Last update, I was laying my body to rest after a resupply and seeing a trail friend!

Day 63: Another 30?

Another rock scramble push of a day.

I’m pretty tired of playing leapfrog with Payday. Every hour or so we exchange who is in front of each other.  It certainly leaves me struggling to find a flow in my movement through this terrain. The protruding and loose rocks scattering the trail force you to be present and pay attention to your feet. 

After continuous walking for hours, I finally found a flat rock I deemed good enough for a nice long lunch break. String cheese, cashews, fig bars, and a few turkey sticks gave me feeling energized and ready to keep going! I’ve been enjoying having an appetite again as it wavers heavily on very humid days! 

It was either finding a spot near the road or keep pushing up and over this last climb out of Palmerton, Pennsylvania. It was a steep walk up that eventually led to hand over foot climbing up and over this boulder 3x my body size!  Eventually topped out the climb and found a trail junction that intersected an old service road. I laid my eyes on a nice flat spot free from rocks and called it home for the night. My feet are throbbing as I start to unlace my shoes before crawling into my tent, I have 31 miles hiked today and I could not be more pleased!

Day 64: The GAP?

Packed up early ready to push it hard again and get the heck out of Pennsylvania! I was mentally on the next map, but for now, there are more miles to be made. I kept repeating to myself “Stay present, stay grateful” Was on a loop in my brain as I trudged forward with the unforgiving terrain. 

Before I finished listening to my full playlist, I made it to my midday foot stretch, butt break time! It’s also time to double-check my calculations again. I went to bed with the math telling me I’ll be camping after the Delaware Water Gap bridge this evening. I’d like to blame my tired and sweat-filled brain for the nearly 15-mile error margin. All I know is I’m mentally done with this map and ready for new, new, new! Ended my evening at the Kirkridge Shelter, 27 miles from where I slept last night. 

Day 65: Delaware Water Gap & New Jersey

A little over 6 miles to the Delaware Water Gap!

Booked it to the Village Farmer and Bakery for the messiest French toast breakfast sandwich imaginable! Two large pieces of French toast with two eggs and a sausage patty sandwiched between them all drizzled with local honey and powdered sugar! Wow, I sure can feel all that sugary goodness coursing through my veins! 

I sat at the picnic table outside charging my portable battery and talked to my mom. Any chance I get I find myself calling my mom, no matter the hour or what’s going on, she is always there to be my cheerleader. I walked down the road a little more to the gas station for some candy bars and a big soda to go! I overpacked the perfect amount of food from Hamburg, which is good because the temptation to pack out an entire loaf of banana bread was growing! 

Time to keep pushing! This terrain has done some damage to my feet as my toes are incredibly numb and I have tape almost on every toe! It’s a fairly miserable hobble today to make miles, but this sure made it all worth it!! 

Found somewhat of a groove for an hour when listening to music, but it sure didn’t last as long as I needed it to. Just need to keep making miles, even if it’s a slow crawl. 28 miles total today and set up before the evening rain, even that didn’t disturb the 4th of July festivities as I fell asleep to fireworks. 

Day 66: Mommy?!

One more big effort day today and I get to see family! I’m not sure what I was more excited about, a hug from my mom or the itch only a washcloth can provide. Admittedly, It’s been too long since I’ve seen soap. That’s probably why my chafing, blisters, and heat rash have gotten so bad! 

I only stopped today for water. The thought of finishing today with a big hug and an ice-cold soda had my legs on autopilot! I was so tired, dirty, and hungry for anything other than rice and protein bars that my headphones stopped working hours ago, yet remained in my ears. 

The miles were slowly coming to an end, three more miles to the trailhead quickly became two, then one. Picking up my pace with whatever energy I have left I finally see the car at the trailhead! As quickly as my excitement arose, it left. My mom and great-aunt didn’t see an AT sign and drove off down the road. I pushed myself harder than I ever had just for my ride to leave me. Calling them in frustration they just responded with a laugh. They know now, that there isn’t always a sign present. I hiked 31 miles in less than 12 hours today and whatever it was, would be explored at a later date.

Day 67: A Well-Deserved Zero 

As antsy as I was almost before breakfast was eaten, my legs were grateful for the rest. I just want to keep going mentally, but physically Pennsylvania and a DeepEnd pace don’t mesh well. I could feel the start of an overuse injury in both calves as they switch off which side hurts more every other day. 

So much ice cream consumed, blogs edited, and movies watched it was well worth the time off trail. I just hope getting back on the trail tomorrow will be just as smooth!

Until the next update, happy trails and hike on!