Walked on rocks all day and climbed knifes edge. Know what that does to you feet? I wish i could show you...its not good. Hiker feed for dinner...hot dogs!

2 significant accomplishments today. A 7:15 departure this morning and a 24 mile day. And now i am beat. And we resupplied at a candy shop!

Great night and pizza last night at the 501 shelter! And a cooler of trail magic at the road crossing! Good and easy day.

18 miles today and nearly all ridge walking! I have never seen so many trees and branches blown over the trail before!

Bad storms last night...the sky turned green and the trees were bent over. Thankfully we were safe in the shelter!

Great breakfast today. Then we hiked a steep uphill in 90 degree weather with a fully resupplied pack. I have never sweat that much in my life.

Taking a breather

We hiked an easier 11 miles today into Duncannon where we are spending the night at the old Doyle Hotel. Showers. Burgers. Laundry. Bed. What more could you ask for? Actually, this hotel is somewhat historic, and while it's not a five-star hotel, it's a great hiker stop! We've managed to stay out of the rain so far this week, but the heat is catching up to us. We've been pulling some longer days through Boiling Springs and across the countryside. We literally walked through fields, across roads, and over highways yesterday. Due to the rain last week, mud has overtaken the trail. My shoes are a completely different color (and smell) than when we started. And I'm beginning to see that the trail tears shoes apart. Thankfully, my feet are adjusting well and no longer hurt to the touch. That is a huge blessing! After our break tonight, we will head out tomorrow to what we hear are the dreaded rocks of PA. One more week on the trail then home for our younger brother's graduation. Then he will come and hike with us for a week before sending us on our way further up to Maine. I can't believe we've already been out here three weeks and have covered over 300 miles. We are finally into a routine and after learning the ropes, are feeling capable of our abilities out here. And we've met some super nice (and even crazy) people. With names like Heavy Metal, Bike Rider, Mousetrap, Smurf, and Mango, what would you expect? I'm wondering what the trail will throw at us next?

Teen Bean

Todays terrain was the easiest since the towpath out of harpers ferry. The humidity on the other hand wasnt so nice. Ah well. We will take it!

Making miles in PA! We got some practice on some rocks and boulders in preparation for the dreaded rock mines north of Duncannon. Here we come!

Stayed at a first class shelter last night. Potted plants, privy reading material, and a crystal clear spring. Thanks quarry gap innkeeper!

Pennsylvania welcomed us today with blue skies! First dry night in a week! Hard to believe!

Rain for the past week. My feet socks and shoes say its time for the sun to come back out!

After sleeping in and watching seinfeld we finished the rollarcoaster and moved on to easier terrain!

Onward we go!

After a very restful stay at the Bear's Den, we are moving on. We took the morning off to rest and relax (we have yet to take a zero day, but we take a morning or afternoon off every now and then). We are dry, our clothes are dry, and our gear is, well, mostly dry. Someone donated Panera bagels to the hostel, so we enjoyed a semi-normal and very delicious breakfast! After a quick stop in Harper's Ferry tomorrow, we will continue the trek north. Here's to hoping the rain holds off!

Teen Bean

I'm wearing clothes...and they're not mine

Strange title, right? Let me recap our day. We woke up at 7:00 this morning in a 4-person shelter filled with 6 people. A little crowded. By 7:45, we were on the trail and on a mission. It has been raining for the past 3 days, so we decided to make an 18-mile dash to the Bear's Den Hostel to spend the night. As we hiked through a meadow, the sun broke through the fog, and for the first time in days, we saw the blue sky. Our spirits were high as we entered the norther virginia rollarcoaster. The rollarcoaster is a 13.5 mile stretch with 10 ascents and descents (a ton of up and down!). Still going strong, a thunderstorm hit us just after lunch (peanut butter on tortilla shells, if you were wondering). The trail turned into a muddy stream, and we were hiking uphill as the water poured down. Green Mile felt invigorated by the rain and hiked faster. I (Teen Bean) was more cautious and sang to myself as I hiked up and down the mountains in the rain. I came to a creek, an overflowing creek. Thankfully, my brother was waiting there to help me across-yes, I admit it. I needed help across. 3 more miles and we were at the hostel! A warm shower, a hot pizza, and a cold pint of Ben and Jerry's were waiting for us. And the clothes I'm wearing are from a dresser while mine are in the wash! Warm and clean clothes for tomorrow. Hurray!!! Thanks all for your thoughts and prayers. Pictures and more updates to follow soon! Harper's Ferry day after tomorrow, Maryland right after that!

Teen Bean

The rain had to come

It's good the rain didn't come the first week or it might have been enough to do them in!  Now they are tough and can take it in stride. Each day brings new lessons.  They are learning how to adjust and make things a little easier for themselves.  Enjoy the pizza and Ben and Jerrys tomorow night!
Mom

Rain yesterday and today...and really thick fog. But the shelters are providing cover and there is a hostel ahead tomorrow!

Good bye shenandoah! You have been great and given us our trail legs...and a rattlesnake. Harpers ferry here we come!

Macaroni salad and snickers ice cream bar for lunch. 4 hot dogs and a bag of cheetos for dinner. Healthy right?

Second Wind

After a shower, clean laundry, groceries and a little rest Teen Bean and Green Mile both sound better and more energetic then they have since they started. I think they are starting to feel more positive and less overwhelmed, like this is actually a goal they can accomplish. Fortunately there has been little rain and they are starting to build stamina and find their pace.  I guess Green Mile is a strange attraction for centipedes - in his tent, sleeping bag, back pack down his shirt and even in his shoes!  Ha!  better him than Teen Bean!  There more campgrounds and facilities up ahead so the next few days look good.  I think the first week has been a monumental accomplishment!
Mom

Showers laundry and food today plus an afternoon off. Hurray! My feet are rejoicing!

Nearly halfway through shenandoah national park! We have met some neat people and seen some great sights. Posted a pic of our campsite tonight!

Good hiking so far! We are resupplying tomorrow at a campground. Daniels trailname has been changed to green mile. From the mountains we can see forever!

We quickly realized that we have to hike each day as it comes...maine seems impossible if we think too far ahead. So one day at a time!

Kristinas trail name is teen bean and daniels is puddleglum!

Good news! We have had good weather and made about 40 miles so far. We are just about to enter shenendoah national park!

Day 1 Pictures from yesterday - The Start

Day 1

The hike oficially started today near Montebello, Va with great weather, good spirits and high hopes for completing a through hike.   
posted by Mom

Travel-Check

Here we are. We made it safely to Lexington Virginia where we are spending the night before our start. The drive down was beautiful through southern Ohio and most of West Virginia. It rained nearly all day. We will, however, start near Montebello tomorrow-rain or shine. It's forecasted to get down into the 30s tomorrow night. Might as well start off cold and look forward to it warming up as summer draws nearer! We ate a big meal of steak, ribs, and fries at Applebees on the way down. Now, a good night's sleep for the start of our hike!

Packing-Check!

 We ran the errands-haircut, bank, Wal-Mart, the grocery store, Kohls. We gathered the supplies. And then, we (and by we I mean I) packed. I packed my food, I packed my clothes, I packed my tent and sleeping bag. Stove-check. Shoes-check. Trekking poles-check. Rain gear-check. Beef jerkey-check. We're ready to hit the road. We're ready to hit the trail. It's almost time!!!

Graduation-Check!

Finally, I am a graduated senior! I've attended the ceremony and recieved my diploma (cover). Hurray!

And now, it's just two short days until the hike. One day of errands and packing, one day of driving, then five months of hiking!