So most of you know this, but for one’s that do not, I write my blog when I get to camp. After dinner, bathing with wet wipes, which really isn’t a bath but is as good as it gets, I start writing this blog. I’ve been complaining that I haven’t been sleeping well. Braveheart thought it’s because of the Blue Light from my screen on my phone. So Eddie found a way for me to place my screen on Night Shift which keeps the Blur Light to a minimum. Last night was my first attempt at Night Shift.

I woke up this morning and actually slept pretty darn good. I guess there is something truthful about turning your devices off or at least, the displays. The four of us, Mooch spent the night in camp with us, we’re up at 5:30am and on the trail before 7am.

I seriously was hoping that NY was going to be an easier state. As I’m finding out, each state is training ground for the next. NY is just as tough as NJ, which was tougher than PA, and so on… I need to know what I don’t know. Each state I move closer to Maine and every state north is tougher than the state before. Blue, this is a tough training field!

We headed out and it was a roller coaster of mountains and big rock gardens. I’m sorry, but we ain’t in Kansas anymore! Mooch stayed close by through the first few climbs. We had Eastern Pinnacles and Cat Rocks as a warm up. Once again, these rocks are “put your poles away kind of climbing” and no joke. I’m thinking I may need to rethink this trail.

It was only the beginning of what was going to be another tough day on the AT. After making it up and over the first Boulder climbs, Mooch took off. The three of us were on our own, meandering through these rock walls and climbs. At this point, I’m wondering if I bit off more than I can chew?

We made it down to Trout Creek where water was flowing. We all sat down and gathered up our water supply for the rest of the morning. Once refilled, we headed up towards Fitzgerald Falls. It was not flowing at all. With lack of rainfall, the fall was dry. Such a shame as it would’ve been a nice sight to see.

The trail took a hard left and we headed up the staircase to the top of the dry fall. The trail was a bit hard to follow but Braveheart was doing a great job at recon. We followed her up and over the falls.

At this point, I start sharing with Couch that I may be slowing her down. She has a particular time she wants to be completed at Mt. Katadrin, first week of August. I’d like to think more like the second week of August. She has her trail legs as she’s been out here since February. It’s hard finding that perfect hiking partner. Ends up Couch pushes me uphills and I am on her tail going down. I hope we can compromise and find a good rhythm that works for both of us.

Braveheart has been thinking about turning off at Empire State Trail and hiking back home to Rochester. she has a limited time before her visa runs up, and walking back to where her boyfriend is, makes a lot of sense. She’s familiar with the trail and now that she has conquered her fears, bears and snakes are not as big and bad as they once appeared. Our little girl is growing up.

We finished our day with climbing Buchanan Mountain. It’s another rock scramble that tests your quads and hamstrings. And maybe a bit of biceps and triceps on the pull-ups. This is such a great workout, and I’m thinking if I finish this up alive, maybe I’ll start climbing again! But maybe without a backpack.

Once on top we had a great downhill called Agony Rocks. The routes here do not include switchbacks. They are extreme and they follow a typical rockfall. So if you ever kick a rock down a mountain, whatever way it bounces, is pretty much the way the trail goes. Lucky for me, my knees are my strong suit and I was able to negotiate the downhill slide quite well. It was .5 miles with 800’ descent. Pretty darn steep.

The best part of today is the fact that Cinderella, aka Laurie, is picking us up from Elk Park. I met her last year when I was hiking the AT. She’s retired NYPD and has invited us all to stay at her home for the night. At first, I thought we just got off trail for our town stop but when she reminded me that severe weather was predicted, I rethought our strategy. Sounds like a great idea.

Her home is beautiful. It’s situated on a pond with rolling green grass, and a huge Victorian Style Home on top of the hill. She wined and dined us after we all took showers and laundry. I cannot believe the filth that comes off me after a couple of days in the woods. We had an amazing meal of Chicken Parmigiana, Fettuccine with Tomatoes & Basil, Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Maple Syrup and Salad. There was nothing left on our plates.

After 9pm, we all made it to our respective rooms for shuteye. Even off trail, hiker midnight comes early. I think after working out all day, your body requires much rest and nourishment. Instead of crawling in my sleeping bag on my blowup mattress, I was laying in a wonderful bed with Egyptian Cotton Sheets and Goose-Down Pillows. Oh, my life on the trail really isn’t that bad after all.

My sweet Lord has been blessing me with so many gifts these past weeks. The friends I have to hike with are the best. Even connecting me with people I met last year to protect us from the storms. He has showed us animals and critters who have been well-behaved, no striking snakes or angry bears. Jesus has kept me from certain injury over these numerous obstacles I’ve had to overcome, and protected all of us from any harm. I’m sure he has assigned many angels to watch over each one of us and they have their hands full. Life is good and I am so grateful to have my Creator right next to me, holding me up and pushing me ahead, even when there are times that I’m ready to throw in the towel! This is one incredible training ground indeed, both physically and spiritually. Thank you Jesus.