295 - got gas at Old Chatham (NY) at 0905 - got on Taconic State Parkway (very relaxing - cops everywhere, though) and took it to I-84 - making good time until I hit a huge traffic jam (construction) near the Hudson River (westbound) - in Newburgh, switched to NY-9W, then used NY-32 to get to NY-17 (drove through Tuxedo again) - got on I-287 and then I-78 and made great time to Phillipsburg, NJ - GIANT traffic jam to cross the Delaware River - got off Interstate and drove through Allentown (to PA-33) until I could get back on I-78 - it started to rain... - used I-81, I-83 and PA-581 to get to US-15 - in Harrisburg, I hit another (smaller) traffic jam - weather cleared up and I made it to Frederick alright (another traffic jam) - got gas in Frederick (1720) - smooth sailing until the Beltway - then had problems again (ugggghhhh) - arrived home around 1910 - much worse drive than on the way up...]

Danby, VT (USA)

Forecast called for low 90s today and I should have started early - but the comfy bed made that difficult. Grabbed breakfast (McDonalds) in Rutland (0835) and then drove to the trailhead on VT-103. Started SOBO at 0900, bound for the turnaround at Bear Mountain (where I stopped on Friday). The cool streams in Clarendon Gorge were calling but I kept hiking... I didn't see anyone while I was climbing the considerable hill above Rutland - it was tiring and I was sweating profusely by the end of the first hour. I heard the cars on the highway and several airplanes today (not nearly as quiet). But I've forgotten to mention that, even when it's sunny, the thick tree canopy on the trail here can make it seem like dusk. From the ridge, the view of the Rutland-Southern Vermont Airport was amazing - there was even a chair so that hikers could take a brief rest from the climb. A bit later, I started to encounter other section hikers and had a few nice chats. But the temperatures continued to climb and I kept moving... It took all the energy I had today, under the conditions, to make it to the turn (4.60 miles) and I was relieved that it was almost entirely downhill to my car. I was exhausted and overheated, even though I'd only hiked around 10 miles by 1300. Got some energy back with a bowl of maple syrup ice cream at the Whistle Stop in North Clarendon. Headed "home" after that and took a nap. Later, I took a swim in an ice cold river (at Brad's house, across the street from Elizabeth's).  I drove into town to go shopping in Rutland at K-Mart (1830) and then went to dinner at Panera again (1845). I was able to squeeze in another hike (as the sun was setting), NOBO from US-4 to Maine Junction (1.00 miles). This was the location where I logged my last AT miles during the big Northeastern hiking Trip a few years ago (see OCT 2014).  Finished around 2000 and drove back to Danby in the dark.  Logged nearly 12 miles on the AT today, despite the heat. Feeling worn out! Sad that I have to leave in the morning... AT Today = 5.60 miles / G.T. AT = 728.68 miles

Danby, VT (USA)

Got started a little later than I wanted to this morning but didn't have far to drive to the trailhead on Danby-Landgrove Road. Headed NOBO at 0830 and didn't see any people for several hours. Passed Little Rock Pond and marveled at the mirror image on its surface. It is so peaceful on the trail here - I can't hear the roads or airplanes and there hasn't been much wind. Peace and quiet: can't beat it! Eventually, I encountered a trio of older guys from Tennessee who told me they had been section hiking the AT (during spare weekends and holidays) for 29 YEARS (!) and they have just now made it to this point on the trail. I am in awe at their dedication but hope I don't need that many more years to finish... I turned around at Greenwall Shelter (7.00 miles) and headed back towards my car. Many more people were now out for a stroll - it was downright crowded! I took a side trip to enjoy the views from the White Rocks Cliff (wow!). Saw two hikers who made me think "hmmmm": an older dude in a kilt and a (I presume) Mennonite lady, fully dressed and carrying a huge backpack. The hike back was good - much less humidity here than I usually experience... Arrived at my car at 1430 (after around 15 miles of hiking) and headed back to base. It was getting hot! While I waited for the temperatures to drop again, I met some neighbors, went to Mass (St. Patrick's, a tiny church) in Wallingford and ate dinner (Panera - 1700) in Rutland again. At 1815, I was at the trailhead on VT-140 (same place as yesterday) and I headed SOBO to complete the section. After 1.50 miles (all uphill), I turned around at the Greenwall Shelter (again). LOTS of mosquitos... Met a Long Trail Lady Hiker - smiling, exhibitionist and ambitious (after all, she needs to make it to her ride in three days...). All said and done, I arrived at my car at 1930 - after nearly 18 total miles. I was tired, sore and full of endorphins. In many ways, this entire day was much like my first few months trying to conquer the AT: plenty of food, water and a break in the middle. Now that I have been reminded that I need to be really careful in preparations, pacing myself and knowing when to stop, I've gone back to a strategy that works. Hoping that pays off. Overall, this was my kind of day on the trail! Back to Danby for another nice sleep... AT Today = 8.50 miles / G.T. AT = 723.08 miles

Danby, VT (USA)

I was awake by 0800 and left the hotel within the hour.  I promptly got a speeding ticket in Davenport.  Dang!  I asked the trooper for the best way back to I-88 and he actually gave me an "escort" cross the mountain (winding roads).  I stopped for gas (and a work-related telcon) in Rotterdam (1000).  Afterwards, i got back on the highway, using I-90 and I-87 through Albany.  I switched to NY-7 and drove across the Hudson at Troy.  Very slow going to the VT border...  Used VT-279 to get to US-7 near Bennington and made my way to Danby, arriving around 1300.  The whole drive to Vermont (my first in almost two years) was an adventure in itself!  Arriving at my accommodations by the early afternoon (thanks, Elizabeth!), I relaxed until dinner time. Ate a nice meal in Rutland (Friendly's) at 1800 and picked up a breakfast meal to go.  Afterwards, I drove to the trailhead at VT-140. There wasn't much daylight left as I started NOBO at 1930 but I wanted put in a few miles before bed... I headed for (little) Bear Mountain - all uphill - and had a brief conversation with a thru hiker on the way. Didn't see any wildlife but the sunlight peeking through the alpine forest looked like fire on the mountain. After that, though, it was dark for much of the way back (although I was still able to see the white blazes without a headlamp). Finished at 2115. It wasn't a long hike (~3.5 miles) but it served an important purpose: I got some trail confidence back. All week, I've been wanting to get back out there to overcome the many doubts that I picked up last Sunday. So I feel good saying now that I'm going to keep chipping away at the AT until something bigger stops me. I've completed almost 1/3 of the 2150 miles in just over two years. Weekends like this remind me that I don't have to - and shouldn't - give up something I want that is entirely achievable, even if the odds seem to be against the endeavor. On the way down the mountain (and back to Danby), I almost hit a porcupine on the way down the mountain!  It is so great to be here and I'm looking forward to more hiking tomorrow... AT Today = 1.72 miles / Grand Total AT = 714.58 miles

Oneonta, NY (USA)

[had to drive to Chantilly for training - class ran from 0900 until 1700 - set myself up on an empty office so I could work until around 1900 and then left for my vacation - drove east on I-66, used I-495 to get to I-270 and then US-15 - got gas in Thurmont (2015) - continued on US-15 to PA-581, I-83 and I-81 - made great time - drove all the way to Binghamton and switched to I-88 (around midnight) - continued driving (trying to find hotel) for several more hours - ended up on NY-23 in Oneonta - checked in at Budget Inn (0115) and went to sleep]

Beltsville, MD (USA)

[driving after midnight... - used I-95, I-495 to Alexandria - arrived home at 0045 - unpacked and cleaned up - read - bed at 0200]

Suffern, NY (USA)

Earlier today, I planned to write all about how the AT can sometimes be very frustrating (climbs over huge rocks when there is a flat way around) but I'm just going to skip to what matters. When I left the trailhead on Orange Turnpike (SOBO) at 0545 this morning, I was confident and excited to be hiking AT for a second day. The weather was marvelous (50s) and I saw through hikers from yesterday (love those quizzical looks). I also made a friend, Ivan from the UK, when I turned around at Lakes Road. But I made several mistakes: didn't eat enough, was still dehydrated from yesterday, hiked farther than I'd planned (meaning I was still out on AT when the temperatures reached the high 80s) and I missed a trail turn (requiring me to bushwhack to find my way home). By the end of my (probably) solo 14 mile day (1200), I needed lots of serious assistance to reach my car. In other words, I was NOT ready and may not even have returned home without the five Trail Angels who stayed with me when I didn't need to be alone, all my new friends from the Tuxedo Volunteer Fire Department and the State Park Rangers who helped me get down from the ridge. Feeling beaten and humbled... At 1430, I was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern in an ambulance (although I felt better already).  The hospital staff made me stay there until 1900.  All during that time, I had to deal with the disappointment of missing Daniel's wedding reception and not being able to see Brother Jim, as I had planned.  I did make some phone calls but really didn't tell almost anyone that I was at the hospital.  When they finally released me, I had to take a cab back to my car in Tuxedo (pricy) but was able to hit the road for home around 2000.  I used NY-17, I-287 and I-78 and got a gas fillup in Phillipsburg, NJ (2100).  Then drove on I-81, I-83, I-695 towards home I-95.  I was still on road at midnight.  Maybe I still have enough to finish the entire AT, but this was a giant wake up call... AT Today = 6.60 miles / Grand Total AT = 712.86

Warwick, NY (USA)

Took a day off from work so I could get back on the AT - it has been about six weeks and I absolutely needed some trail solitude... Game time decision at 0530: go north or go south? Forecast clear in NY, not so much in any part of VA - north it is! It was a good decision because it rained until I got on I-78 (front line was dramatic, with blue skies to the north).  I used I-495, I-95, I-695, I-83 (with a gas fillup at Etters, PA - 0740), I-81, I-78, I-287, NJ-23 and several back roads.  Got a work call from Arnie just before I lost signal for the day... Made great time to the NY-NJ border and, after driving almost all the way around Greenwood Lake and through the eastern edge of Warwick, I found the NY-17A trailhead on Mount Peter again (without a map). Started SOBO around 1115. I saw lots of people all day, including several NOBO hikers who must be in one of the lead bubbles. Also saw a SOBO pair. The views from every vista were tremendous! Best part of the day was that the temperature was in the low 70s all day (hold off, Summer - don't want to see you yet). Lots of boulder climbing, though - tiring... Saw a black snake hanging from a tree next to the trail (not too big) but no other wildlife. Found the elusive NY-NJ border this time (I had turned around early last time). Worn out by the end of my more than 12 mile day (1645) - feeling good, though. Got some Bellvale Bog ice cream and scouted out the trail for the next morning... :-) Went back to the Tuxedo Motel for the night.  AT Today = 5.96 miles / G.T. AT = 706.26 miles

Fairfax, VA (USA)

[worked from Kelly's house in the morning - she drove me to Pentagon Metro Station around 0945 - I took the Metro back to my car and worked at my house for a few more hours - met Brenna and Erin at their school (for photos) at noon - went home, ate lunch and got ready - drove to EagleBank Arena in Fairfax for their graduation (1300) - met Mollie and sat in the stands with the kids' friends, former teacher and Nicky - the ceremony went from 1400 to 1600 - afterwards, I got to congratulate Brenna - I tried to find Erin but was unsuccessful - I headed to Chantilly for a Program Manager networking event with my company - met some new people and got to visit with Kim N. for a bit - stayed there from 1700 until 1830 - afterwards, I drove home (lots of traffic) - before I went to bed, I did some walking near my apartment in the twilight...]

Woodbridge, VA (USA)

[worked in DC all day - happy hour with Sean E. at Buffalo Wild Wings (finished at 1615) - met clients and friends at Vie de France - after about an hour there, I rode with Kelly to Pentagon City and had drinks with Joe R. at Bonefish Grill - Kelly said she needed to leave to pick up Emma but asked if I would like to come with her to Woodbridge - we picked up Emma and took her from swim practice to soccer practice - afterwards, I spent the evening with Kelly at her house (watching "Bloodline" on Netflix until late) - bed at 2230]

Doswell, VA (USA)

[we had a day at Kings Dominion planned! - we left house around 0830 and picked up Emma in Woodbridge at 0900 - we got gas in Stafford at 0920 - arrived at amusement park around 1000 and got set up with our new season passes - we spent about an hour exploring the park (our first time) until Emma said she was hungry - we found lunch at Subway (1150) and Country Kitchen (1200) - we also got Emma a free refill cup (it was well worth the cost, since she filled it up a few times) - we spent nother few hours checking out rides and activities around the park - some of the things we did were firsts for Emma, even though she had been to the park many times - right before we left, Emma lost her souvenir refill cup - fortunately, I locted it by retracing our steps (she had left it at the gift shop) - we stayed at KD until 1500 but had to leave earlier than we all wanted (to go to a party for Brenna and Erin) - we encountered huge traffic jam on the way home but were still able to get Emma home (Woodbridge) by 1630 - we raced to my house and changed clothes (Mollie's mom had told us to dress up) - arrived at the party at 1845, only to find that we were the most overdressed people at the event - saw Tim, Elizabeth and Katie - the food was good! - I took several photos with the girls - met Nicky's boyfriend, Steve - I stayed until 1930 - as I was driving home, Kelly invited me to dinner at her house - I then drove back to Woodbridge - had a nice time with her and the kids - I left for home at 2345]

Annapolis, MD (USA)

[Mollie and I got an early start, leaving the hours by 0900 - we first drove to Eastern Mountain Sports, near Dulles, to check out their deals at the going-out-of-business sale - we were done searching the limited inventories by 1110 - we ate lunch at Moe's in Chantilly (1135) - I got gas in Centreville (1200) - we then drove to Annapolis to ride on Chris' boat - along with our host, Joe R., Sandy, Kelly and her kids joined us - we stayed from 1230 to 1930, exploring the Severn and downtown Annapolis by water - after we returned to Chris' house, we ate dinner at Hero's Pub (good food) - Mollie and I drove home around 2100 - we spent the rest of the evening resting and cleaning up]

Alexandria, VA (USA)

[dropped off Mollie at school at 0700 - telework - picked up Mollie at 1220 and we drove to Bethesda, MD, for her doctor appointment - home by 1430 - more telework - drove Mollie to her friend Lauren's house so she could get ready for her dance - after dropping her off, I drove to Huntington and took the Metro to King Street - I walked to the Eagles Club to meet with Sabrina and Debbie - we had a good dinner, made by the Ladies Auxiliary (meatloaf, cheesey hash browns, succatash, salad, red velvet cake) - later, Colette, Mario, Nick and another friend arrived - we stayed until 2030 - I walked back to the King Street Metro Station and headed to Mollie's school so I could pick her up after the dance (2100)]

Washington, DC (USA)

[worked, as normal, in the city - headed for Bar Louie in Chinatown at 1530 - Sabrina had made me a key lime pie birthday cake! - other friends (Chris C., Phil, Ian, Greta) arrived later and we stayed until 1830 - took a break from the party and walked down to the Lincoln Memorial so I could watch Johnny playing with his school band - made it in time and talked to him briefly - called Katie back and sent her a photo of the encounter - I walked back towards Chinatown and met up with the gang at Mandu, near Mount Vernon Square, and had a few more hours of fun - Sean stopped by late with his friends Ali, Said and Ashem there were Old Fashioneds all around! - I walked back to Metro with Phil late and then headed home - bed by 2300]

Alexandria, VA (USA)

[errands in the morning (at Fort Belvoir - finished at 0900) - working from home for a few hours - drove to Metro and headed into the city - arrived at work just as there was an employee verbal scuffle - left about an hour later for happy hour at Vie de France (with Robert, H., Sue, Jay and Walt) - left for home at 1720 and used Metro to get to my car - asked Tasha if she wanted to go for a walk in Huntley Meadows but she didn't answer immediately - I went by myself (from the South Kings Highway entrance) from 1800-1830 - I went home and watched movies for a bit before Tasha texted that she did want to go for a walk - it was kind of late by then (2000) but I met her at the Lockheed Boulevard entrance and we explored the trails and boardwalks until it got dark - we continued into the woods, even in the pitch black darkness but still made it back to the car OK - I drove her home around 2100]

Chantilly, VA (USA)

[ate brunch with Kelly at la Madeleine (0945) - we later went shopping at World Market - I then drove to Chantilly to work and worked from 1200 to 2130 - got gas in Centreville before leaving and then drove home]

Washington, DC (USA)

[ran errands in the morning (oil change at 0800) - drove to Huntington Metro with Mollie (0930) - Mollie and I rode to L'Enfant and walked to Convention Center (up 7th Street) - at the Awesome Con from 1000 to 1700 (exhibit/vendor floor, in line for pricy autographs, went to Q&A with Matthew Lewis AKA Neville Longbottom, visited lots of other hands-on activites like board and video games, played a new game called "Heroes of Amarii", ran into Mollie's friends from school and hung with them for awhile, went to Art Battle and NASA panel) - rode Metro home and took Mollie to her mother's house - met up with Kelly for dinner (1830) at Monty's Steakhouse (Oysters Rockefeller, Petit Filet, blackened rockfish with rissoto, wine, carrot cake for birthday dessert) - drove down to Woodbridge and had drinks with her at Blu1681 until 2220 - drove Kelly home in my car and walked Bella before heading back to Alexandria]

Chantilly, VA (USA)

[...supporting Proposal Team at company HQ all day... - it was Kelly's last day and I gave her back her laptop at 1000 - when I finally was able to leave the office, had a rainy, nasty commute home - almost ran out of gas in Fairfax Station (1745) - shopping at Walmart (1845) - Mollie arrived around 2030 (for an unexpected night!)]

Washington, DC (USA)

[...working from home all morning and then drove to Chantilly around noon - worked until around 1530 - then drove back to Huntington and met Kelly and Tasha at Vie de France - at 1715, we took an Uber to Shaws and had drinks at Takoda (outside, upstairs) with them - Chris, Casey and Sean G. joined us later and we stayed late (2115) - we took Uber back to L'Enfant - I drove Kelly's car to Huntington Metro Station and said goodbye to Kelly and Tasha there]

Chantilly, VA (USA)

[...supporting Proposal Team at company HQ all day... - finished at 1630 - met Kelly and all her friends for farewell party at Backyard Burgers (near the office) - stayed until around 2000 and then drove home]