Arlington, VA (USA)

[worked full day - headed over to happy hour at CPK (Pentagon City) with Stephanie, Kelly and one of her friends from the office - didn't stay long (home by 1900)]

Newport, VA (USA)

Had a nice breakfast at the hotel this morning (0700) before I tried (unsuccessfully) to park at nearby trailheads... Gave up and headed towards Pearisburg. On the way (via VA-624), I stumbled across a gravel road that took me up to the top of Brush Mountain. The AT crossed near the parking lot for the Audie Murphy airplane crash site. It was foggy - almost raining - and the temperatures were in the low 60s. Using the approach trail (0830), I paid my respects at the memorial and ran into the SOBO thru hiker from yesterday (always funny to see their faces when I reappear miles away). I then headed NOBO, down the eastern side of the mountain. It was silent for almost the whole morning - not a sound... Then I met two members of the Trail Club, who warned me about the steep terrain (they were coming uphill). Despite their misgivings, I made good time to VA-620. When I turned around, I powered up the 1500 foot slope, feeling great all the way. About the only thing that slowed me down was a blister that was starting to develop on my toe (grrrr). Still, I finished about 10 miles (4.5 new miles of AT), the first part of my day, at around 1230. I ate some lunch I'd brought and then drove to the White Rocks Recreation Area. I parked where I'd hiked about two weeks ago (VA-635). Starting SOBO (1345), I walked into the woods (covered by rhododendron bushes) and followed Stony Creek. The atmosphere of this leg was tremendously different: hot, sunny, dry. I met another SOBO thru hiker and talked to him for a little while. After 2.1 miles, I exited via another approach trail and then walked back to my car on the road. This second part of my day (a little more than four miles) ended at 1430. I made good time on the drive home - got gas in Mount Jackson (1820).  Feeling very strong and glad to have had such a great weekend! AT Today = 6.60 miles / G.T. AT = 777.08 miles

Daleville, VA (USA)

Woke up early and headed south for another hiking weekend! I was making very good time until I encountered a massive accident on I-81 near New Market. Traffic didn't move for about 45 minutes and I might have been trapped even longer but another motorist turned around and drove in the opposite direction, disappearing onto an access road about five car lengths behind me. I didn't need more hints! Got gas in Raphine (0750).  Still made it to the trailhead on VA-311 by 0900. Hiked SOBO (opposite direction from McAfee Knob, right across the road) in pleasant temperatures along a the top of a gently rolling ridge. So happy to leave behind the office, even for just a few hours... Most of the hikers I met today were parents and kids (#FamilyHikingDay). I did encounter a SOBO thru hiker on my outbound leg and saw him again on the way back (didn't chat, though). After I reached VA-624, I had to deal with a 1000 foot climb to get to my car - relieved I could make it, actually... Took a break at the summit - enjoyed the weather and feeling of isolation (part of me wished it wouldn't end). Reached the packed parking lot (after 12 miles) by 1430. Explored trailhead locations to the east before calling it a day. Ate an early dinner at Wendy's in Daleville (1520).  Rested and watched football in my room at the Howard Johnson Motel in Daleville. More tomorrow!  AT Today = 5.90 miles / Grand Total AT = 770.48 miles

Washington, DC (USA)

[went to work happy hour at Buffalo Wild Wings (Navy Yard) with Sean E., Luke and Colin - later then went to another happy hour with Chris C., Mel, Mark M., Kelly at Plan B near Navy Memorial - stayed until 2100 - home late]

Washington, DC (USA)

[worked full day - afterwards, had dinner with Greta at Scarlet Oak - sat outside and then she dropped me off at my car at Huntington Station]

Reston, VA (USA)

[had to drive to Reston for work again - meetings until 1400 - then drove home - teleworked in the afternoon - Mollie asked me to come get her so we could have dinner and I picked her up at 1715 - we ate at Manchu Wok - we had a nice time and I dropped her off at her house by 1915]

Dumfries, VA (USA)

[Mollie and I ate breakfast (cereal, muffins, cantaloupe) - around 0900, Mollie and I drove to Quantico National Cemetery (to visit Mr. Newkirk's grave) - we also visited the National Museum of the Marine Corps for several hours - around 1300, we ate lunch (quesadillas, chips - we had packed it) - we visited the Weems-Botts Museum in Dumfries and took a tour - we drove back to my apartment at 1500 and rested/relaxed for several hours - we thought Nicky was going to leave town, so Mollie was planning to stay overnight again - we ate eating dinner (leftovers) and watched a movie ("The Letters") - at around 2100, Nicky changed her mind and came by my house to pick up Mollie]

Arlington, VA (USA)

[worked normal day in DC - went to happy hour at Pentagon City (CPK) with Joe R., Stephanie and Kelly (finished at 1920)]

Blacksburg, VA (USA)

[Working a career fair at Virginia Tech all day.  Still, I managed to squeeze in another trail section (VA-635 to Bailey's Gap Shelter, NOBO) after a full day at work in Blacksburg. I found a good trailhead after driving on US-460 towards Pembroke and then heading into the National Forest. Hadn't been in the area since May 2014 and I was happy to find a way to connect to a remote section I'd previously only accessed via gravel roads. I started climbing (NOBO) at 1730 and felt really strong, even with the 1000 foot per mile gradient. It was cool in the woods and there were minimal rocks. Didn't see anyone at all... Turned around at the shelter and raced back down the hill, hoping to get in several more miles before sunset. But then I met another (section - Damascus to Glasgow) hiker... Instead of continuing, I found myself in a longer conversation with him about landmarks, trail experiences and even "do you know so and so...". Normally I like this but this time it was cutting into my trail time (and making my 4+ hour drive seem that much longer). In the end, though, I decided to just revel in the camaraderie and settle for just three miles today. I packed up (1900) and drove home (via US-460, I-81, I-66, gas in Haymarket at 2330, I-495).  Sad to see the end a streak of six straight days of AT - it will be hard to beat the hiking chances I got this week! AT Today = 1.50 miles / G.T. AT = 764.58 miles]

Blacksburg, VA (USA)

When my company asked if I could go to Blacksburg for a Career Fair, I was happy to accept the opportunity!  I worked in DC until about 1400, took the Metro back to my car and started my trip to Blacksburg (I-495, I-66, I-81, US-460).  Upon arriving, I first checked the Courtyard near VT (full).  Filled up on gas at Speedway (1800) and then found out that the Red Carpet Inn had vacancy (check-in at 1805).  Changed clothes and then drove north, eating dinner at Taco Bell (1845).  The AT was only about 20 miles away, so it was hard to pass up another chance for a hike... The sun had nearly set by the time I located the trailhead on VA-630 (a back road northeast of Newport). I hiked SOBO into the woods and climbed a gentle slope for about half a mile. I startled a large deer and he took off running (he startled me too). When I came out of the trees, I found myself standing in the most peaceful spot I've found in years. There was still some light behind the mountains to the west. All around me were beautiful wild flowers and the field I was in was itself surrounded by manicured farmland. Pretty homes and barns dotted the hills on all sides. The moon was bright in the sky, high above. There. Was. Not. One. Single. Sound. I paused for several minutes and considered never returning... Eventually, the silence was interrupted by the cicadas as they starting their evening songs. I also heard farmers corralling their cows. So I resumed my outbound leg (downhill), turning around at VA-42. As I headed back, I was surrounded by darkness for the fourth night of the last five. I didn't have to use any lights during this hike, though. I was just about to get into my car when some locals drove by to offer help, since they thought my car was broken. Guess there aren't many visitors to this area (there actually wasn't even a parking lot)... I was able to squeeze in 1.8 miles in about 45 minutes - not tiring or draining. Looking forward to visiting this part of the trail again! AT Today = 0.90 miles / G.T. AT = 763.08 miles

South Fields, NY (USA)

Relatively speaking, today was an easy day. I parked at Tiorati Beach and walked up the hill to the trailhead (see section #2 from Friday), starting NOBO at 0730. It was overcast and breezy, much cooler then the previous few days. But the humidity was still pretty high... I made great time because it was mostly downhill. I turned around at the western crossing of Seven Lakes Drive and walked back on the road (all uphill). Saw one other (day) hiker all day. A huge pack of racing "luxury cars" spoiled the silence towards the end of my hike (not cool...). Reached my car at about 0910, after a little more than 3.5 total miles. I'm happy that I could power through the heat and hills to inch closer to the AT halfway mark... Drove home via the following route: NY-17 to I-287, I-78, I-81, I-83, PA-581, US-15, gas in Dillsburg (1215), I-270, I-495.  New work week: here I come! AT Today = 2.20 miles / G.T. AT = 762.18 miles

Bear Mountain, NY (USA)

Another scorcher today but I still managed to log about 12 miles on the trail. Started with breakfast at Dunkin Donuts in Harriman (0700) and then drove east. I made a wrong turn and ended up in the West Point training area. Eventually, I found a trailhead on the eastern end of Seven Lakes Drive, south of Bear Mountain. Headed NOBO at 0800 and climbed about 1000 feet in the first two miles. When I reached the summit, the views of the Hudson Valley were tremendous. There were lots of day hikers and cyclists there enjoying the clear weather too. I continued over the mountain top and down to the Inn, connecting to a section I'd hiked previously. There were far more people in that area - including a high school cross country race (that brought back memories...). I decided to use Seven Lakes Drive to get back to my car - it shaved about 2.5 miles off the backtrack. I saw lots of Army Cycling Team members training (up and down the hill). Part one of my day yielded 4.3 miles of AT in just under three hours. I made it back to my hotel and spent a few hours recovering and watching college football. I went to dinner at Keystone Hoagies in Tuxedo (1705) and then returned to the Elk Pen so I could connect two sections in Harriman State Park. I headed NOBO, braving the high 80s temperatures again (1745). It was only two miles, but my body was protesting the whole time. The roller coasters, rocks and roots didn't help... But I found a reason to be grateful when I encountered a large crowd of sullen day hikers (their leader had gotten them lost for 6.5 hours in the park - yikes!). Actually, they weren't even the first people whose day I made by giving estimates of trail distance - found myself being a tour guide a few times... After I reached the Lemon Squeezer (true to its name), I was completely spent. I still had 0.3 miles to go and it was extremely painful. I was cheered by a steady breeze and views of the setting sun across Island Lake. After I turned around, I decided to use a gravel road I'd seen to get to Arden Valley Road. It made the return trip longer but it also went more smoothly - I didn't even need a light to reach my car (2000) because the moon was so bright. Exhausted and sore but ready for more! AT Today = 6.40 miles / Grand Total AT = 759.98 miles

South Fields, NY (USA)

The temperatures were sweltering all day and the humidity was practically visible! So I split up my hike into three sections (all started SOBO, total of nearly 12 miles): Elk Pen parking lot to Sapphire Trail; Arden Valley Road to Island Pond Mountain; Lakes Road to Wildcat Shelter. I started the first section early (trailhead by 0730), hiking back to where I turned around last night. The sun looked very pretty, coming up on the horizon. I didn't see any hikers but had some funny chats with construction workers on the bridge crossing the NY State Thruway. I started with a climb up the Agony Grind. Signed a trail log at the top of the ridge. It was already getting warm when I finished the first part of my day, so I decided to move my car and drove farther into the State Park until I found Tiorati Lake (1000). Nearby, I located another trailhead and did some more rock climbing. I met a young woman who was thru hiking SOBO and passed her in both directions. My hat is off to the folks who can keep moving in the elements, day after day. I had hoped to reach the Lemon Squeezer but finally had to give up (stopped just short). The climbing and descending was just too much. Even after the wise choice, I still paid on the way back... I had hydrated and eaten but the heat was still powerful enough that it was only willpower that got me back to the car (1300). I went back to my hotel (picking up the owner, who knows me after several visits, down in South Fields) and rested for several hours. I had to get through muscle cramps and reset my water balance - and it wasn't easy... By dinner time, I was feeling well enough to hike some more. After a protein-rich meal at Wendy's in Monroe (1750), I headed to the last trailhead (1845). Clouds were threatening and the sun was barely visible through the trees. But it wasn't as hot and I made it to my turnaround before it was too dark to see where I was going. I encountered two thru hikers who had run out of water at the shelter and were headed out in the dark to find a spring (1.5 miles away). Sounds like the water sources are almost all dry... After they raced off ahead, I heard several large animals (deer?) running in the woods. Needed my head lantern to reach my car (2000) but it was an easier night of hiking! It was a tough day but I made some great progress and am looking forward to another day of this. Tuxedo Motel again...  AT Today = 5.70 miles / Grand Total = 753.58 miles

South Fields, NY (USA)

Had meetings all day in Gaithersburg, so I packed for a hiking weekend! Was in Maryland early and completed all requirements.  Even had a chance for lunch with Bill M. at Quickway (1130).  Was able to escape from town by 1500 and headed north on I-270, US-15 and I-83.  Had to drive through Harrisburg on city streets to get to I-81 - I-78, I-287.  Got gas in Boonton, NJ (1905) and continued to NY-17.  Despite the traffic, I made great time to the NY-NJ border (near the scene of my unfortunate need for a mountain rescue in June...). After checking into the Tuxedo Motel, I quickly changed clothes and headed to the trailhead on Orange Turnpike, starting NOBO at about 2030 (after sunset). It was a rocky climb and and the temperatures were still in the high 80s (!). Footing was very challenging and I lost my bearings several times in the dark. The blazes were OK but there was no obvious beaten path across the rocks. At the first ridge line, I encountered a pair of SOBO thru hikers ("Bolt" and "Rocky", guys who just finished college). They were camped along the trail and their campfire, the periodic sound of cars in the valleys below and the map app on my phone provided welcome navigational aids! When I reached my turnaround point (Sapphire Trail), I was treated to a beautiful (albeit hazy) view of the moon and the mountains in Harriman State Park. It was very slow going during the 1+15 hours of my trek but I managed to squeeze in about 2.5 miles (backtrack and redirects included) before 2200. This was real night hiking - I'll need some practice before it is "fun"... Stayed at the Tuxedo Motel again.  More trails tomorrow! AT Today = 1.00 miles / G.T. AT = 747.88 miles]

Reston, VA (USA)

[drove to Reston to the company office (for the first time) so I could attend meetings - needed Kelly's help to locate the parking garage - worked in a hoteling space for several hours - had the meeting from 1100 to 1300 (catered lunch) - then drove home (forgot the lunch I brought - Greta rescued it for me) - teleworked the rest of the day]

Woodbridge, VA (USA)

[I had convinced Mollie to set an alarm and she was awake by 0830 - we ate breakfast (breakfast burritos); Kelly invited us to enjoy her neighborhood pool for the last day of the season and we drove down to Woodbridge at around 1000 - we spent about three hours swimming and sunning and had a very light lunch (Nutella sandwiches, chips) - late in the day, we all drove over to Kohl's so Mollie could do some back to school shopping - I filled up the gas tank at a brand new Sheetz in Woodbridge (1500) on the way - at around 1545, we decided to eat a late afternoon meal (AKA dinner?) at Carrabas; we shared calamari, lasagna, salad and minestrone soup, finishing at 1645 - we drove back to Alexandria, arriving at 1710 - Nicky said that Mollie could stay at my house for a bit longer (she was doing errands) - I ended up taking Mollie to Target to pick up a school backpack (Mollie and I had searched for one at several stores during our vacation but she hadn't found one that she liked) - we then headed home and waited for Nicky to arrive; Mollie did some chores (emptied dishwasher) before she left at 1930]

Woodbridge, VA (USA)

[Mollie slept until 1130 (!) and missed breakfast - I got a lot of work done before she woke up - she ate lunch (leftovers) and watched movies for most of the afternoon while I rested - later, we got dressed and went to the grocery store to pick up cookout supplies (1600) - we drove to Woodbridge and spent the evening with Kelly and her kids - we ate dinner (hamburgers, brats, hot dogs, beans, mac and cheese, pie) around 1800 - we also watched a "Harry Potter" marathon and the kids played Pokemon Go - at 1930, the Notre Dame vs. Texas football came on TV - we watched it until around 2230, when we drove home]

Gettysburg, PA (USA)

[I cooked breakfast (scrambled eggs, omelet and biscuits), which Mollie ate around 1030 - Mollie did some chores (dishes) and then got ready to leave for Thurmont, Maryland (we departed at 1145) - we visited the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo (a Labor Day tradition) for several hours (starting at 1330) and then drove to Emmitsburg (1515) - we stopped at the St. Mary Shrine at the top of the hill (Viet Nam pilgrimage going on - wow) before attending Mass (St. Anthony Shrine) at 1600 - I asked Mollie if she wanted to visit Catoctin Mountain or Gettysburg and add she chose the latter - we started at the Visitors Center and then drove around the Battlefield in the beautiful cool evening weather - Mollie was impressed and energized, since it was a new place - we ate dinner at Friendly's in town (finished at 1930) and then went exploring in another part of the park until the sun went down - we then drove home, arriving at 2030; Mollie rested in her room (I watched TV) until about 2245, when she put herself to bed]

Alexandria, VA (USA)

[I teleworked, starting very early - Mollie was awake and got ready at 0830 - she didn't feel like eating, but I convinced her to have a little breakfast (crackers) - we drove to the dentist office so Mollie could get her cavities filled - after Mollie was finished, we went to Fort Belvoir to drop off her shot records - I picked up two movies for her to watch because I had to go to work in DC for a few hours - Mollie ate lunch and rested while I was gone - after I returned (1500), we cleaned out the fish tank (our adult snail had died) - we then cooked dinner (steak and potato soup over rice, salad, pita chips with hummus) - I teleworked some more and then we watched movies - Mollie told me she was finally feeling recovered when we went to bed at 2300]