Who’s In That Orange Shirt?

The guy you’ve seen in several of my photos in the orange shirt is my friend BeeZ (yes, BeeZ). We both started hiking our flip flops on the same day at the south end of Shenandoah National Park. BeeZ is from Atlanta and a mathematician by trade. So, while his jokes may be lacking, he’s an experienced hiker who’s been keeping an eye on me. He handles all the logistics on a daily basis so I don’t have to.  We don’t typically hike shoulder to shoulder since I can’t keep his pace, but we normally end up in the same place at day’s end.

Day 33 – Delaware Water Gap to Mohican Outdoor Center (9)

Day 34 – Mohican Outdoor Center to Gren Anderson Shelter (21)

Day 35 – Gren Anderson Shelter to Route 443, Mosey’s Place (11)

Day 36 – Rest at Mosey’s (0)

A New State

I don’t want to seem ungrateful, but it’s nice to be out of Pennsylvania. As they say on the NJ lottery commercials – “Anything can happen … in New Jersey.”

The trail has been a bit easier for us, and we came to an impressive beaver pond. These pictures will speak to a beaver’s determination. These are really big trees. Note the white AT blaze on the tree in the first photo.

I’m almost surprised they weren’t able to drag that first tree away.

On day 34, I spent my first night in a shelter rather than a tent and had a few harrowing minutes.  During the night, I slipped out of my sleeping bag to, you know, answer nature’s call. When I reached for my shoes at the edge of the shelter, only one was there! Oh, no! While freaking out, I turned on my flashlight and continued searching for the missing shoe. Fortunately, I saw it on the ground about 15 feet away. Crisis averted and lesson learned, all equipment stays deep in the shelter going forward. I was later told it was likely a porcupine interested in the salt.

At the top of a ridge, while I was talking to my wife on the phone, I saw the following blue and black bird that I haven’t been able to identify. Can anybody help?

…and a couple more landscapes.

BeeZ and I are getting some rest at Mosey’s Place. She’s a 2015 thru-hiker and runs a super great hostel.

Thanks for listening.