Arlington, VA (USA)

[worked a long day at the office (not really happy to be back...) - ended up heading to Chevy's for happy hour with Joey (around 1800) - left at 2000]

Wind Gap, PA (USA)

After a few days hiking in no-cell, no-Internet North Country, I found myself back near civilization. Woke up at 0530 and left my hotel, attempting to get in a few miles on AT before the rain hit (I was not successful with the latter goal)... Set up at trailhead at PA-33 and hiked SOBO, uphill and into the monsoon. Saw two through hikers (leading edge of the lead bubble?). After that, though, I made it out to Smith Gap without encountering anyone. The rain stopped and the sun actually came out. I didn't dally at my turnaround point (Smith Gap Road), though (afraid of the return of inclement weather). The walk back was easier (as always) and I saw more people. I assisted in an AT game of telephone (to assist a hiker who'd lost his wallet). Saw some interesting orange salamanders along the way... When I was done, I'd completed nearly 16.5 miles under less than optimal conditions, overcome the demotivating elements, explored the boundaries of my post-surgery limitations and seamlessly integrated into the 2015 AT culture. Finished around 1400 and used PA-33 to get to I-78 in Allentown. Made phone calls for several hours and made pretty good time (via, I-81, PA-581, US-15). Stopped for lunch at Arby's and gas in Dillsburg (PA) at 1530. Drove the rest of the way home (via I-270 and I-495) with some good endorphins racing through my blood (note - some of the good feeling was dampened by a huge traffic jam on the Beltway, exacerbated by weather). Stopped to visit the kids and then attended a parent meeting at their school (1830). Home by 2000 and then unpacked. After a day like today, I keep thinking "bring on the summer!" AT Today = 8.26 miles / Grand Total AT = 435.16 miles.

Potsdam, NY (USA)

[awake at 0700 - ate homemade breakfast at the hotel - insisted on a beer exchange with the owners ("take one, give one") - I checked out and was on road (NY-56) south by 0830 - another hotel guest recommended I drive south of Potsdam to Hannawa Falls - I took the advice and found the Red Sandstone Trail, along the Raquette River - I had a very nice hike: got some hills, climbed some rocks, got great water views - I made it all the way out to Sugar Island without a problem - got some phone calls while on the trail: Brenna (to tell me about a summer school course), Nicky (to inform me she had scheduled events during the next visitation weekend - grrr...) and Eileen ("I have some appointments to view houses - do you want to come?") - by the time I turned around at the end of the trail, I had to race back to car - this was all so I could make it to Potsdam to meet Eileen by 1215 (in case lunch was even possible) - I arrived in time at The Bagelry but after she got there (with Juneau), I learned she had to leave again quickly - we probably were only able to visit for about 30 minutes - at her recommendation, I hung out at the park nearby and ate lunch (sort of a bagel pizza) - while waiting for her to get done with the real estate agents, I finished my book, walked some more and changed clothes - I had hoped to go on a short hike with Eileen around 1530 - unfortunately, I got a text around that time that she needed to reschedule ("we could get together around dinner time for some wine") - by this point, I was walking around at the high school track again and the whole thing had gotten really frustrating - I believed that the game of cat and mouse was not going to end well, so I called her back and said I was going to leave town - we talked for a bit and it seemed like she was trying to make it work, but there was just too much happening - I guess I really messed up to try to force something to happen - defeated, tail between legs, I drove west on US-11, got back to I-81 and then drove south - the weather was very nice and I would have stopped (for a late hike) several times if I hadn't already started thinking about logging some AT miles in the morning... - got gas in Liverpool (NY) at 1830 - also picked up dinner at McDonalds for the road (1835) - continued to Scranton and changed to I-84, then I-380 - talked to the kids (and Nicky) all the way - it was really dark as I finished my drive through the Poconos - finally made it to I-80 (east) and then took PA-33 south until I found a hotel in Wind Gap (PA) that was listed in the AT Hiker Guide (Travel Inn) - I checked into my room (2130) and made one more call to Eileen - after that, went to bed almost immediately (2300) - the day didn't turn out well (hopefully tomorrow will)]

Potsdam, NY (USA)

[woke up around 0700 - I packed and planned for a hike at Loon Lake (southeast of town) - drove back west on US-11 to get breakfast (McDonalds at 0835), and then a little bit farther (to Brushton) to get gas (0900) - I was just about to head south into ADK when Eileen called and said there was a chance for us to get together - after talking for awhile, I drove all the way back to Potsdam - I found her close to the Village Diner and we walked around town for about an hour, doing errands - at this point, she told me she would probably be too busy to do anything else until Sunday - I was not happy and told her I didn't know if I would still be in town by then... - I drove south (via NY-56), without a plan, until I reached Higley Flow State Park (1200) - decided to stay there for several hours - it turned out to be a good idea: there were almost 14 miles of cross country skiing trails that were good for hiking - at the end of the day, when I was tired and ready to call it an afternoon, I encountered a band playing along the lake front - people were singing, karaoke-style, and others were swimming in the river - the sun felt great and there was a pleasant breeze - I heard lots of French-speaking tourists - perhaps the worst part of the day, though, was when my cell phone picked up several frantic voicemails from Alexandria - I didn't even have the heart to respond to those for several more hours - I also got one from Eileen, telling me she wanted to make things work before I left town - I ended up texting with her and then made a phone call in which we figured out (again) that she couldn't meet until Sunday (for lunch) - I still wasn't sure I should stay (thinking that maybe I should go home) - I was torn for several hours - the final decision came only after I talked to Nicky - I figured out that everything was OK, so I decided to stay in the area - drove back to Potsdam - my hike hadn't been as long as I wanted, so I walked around the track at the high school to get in some more miles - later, I started looking for a hotel (most too expensive or no vacancy) - decided I'd need to leave Potsdam and made a rough plan to go to Masena - I picked up takeout at A1 Oriental Kitchen (1830) and then drove north on NY-56 - I stumbled across a small motel on the edge of Potsdam (Northern Family Hotel) and stopped to see if they had vacancy - ended up getting the last available room (1850) - watched the running of the Belmont Stakes - witnessed "American Pharaoh" win the Triple Crown!!!) with all the guests - drank a free beer (from the hotel stash - all left behind by previous guests!) while I read my book out on the huge lawn in front of the hotel - the weather was even better in the evening (late sunset, clear, great temperatures) - there were two fire pits that nearly every guest was clustered around - a group of Canadians (from Cornwall) invited me to join them around 2030 and I ended up spending nearly three hours with them, talking about sports, politics, weather, travel, etc. - it was all great - by the time the fire died down, I realized the temperatures were in the 30s (!!!) and that I should get in my hotel room to get warm again - fell asleep easily (2345)]

Malone, NY (USA)

[planned a four day hiking trip up north - woke up at 0630 (although this was later than I wanted to leave) - as I was finished packing, I received a call from Nicky at 0700 - Brenna wanted me to come get her, so I drove over to their house (0730) - I talked to Brenna for a bit before dropping her off for school (0800) and got gas for the road - drove over to at JiffyLube for a 200K mile (wow!) check on the Explorer - picked up breakfast at McDonalds (0835) while I waited - finished all the service by 0945 and got on the road - by the time I left DC, though, I had already begun to wonder if my plan to hike on AT in NJ, NY and CT was what I really wanted to do... - I continued north (via I-495, I-270, US-15) and stopped at Fort Detrick and bought some adult beverages at the Exchange - I made several phone calls as I drove (work, home, etc.) - the ride north (PA-581, I-81) was OK but I encountered lots of traffic throughout the day and some inclement weather - played phone tag with Eileen for several hours and eventually asked her if we could meet up this weekend - she told me she might be able to do it and would call me back - I continued north, awaiting her decision for several hours - stopped for gas in Great Bend (PA) at 1500 (probably the third time I've used this same service station) - I didn't want to turn east until I knew for sure what would happen, so I kept going, reaching Watertown without any guidance from Eileen - I decided to stop at Fort Drum and bought some clothing at the Exchange (1755) - still no answer on the weekend plans, but figured I was "in for a penny, in for a pound", so I continued east on US-11 - was going to stop at a street party in Canton but it started to pour - stopped instead at Walmart - sent my last text and voicemail to Eileen, apologizing for trying to make something happen so short notice - by the time I drove into Potsdam, I had no plans and no contact and gave up any chance of seeing her - I was tired already, so I tried to find a place to stay nearby - I firts attempted to use my gift card for a hotel on the west side of town (it didn't work) - at that point, I decided to head east on US-11 again (thinking that maybe I could hike in Vermont in the morning) - I quickly lost cell signal, it got darker, rain continued - eventually got tired of driving and began to regret my efforts to get up to the North Country when there was no chance to see her - obviously, my weekend wasn't going to work out as I hoped - decided to stay in Malone for the night and got a room at the Four Seasons Motel (2045) - I went to sleep around 2200 - woke up a bit later when Eileen started texting - she eventually called me and we tried to make plans for the rest of the weekend - we'll see what happens...]

Warrenton, VA (USA)

[left house at 0600 - errands (library, ATM, post office) before hitting I-495 - used I-66 and US-29 (new exit!) - drove to Warrenton to meet up with project team (arrived around 0700) - worked there until close to noon - drove to nearby Wegmans for lunch (1155) with everyone - left and met up with Kim (1300) at a Starbucks in Gainesville for my Executive Coaching session (in person for once) - then drove home (via I-66, I-495) - legal stuff at the house, packing for weekend with kids - problems with Nicky on the phone - left for Fort Belvoir (for hotel check-in) without knowing if the kids were coming - there from 1700 through 1830 alone - Erin showed up and we went to dinner at the Rice King Cafe (1915) on post - then she headed to a funeral home viewing for a school friend who passed away - a short time later, I learned that Nicky was at the hospital with Brenna down the street (!) and I drove over to find out what was happening - spent some time with them until I had to go back to meet Erin at the hotel - spent about an hour with her, talking - left to pick up Mollie (returning from field trip to Hershey Park) - on the way, stopped for gas (2230) when my car acted up again (fuel pump?) - arrived at the Middle School to parking lot chaos - Mollie arrived on the last bus and we drove back to Fort Belvoir, arriving just after midnight - got Erin and Mollie settled for bed and then read until 0100 (awaiting news about Brenna - got none) - finally fell asleep very late]

Washington, DC (USA)

[long, busy day at the office - went to happy hour at Capital City Brewing Company (Metro Center) with Sabrina, Joey, Kathy, Ashley, Janet and several other former co-workers (fundraiser for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) - stayed until around 1930 and then walked to W Hotel and went to the top to have drinks at P.O.V. (view of White House and the Mall). Stayed there until around 2000 and then walked (with Joey) to see the White House on the Pennsylvania Avenue side (his first time there!) - took Metro to my car (switched trains twice after getting on at McPherson Square) - exhausted when I got home (Bob there) - didn't pack for the weekend or work on any legal stuff - finished my book (need to return to library) and then went to bed around 2230]

Waynesboro, VA (USA)

Didn't sleep well (a lot on my mind lately)... Left the hotel around 8:00, entered SNP (fee free day) and parked at the AT trailhead (Beagle Gap) within 30 minutes. Headed north until reaching Little Calf Mountain Shelter. Saw lots of wildlife (deer, rabbits, birds, snake) and amazingly beautiful flowers. Heard loud bird calls, buzzing swarms of flies and running water. The air was thick with pungent smells of spring (luckily, no allergies). When I backtracked, I encountered what appeared to be the front end of the first NOBO bubble. I met Neon, who warned me about a bear on the trail (never saw him, though). The trail back to the park entrance was rocky and hilly but was also well shaded. I was very happy to reach the park hiker registration station (connecting to another section I hiked in February) and I headed down to Skyline Drive. Walked about 4.5 miles on the pavement (in the hot sun) back to my car to finish up around 14 miles. It took me several hours to get back to civilization (used US-33, US-29, VA-231 and US-211). Stopped to visit my friend, James, west of Warrenton on the way - it was a nice way to finish my weekend! Miles of AT today = 6.73 / G.T. = 226.9 miles.

Waynesboro, VA (USA)

Some medical issues sidelined me most of the month - but doctor cleared me for hiking (minus backpack) this week. Obviously, I jumped at a chance to get back on the trail! Woke up at 4 AM this morning (no alarm), on the road by 5:45 (I-66 and US-29). Stopped for breakfast (McDonalds) in Gainesville and continued south - all the way to Charlottesville. Used I-64 west (stopping at a rest area on the way). Arrived at the trailhead (Humpback Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway, just south of I-64) by 8:30. Plan when I left the car was to climb Humpback Mountain and connect to a section (near Rockfish Gap) that I hiked in February. ...Succeeded on both counts! First, I headed NOBO (part of it on the Albright Loop Trail) until I arrived at the Paul Wolfe shelter. What a difference the arrival of Spring made on the experience: leaves, flowing water, much warmer, lots of people... Chatted with Scarecrow and Pattern (LASHers = Long Ass Section Hikers) - they wanted intel about trail conditions to the north (and I had it). After that, I backtracked on AT - all uphill. Encountered lots more people, including a group of 28 people, lost on the mountain. I think I helped them (?)... By the time I reached a sign for the Humpback Rocks, I decided to skip them (hikers I passed said it was packed). Instead, I tagged along with two new friends (Greg & Susie) for several more miles up the mountain and found a spectacular view (with no people) at the end. After we backtracked, we used the access trail (VERY well traveled) to the car instead of the AT. When I checked the map and pedometer, I found I'd hiked more than I intended (planned to cover around 12 miles today but ended up completing around 14.5). End result: I depleted the few bottles of water I had before I was done. I will need to manage this better as the weather gets warmer... Drove a short distance to the west and got a room at a place I used previously (Colony Motel - see FEB 2015). Found a rather large stowaway (insect) when I unpacked... Actually took a nap before dinner (!). My car has been having trouble with fuel starvation when I'm nearly out of gas and on a steep downhill stretch, so I drove to a gas station in Waynesboro as a precaution (1805). Looked around in the "downtown" (and south towards I-64) and then stopped to eat dinner (Mexican food) at Mi Rancho (finished at 1845) then read some more before bed. A great day - and another expected (in SNP) tomorrow! AT Today = 7.30 miles / Grand Total AT = 420.17 miles.

Annapolis, MD (USA)

[legal stuff all morning - left the house around 1130 and drove (via I-495, US-50) to Annapolis to see Chris and Bridget for lunch at Rams Head Roadhouse (on Generals Highway) - enjoyed a nice meal until around 1300 - afterwards, went to their dock on the Severn and watched Chris inflate new two-person kayak - left around 1600 - drove back the way I came - did errands (shopping for the kids' party, trying to part at TopGolf), finishing around 1730 - drove over to the kids' house and helped them set things up for their party - Nicky wasn't there initially, so I greeted a lot of Erin and Brenna's friends - eventually, we went out back and played games, took lots of pictures and talked - I stayed for about three hours, with Nicky coming and going sporadically - on the way home to my apartment, I stopped at TopGolf again (finally, there was parking!) - didn't feel like packing or doing much of anything when I arrived - fell asleep quickly (2200)]