tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23974900454009029502024-03-08T04:41:58.173-08:00Gronk on the A.T.Two months on the Appalachian Trail during the spring of 2013. An attempted thru-hike cut short. <p align="right">gronkca.blogspot.ca</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-46395618007150889962013-06-17T16:47:00.003-07:002013-09-05T12:08:45.004-07:00500 miles in 5 minutes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A compilation of slides from the trail. It gives you a fast feel for what it's like to be out there without spending a long time on any one photo.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/HU1iscK3dTY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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You can also go straight to YouTube to watch it, in different sizes for your screen and bandwidth:</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU1iscK3dTY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU1iscK3dTY</a></div>
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And better quality <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bikeriders/" target="_blank">flickr photos are here</a> ...<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-78253531921994864502013-06-13T15:12:00.003-07:002013-06-22T07:27:18.993-07:00Leftovers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello Gronk fans! Here are some things I didn't post for Gronk earlier, for whatever reason. Enjoy!<br />
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Rain storm in Roanoke, and the reason why Gronk was delayed a day in flying home:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyD_7xCCyu9Wj2PeoRfvHfBDTyWer3YvdgsPeuVD8SNjRpveAFJSxC8joXjJqNt4TYTxYOGCHe_YvlQ-46uNw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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A still photo of the storm in Roanoke:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I5ZxuZ2glWs/UbpDQcdzlnI/AAAAAAAAAjg/mS3IvNf9pEs/s1600/rain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I5ZxuZ2glWs/UbpDQcdzlnI/AAAAAAAAAjg/mS3IvNf9pEs/s320/rain.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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What it looks like without the rain. There are hills back there!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoLzuyN_12Y/UbpDcZSp66I/AAAAAAAAAjo/hxSKmfM_VsM/s1600/Roanoke.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoLzuyN_12Y/UbpDcZSp66I/AAAAAAAAAjo/hxSKmfM_VsM/s320/Roanoke.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A screen grab of the television news, after the storm:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iXnuH3MqBl4/UbpDwilkkKI/AAAAAAAAAjw/oaQafHO9W0g/s1600/TreeNews.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iXnuH3MqBl4/UbpDwilkkKI/AAAAAAAAAjw/oaQafHO9W0g/s320/TreeNews.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The mama deer and her baby:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--C9KeH9tIPk/UbpB3_f_OTI/AAAAAAAAAjA/FJwKZIbxCHg/s1600/deer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--C9KeH9tIPk/UbpB3_f_OTI/AAAAAAAAAjA/FJwKZIbxCHg/s320/deer.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hiker boxes at the HoJos in Dalesville. Gronk contributed some of his extras to the boxes.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JqRnBFhgCVk/UbpC_QETQ9I/AAAAAAAAAjY/nLZ2gA12F3U/s1600/hikerBoxes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JqRnBFhgCVk/UbpC_QETQ9I/AAAAAAAAAjY/nLZ2gA12F3U/s320/hikerBoxes.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Camp on the Trail in heavy rain and wind:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yzlXaPkv8HM/UbpCO6602zI/AAAAAAAAAjI/zjCKAYHzOkY/s1600/rainInCamp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yzlXaPkv8HM/UbpCO6602zI/AAAAAAAAAjI/zjCKAYHzOkY/s320/rainInCamp.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Camp in the rain, complete with dinner being made:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxoG1f1B_6NdopAzSSet3ZIo3p9Tq-8tH7qzmv1ryg3DM_DeaRtIcFrpe8eyoZmcsm0wSgy7PXvNnh3NhuYWw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Lichen on a tree. Remind you of Space Invaders?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JP3NcOGcDNc/UbpCxjUX0eI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/CRfHlWB0V8s/s1600/lichen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JP3NcOGcDNc/UbpCxjUX0eI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/CRfHlWB0V8s/s320/lichen.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-83020205469719371312013-06-13T13:52:00.001-07:002013-06-13T13:52:14.000-07:00Ottawa bound<div class="p1">
June 13, later - Ottawa bound </div>
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I hung out at the local mall today, to kill time. There were many stores we don't have in Canada and they had some novel kiosks selling what I normally would've thought to be pretty cool stuff. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EyBa5jSsuvU/Ubove6qjm8I/AAAAAAAAAiY/T0AL04MTkbU/s1600/mall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EyBa5jSsuvU/Ubove6qjm8I/AAAAAAAAAiY/T0AL04MTkbU/s320/mall.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>Roanoke Valley View Mall</i></div>
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What surprised me was my total lack of interest in any of it. A remote controlled helicopter would've been pretty cool two months ago.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xj7HSq2_WAQ/Ubov3UWpPjI/AAAAAAAAAig/GhfApnnNjX8/s1600/copter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xj7HSq2_WAQ/Ubov3UWpPjI/AAAAAAAAAig/GhfApnnNjX8/s320/copter.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I walked both floors of the mall and wondered how anyone could be interested in the stuff they were selling. A place called Lids only sold ball caps. There were at least three others places selling "lids" along with the accompanying tee or sweat shirts and jackets. And except for Lids, they were all selling running type shoes. It seems neon orange, green and yellow are the in-thing for shoes now. There were no customers in the stores. Hopefully, it was just because it was too early in the day.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sL-4ev7xCr8/UbowE1na6oI/AAAAAAAAAio/81HelYM6TtQ/s1600/lids.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sL-4ev7xCr8/UbowE1na6oI/AAAAAAAAAio/81HelYM6TtQ/s320/lids.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The coolest kiosk, though was selling throwing knives, mini cross bows, stun guns and Klingon battle swords. And the prices were reasonable. :)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQhkau0NreE/UbowP31nGaI/AAAAAAAAAiw/vMUiDT6Slos/s1600/bench.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQhkau0NreE/UbowP31nGaI/AAAAAAAAAiw/vMUiDT6Slos/s320/bench.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Mall sculpture setting a poor example.</i></div>
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The two gals at the airport who were such a help getting me rebooked suggested I do lunch at Shakers. It was about a 15 minute walk from my hotel. And I'm so glad I did. </div>
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I had a couple of Fat Tire draught beers and ordered their bacon cheese burger (my default selection when everything looks good). It was one of the best burgers I've ever had (probably thanks to the double bacon I asked for!). But then I had two thoughts - when was breakfast at the hotel and when did the shuttle run? I have to be at the airport for 5:45am. </div>
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I called and was told breakfast was at 6am and if a shuttle driver was not available, they'd pay for a taxi to take me to the airport. </div>
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So I ordered a second bacon cheese burger with fries for breakfast. I have a fridge in the room. I had also told the waiter that the first one had been a really great burger and I needed a second one to go. Well the chef himself came out and had a chat with me.</div>
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He had plastic cutlery so we switched steamed apples for the fries and he packed the wet ingredients separate from the dry so I ended up with a deconstructed burger I could put together after nuking parts with my microwave oven. The apples were the icing on the cake. And I have coffee in the room. I love how American businesses bend over backwards to make the customer happy!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-13827368199781179382013-06-13T11:44:00.000-07:002013-06-13T11:44:46.356-07:00It ain't over 'til it's over.
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June 12 - It ain't over till it's over.</div>
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But the hike to Maine is finished for me this year. And I feel good about that. After 8 1/2 weeks of living out of a backpack and sharing it with all manner of insect life, I'm ready to go home. </div>
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And I miss my wife! :)</div>
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I'm not done with the A.T., though, and I think it's OK that I didn't eat the elephant all in one go. I'll be back. </div>
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And it will be in better physical, functional condition. I had noticed over the last few days after leaving Pearisburg that I couldn't tilt my head back to finish drinking the Gronk coffee from my pot without feeling a tearing sensation down my neck towards my left shoulder. I think it is wise for me to get off the trail before more damage may be done. Julia's setting me up with a chiropractor for an overhaul. </div>
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I've retrieved my bounce boxes and booked my flight to Ottawa for Thursday. </div>
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I really want to thank you all for the encouragement you offered. It was fun and humbling to read your comments. Thank you so much for taking the time. I really appreciate it. :)</div>
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June 13 - Update</div>
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Due to severe storms expected in the US north-east, my connection through Washington was cancelled until tomorrow. So instead of rolling the dice there, I've rebooked the whole trip for tomorrow. </div>
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And instead of another $30 taxi ride to my cheapie hiker motel and them back in the morning, I caught a free shuttle to the Comfort Inn Airport in Roanoke VA. They even gave me the "distressed traveler" discount!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fo6pT--Eh4o/UboSkSLI7hI/AAAAAAAAAiI/LMyw4K0LeEM/s1600/rubberDuck.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fo6pT--Eh4o/UboSkSLI7hI/AAAAAAAAAiI/LMyw4K0LeEM/s320/rubberDuck.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Wild life at the Comfort Inn.</i></div>
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Interestingly, when I put my pack onto the scale at the airline check-in counter, it weighed only 23 pounds. With full food and water there would be another 10 pounds for 33 total. That is very light compared to most packs being carried out there. This it goes to show, to me at least, that there is something wrong physically with me if I can't even carry that weight comfortably.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-66761144105855788012013-06-12T17:46:00.000-07:002013-06-12T17:46:51.378-07:00Saturation
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June 11 - Saturation point reached</div>
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It rained most of the night. Temp fell steadily. Only 16C in the hammock. Very chilly outside with a moderate wind with gusts. </div>
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Another limb came down. It was smaller than the last one but that's now the third one that has come down near me. There was one as I walked out of Damascus that cracked right over my head. The sound made me run forward ducking my head. It crashed to the ground right on the trail about 10 meters behind me!</div>
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I had packed all my damp gear in 45 minutes and was heading down a soggy trail. A surprising number of tents were set up at campsites just past me. </div>
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Within the first hour on the trail I was thinking I may have had my fill of hiking this summer. I thought about leaving the trail at Daleville, my next town stay. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KNnQ3SULixM/UbkUFHogIII/AAAAAAAAAhE/bbDuFXjprwc/s1600/sun.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KNnQ3SULixM/UbkUFHogIII/AAAAAAAAAhE/bbDuFXjprwc/s320/sun.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>One minute of sunshine, in 24 hours.</i></div>
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The feet were still an issue but the main problem was my shoulder, or rather, the trapezius muscle. I had two days off in Pearisburg, one day of hiking and then another day off during the storm, and it still bothered me so much, that I used my hiking poles beneath the pack to hold it up a bit for short periods. If I could have carried my pack with just the right shoulder, I would have. </div>
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I slogged through a lot of Alder tunnels filled with mud. I kept readjusting my pack straps trying to put most of the load on the right shoulder. I couldn't use the left hiking pole at all and if anything, the trapezius pain seemed to be getting worse. </div>
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I decided to see if there was a bail-out option before Daleville. I scanned The Guide thinking I'd have a road crossing with a town nearby in a day or two, but then I saw this: Camping at "The Captain's" 30 yards east. I decided to keep my eye out for this place as The Captain might be able to, or know someone who could, shuttle me to town. </div>
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As I walked, I thought, I love the soles on my Oboz shoes because I can't feel rocks and roots through them. I hate the soles on my Oboz because they're so slippery they're dangerous! I've slipped and fallen twice with them and have slipped and caught myself more than a dozen times. I'm really leery now of rock scrambles. It takes time to navigate these hazards. </div>
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With all the rain, the streams were swollen. Usually there are rocks in the stream you can walk on but this day, all the rocks were under water by several inches. There were numerous crossings to be made and my shoes were soaked from the get-go. At least with hiking poles, I was offered some stability. </div>
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The Captain's was eight miles into the day's hike. Before I got there, I saw a blue blaze trail going off to the right with a sign stapled to a tree stating that the zip line was closed because of the swollen river and slack packers were to take the side trail to the road, turn left and walk a half mile to The Captain's. Look for mailbox 4464.</div>
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I continued on, wondering about the zip line, when I ran into a stream that fed that swollen river. It was very fast water, wider than most streams and the rocks were covered by about a foot of water as gauged with my hiking stick. I felt it could knock me over and I didn't want to chance it if I didn't have to. </div>
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And I didn't have to, thanks to that sign a quarter mile back. I returned to the fork, took the blue blaze trail and about 20 minutes later, turned into the driveway of 4464 Big Stony Creek Road.</div>
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There was no one home and I had no cell service. It was a cool place though. There were two friendly dogs and the back door, to a huge closed in porch with a fridge filled with soft drinks, was unlocked. A sign said to make yourself at home even if no human was around and to sleep on the porch if it was raining. Nice. The zip line connected the property to the A.T. on the other side of the river. A novel way to get to your campsite for sure. </div>
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I headed back down the road retracing my steps, surprisingly disappointed no one was around to help me out. A truck came down the road and I waved to the driver and then kicked myself for not waving him down and asking where we were in relationship to Daleville. </div>
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A moment later the truck returned! He said I looked like I needed directions. He had turned around and come back! It's funny how things show up just when you need them. Kismet. </div>
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His name was Jason and he was a farrier. His client that afternoon had cancelled and it was my good fortune he was there on that road at all. He said the A.T. crosses the river a half mile further up the road on a pedestrian bridge and I didn't have to backtrack. And he offered me a ride up to it. </div>
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I asked him directly - how much could I offer him to take me to Daleville? He didn't answer right away and then we arrived at the foot bridge across the river. I could see the telltale white blaze off to the right which was north. And then I saw a hiker hurriedly coming down into the gap. He had seen the truck pull up and wanted something. </div>
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He came up to us looking desperate and started talking about bad boots and needing to find an outfitter. I looked at his boots and the right one had the sole completely separated from the rest of the shoe. It was held in place with a lashing. This guy was in a bad way. The nearest outfitter was in Daleville. So suddenly we were on our way. </div>
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Talk about timing and coincidence. Had Jason's client not cancelled he wouldn't have been on that road. Had I crossed the swollen creek I'd have been there earlier and missed Jason. Had Jason not given me a ride up to the trail the guy with one good boot would not be going to the outfitter. </div>
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It was an hour and a half to Daleville. Jason dropped me at the front door of the HoJo motel which is closest to the A.T. He wouldn't take a dime for going out of his way! Said he was paying back kindness shown to him. Wow. </div>
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I decided to sleep on my decision to leave the trail. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-51528417514267715012013-06-12T09:04:00.001-07:002013-06-12T17:52:23.335-07:00A dark and stormy night. And day. And night.<br />
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June 10 - A dark and stormy night. And day. </div>
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It was just past 7pm last night when the wind picked up. I thought it prudent to check the tarp lines and decided to double wrap the lines around the rocks. </div>
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No sooner was I zipped back into the hammock when it began pouring and the wind kicked it up several notches, enough to make my hammock shake and shimmy. The wind seemed to change directions repeatedly and I was worried the tarp might fail. </div>
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I had a fitful sleep as my house kept moving to and fro with each wind gust, and when I woke up at 3 am, I was still wearing my glasses as I was prepared to leap out into the storm if need be. Truth be told I wasn't sure what I'd do if the tarp failed. A cord breakage would not be much of a problem but if the material failed it would be structurally unsound to the point where it could not be pitched. And then I'd be in some trouble. It's made of Silicon impregnated nylon and works much like an umbrella - so long as it's under tension it will shed water. </div>
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What was worse, though, was the hammock was taking on water. I used the excess tarp-to-tree lines to act as drip lines on the hammock suspension. I have 12 foot lines and rarely need more than three or four feet to secure the hammock to the tree.</div>
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When it rains hard, water flows down the tree and then some of it veers off following the hammock suspension. A drip line gives the water another chance to change direction and flow to the ground instead if all the way to hammock where the material will then soak it up. My drip lines were too small relative to the flow of water. </div>
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It was still storming three hours later this morning and it continued until past 9 am, when I was wondering what I ought to do. I was surprised I had some off-and-on AT&T service and managed to get a radar image. Then I sent an email to Julia and she managed to update me on the weather with more accuracy. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
The rain kept starting and stopping. For a brief moment there was sunshine and the world looked rather pleasant. Then it was gone and the winds were back. Bottom line was they were calling for 90% chance of rain today but a better day tomorrow.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T3y_Ngxfb-k/UbkUohvoKTI/AAAAAAAAAhM/2u92ZKcTBfI/s1600/gronkJn10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T3y_Ngxfb-k/UbkUohvoKTI/AAAAAAAAAhM/2u92ZKcTBfI/s320/gronkJn10.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>One frustrated hiker.</i></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
There were at least eight tents back at the campground four miles back where I watered up yesterday and I kept waiting for these hikers to come by but I only saw three. So it seems they saw the same weather report and are staying put. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I hung out listening to the radio when available - about 10 minutes or so each hour if lucky, and read stuff I have on my Kindle app. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Thunder showers, some pretty severe, came and went. One in particular filled my tarp (rigged in porch mode) with puddles of water. I had to push up on the tarp to empty the puddles every few minutes. When the rain subsided I went out to tighten things up. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
As I pulled on the tarp lines I heard cracking wood. I heard this twice earlier an hour or so before. I thought it might've been an approaching hiker but none showed. As I looked over there was the tremendous crack of splitting wood and a huge limb, as thick as my waist, on an adjacent tree only 20 meters away broke loose and crashed to the ground. A widow maker!</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I looked overhead to double check there were no potential hammock killers above me. I usually hang from smaller trees away from the big monsters and never under any dead limbs. A sobering incident nonetheless. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
It's damp and misty but there could be worse days. The tarp and hammock are holding up so far. Another soggy day in the hammock.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-50492332298299012702013-06-12T09:00:00.000-07:002013-06-12T17:46:34.184-07:00Back out there<br />
<div class="p1">
June 9 - Back out there</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
When you leave town after a zero day, you smell good and you're clean. You foolishly try to make that last as long as possible by walking around things that may make you dirty or have bugs hiding in them. But it's all for naught. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I was slow getting out this morning and didn't hit the pavement for the walk back to the trail until almost 10:30. It was a hot sunny walk and I was in the woods by 11 with sweat pouring off me. It was very humid. </div>
<div class="p2">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x-RldV62450/UbimMA6SVDI/AAAAAAAAAg0/vmenVskvN9s/s1600/LeavingPearisburg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x-RldV62450/UbimMA6SVDI/AAAAAAAAAg0/vmenVskvN9s/s320/LeavingPearisburg.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
The climb out of Pearisburg involved crossing the New River on a huge bridge. It's called "new" but geologists believe it's one of the two oldest rivers in the world. There were two kayaks and two canoes floating along with the current, the people knew each other and were chatting with one another. Nice way to spend a Sunday morning.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpMp51-1fvA/UbkVk21Zx0I/AAAAAAAAAhk/096ZEZ06K-0/s1600/dottedLine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpMp51-1fvA/UbkVk21Zx0I/AAAAAAAAAhk/096ZEZ06K-0/s320/dottedLine.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Just follow the dotted line...</i></div>
</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
My pack did feel lighter, I'm happy to report but the shoulder was still sore. On the walk up to Walmart yesterday, I wondered about whether or not it was from muscle fatigue as stretching it made it feel a lot better. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
That made me think it might have something to do with the hiking pole and not the pack at all. So today I carried the left pole more than I used it. I tried shortening and then lengthening it. I paid attention to how I used it relative to the right pole. I noticed I had a strangely uneven gait and was digging the left pole into the ground with more force and a twisting action. The jury is still out but I may be on to something here. I tried to walk more balanced and I think it helped. </div>
<div class="p2">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-21tY18fZXaE/UbkV287y4eI/AAAAAAAAAhs/tZFwbz8KkXs/s1600/RiceFieldView.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-21tY18fZXaE/UbkV287y4eI/AAAAAAAAAhs/tZFwbz8KkXs/s320/RiceFieldView.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>The view from Rice Field.</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uyWZSGCT1hE/UbkWGU7xLHI/AAAAAAAAAh0/Qx1vEekebmA/s1600/ApproachingHiker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uyWZSGCT1hE/UbkWGU7xLHI/AAAAAAAAAh0/Qx1vEekebmA/s320/ApproachingHiker.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Look carefully - there's an approaching hiker.</i></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
The trail climbed to a ridge a couple of thousand feet above Pearisburg and stayed there for several hours of hiking. At one point I came to a group of tents at the prettiest camp site. I was looking for the water source and spoke to Jay Bird. He said everyone was there because of possible thunderstorms later on and the fact it was 11 miles to the next water. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I filled up my bottles and then filled my dirty water bag as backup because I knew I would be wild camping before the next water source. Eleven miles was out of reach for me. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Interestingly this also happened last week where I was obliged to carry four extra pounds of water. So although my pack was lighter this week, that extra water made it heavier, lol. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
There was a camping area shown on the map and I wanted to walk at least to that spot before stopping. But when I got there it turned out to be an open field so I kept moving.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
And then a mama deer with her spotted fawn strolled across the trail! She sort of leaped behind some stubby trees but then stopped and eyed me curiously. The fawn just stayed by her side. Wonderful. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
And suddenly there were hikers. Four of them looking rather sweaty. Hikers usually nod at me and pay me little attention. These four leaped up and looked they want to hug me. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Turns out they yogied a ride from a local who knew a short cut back to the A.T. and following his directions, for 10 miles they figured, way longer they he had indicated it would be, they walked a road that petered out into a cart path that petered out to a dead end trail. And there, thankfully, were two white blazes. But which way was north and where were they? </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I told them I knew exactly where they were and they were much relieved. But not happy. Water was either four miles back or seven miles ahead. They weren't out of water but were low and I offered some of mine but they said they'd be OK. They decided go the four miles south and I said good-bye and headed north. I wished I'd been a little more insistent and given them some of my water.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-16QcFlz0-Cc/UbkVMkloYPI/AAAAAAAAAhc/rFCBhJBFdzo/s1600/springWater.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-16QcFlz0-Cc/UbkVMkloYPI/AAAAAAAAAhc/rFCBhJBFdzo/s320/springWater.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>A life saving trickle of water.</i></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I walked another half mile and then decided to pack it in. I was still on the ridge and it was rather windy but I found two trees that were square to the wind and rigged my tarp with a steep pitch on the windward side. I had to use large rocks as it was just too rocky to drive in a stake more than two inches. First time that's happened. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I set up my cook pot and stove to make dinner and then it began to rain. There was some distant thunder but no storm materialized over my head. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
And then there was another spotted fawn! Right on the trail in front of my camp. And this time I got a picture with my phone. He was snacking on something on the trail and was a bit jittery, jumping sideways every so often. And then he wandered off into tall grass. I was being very quiet so his mama was giving him some leeway I figured.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U6nQK2NENjU/UbkU9YUibUI/AAAAAAAAAhY/aY2e85zlHMc/s1600/fawn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U6nQK2NENjU/UbkU9YUibUI/AAAAAAAAAhY/aY2e85zlHMc/s320/fawn.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
A mist rolled in and I felt its chill. It was time to turn in. I hung the food bag and crawled into the quilt.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-10660146350695958472013-06-10T07:04:00.000-07:002013-06-10T09:33:44.817-07:00June 10 storm on the ATThis morning, I got this email from Gronk:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="p1">
<i>" I'm in the middle of a huge storm. Started last night at 7. Feels like remnant of tropical storm. High winds and gusts that change direction all the time. Hoping my tarp won't fail. A bit scary. Am staying put for now. Hammock is taking on some water. Everything damp or wet. </i></div>
<div class="p2">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="p1">
<i>Have weak signal so will send this "</i></div>
<br />
<br />
So I got on the <a href="http://www.weather.gov/Radar" target="_blank">NOAA radar</a> and started looking locally and found that some dense rain had been pushing through, as he said.<br />
<br />
Then, my phone rang and it was Gronk! Unfortunately, it was the kind of reception you get in horror movies, where you can only hear every third phrase from the trapped hero. "wore glasses all night ... wind ... tarp may fail ... " Then, the call failed! I am sure he will eventually be fine, but I thought this deserved an update.<br />
<br />
This is the Blackburg VA radar now. All that green and yellow stuff was what passed through Gronk's campsite over night. From the big picture, it looks like he will get hit with some more later today too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FuDHk8zUX2Q/UbXcfi9h-kI/AAAAAAAAAgc/fAOtRQK0Dro/s1600/WeatherJune10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FuDHk8zUX2Q/UbXcfi9h-kI/AAAAAAAAAgc/fAOtRQK0Dro/s320/WeatherJune10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-37107594448285557122013-06-08T16:31:00.001-07:002013-06-08T16:31:26.180-07:00Pearisburg, VA
<br />
<div class="p1">
June 8 - Zero day in Pearisburg</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Working on lightening my load, I went through the pack and made a pile of the stuff I didn't use this last week. It was mostly clothes. I did use my rain jacket but I had a lighter Sil-nylon jacket in my bounce box which I picked up at the Post Office. AND my Amazon package was there too!</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Back in Marion VA, I ordered an external battery pack after reading reviews on line for eight different models. I gave Amazon the general delivery address for Pearisburg and <a href="http://amazon.com/"><span class="s1">Amazon.com</span></a> accepted it. I got free delivery, too as it cost just the right amount to qualify, $39.99. It will allow me to recharge my phone about three times while in the woods between towns. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
So now I have two bounce boxes. The heavier rain gear is in a separate one just in case I find I need it. I hope the warmer weather means I won't need it. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I spent the day doing chores and relaxing, although I did walk 4.2 miles up to and back from Wally World <i>[Editor note: this means WalMart - I didn't know and had to ask!]</i> looking for waterproof tape. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
The next section is remarkably like the last one. It's 97 miles with a grocery store/grill 23 miles away from the next town stay, which will be Daleville. I have five days of food and expect to be in Daleville on either the seventh or eight day. I'll be heading out tomorrow. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SSe2MHFSGuU/UbO-DEop0_I/AAAAAAAAAgM/rGQ8pWm5QJM/s1600/Gadgets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SSe2MHFSGuU/UbO-DEop0_I/AAAAAAAAAgM/rGQ8pWm5QJM/s320/Gadgets.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>The "Stickpic" attached to the camera allows the camera to be attached to the end of a hiking pole, thus allowing the hiker to make a video of himself all alone in the woods (as in the previous blog post). The "New Trent" is an external portable battery charger that will allow the phone to be recharged when there are no electrical outlets around.</i></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-84467317875469776392013-06-08T07:46:00.000-07:002013-06-08T07:50:45.867-07:00Some videosAs Gronk dries out his gear<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k8WeDu-pst0/UbM7QAq0n8I/AAAAAAAAAf8/G65JBcLPNyk/s1600/DryingOut.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k8WeDu-pst0/UbM7QAq0n8I/AAAAAAAAAf8/G65JBcLPNyk/s320/DryingOut.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
here are some videos to keep you entertained.<br />
<br />
This is the pony who enjoyed his salty leg:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzV4yeSJSQbNPE60exmILiSlhZxP1OF4lsnpyFd1SSa1C-fQziW2XpucKstdHbF9s0e20Th2sxhxyVXRT8RUA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Here's the first video on the AT that he posted on YouTube, although it was made only a few days ago, earlier this week.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/nEeMA-1aBH8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Here's a typical hillside on the AT (that clicking in the background is some sort of bird):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/EA2n8wrg-dQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
And here's Gronk at his camp site on June 4:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/PeMUeRpkK3s?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Finally, that beautiful, fragrant flowering shrub was the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalmia_latifolia" target="_blank">mountain laurel</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-80875803089967788142013-06-08T07:01:00.001-07:002013-06-08T07:01:48.102-07:00Editor aside and extrasHi all Gronk fans! Julia here. I thought you might be interested to see what we see, when we have "FaceTime" chats. Peter took a screen capture from his iPhone of our talk last night, so I though I'd post it here.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bdliwEIToJ0/UbM1Ec_YM0I/AAAAAAAAAeY/h4TPJvObUZg/s1600/FaceTime.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bdliwEIToJ0/UbM1Ec_YM0I/AAAAAAAAAeY/h4TPJvObUZg/s320/FaceTime.PNG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
Then, when I downloaded email this morning, there were 15 more! I'm going to put a few of the photos (below) into the blog entries already up, like the black snake and some of the views. But I'll post them here too, in case you don't want to go back and see them in context. He also has a few videos, some of which are on YouTube. I'll post both the videos and the URLs, in case one doesn't want to work. As another alternative, you can go to Peter's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/castleman81" target="_blank">YouTube channel</a> and see his videos there, all at once. But I'll do all the videos in a separate entry.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
Black snake on the AT:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mCJJlt42G8w/UbM2dyW9EtI/AAAAAAAAAeo/Emw1BJXZzLU/s1600/BlackSnake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mCJJlt42G8w/UbM2dyW9EtI/AAAAAAAAAeo/Emw1BJXZzLU/s320/BlackSnake.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The Heidi shelter, where you feel like yodelling:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HgOgD-WTjqo/UbM2vx_qkLI/AAAAAAAAAew/qgISUy-q9Lc/s1600/HeidiShelter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HgOgD-WTjqo/UbM2vx_qkLI/AAAAAAAAAew/qgISUy-q9Lc/s320/HeidiShelter.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
More field walking:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JFL1EiCTLzA/UbM29GGz4hI/AAAAAAAAAe4/Tr-rZKLe1kk/s1600/FieldWalking2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JFL1EiCTLzA/UbM29GGz4hI/AAAAAAAAAe4/Tr-rZKLe1kk/s320/FieldWalking2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Crossing the I-77 takes a lot of extra walking:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1V4BrWoVWoA/UbM3QJUaFjI/AAAAAAAAAfA/TqWyDd-YNHU/s1600/I77.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1V4BrWoVWoA/UbM3QJUaFjI/AAAAAAAAAfA/TqWyDd-YNHU/s320/I77.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Camp site in the morning:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MCnHUvzEO88/UbM3kEC4sII/AAAAAAAAAfI/GlOYzTWyFsc/s1600/MorningCamp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MCnHUvzEO88/UbM3kEC4sII/AAAAAAAAAfI/GlOYzTWyFsc/s320/MorningCamp.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
How to fix the path through a big blow-down:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqQyJAC7bQ8/UbM37m7ca2I/AAAAAAAAAfQ/1eGTeKkMAfY/s1600/Blowdown.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqQyJAC7bQ8/UbM37m7ca2I/AAAAAAAAAfQ/1eGTeKkMAfY/s320/Blowdown.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
True American colours on trail magic:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d8fMGlKiZUQ/UbM4gMWYVlI/AAAAAAAAAfc/TrA0IkHpvLo/s1600/Bud.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d8fMGlKiZUQ/UbM4gMWYVlI/AAAAAAAAAfc/TrA0IkHpvLo/s320/Bud.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A well known suspension bridge on the AT. It really does bounce when you walk on it!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p1aPiq-ZHa8/UbM4ywO30MI/AAAAAAAAAfk/E1cEzjCMBno/s1600/Suspension1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p1aPiq-ZHa8/UbM4ywO30MI/AAAAAAAAAfk/E1cEzjCMBno/s320/Suspension1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Stay tuned for videos in the next Editor entry!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-12388783686519937752013-06-07T17:16:00.000-07:002013-06-07T17:16:00.603-07:00Into Pearisburg
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June 7 - Into town</div>
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<br /></div>
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Woke up to rain. Sigh. Waited but it didn't go away. Got up and packed. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm out of alcohol wipes so yesterday, I used my cooking alcohol (methyl hydrate) to swab the areas of my feet where I need the tape to stick (the wipes dried the skin nicely). It didn't work. So today I used water. That didn't seem to work either. There's a Rite-Aid pharmacy here and I hope I don't have to buy 100 wipes. In Gatlinburg, they gave me free samples! </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
It was a relatively easy 8 miles to town. Everything was wet. There was grass along the trail and what must have been a solid mile of Alder tunnel where I was just doused with rain water continuously. Not much you can do but shrug and say, Reality - Gottaluvit! So I was doused with water and my shoes were soaked and it was squish, squish, squish all the way down the final 2000 feet to the road. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
I must work on my Yogi-ing skills. From the trailhead on the road, it was about .8 miles down the hill to Main Street in Pearisburg. A guy in a van who had turned around and was clearly waiting for this old dude to walk up his driveway to get driven somewhere, asked if I needed anything and dummy me, I said no! I should've said, "Yes, a ride to the bottom of the hill, please."</div>
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<br /></div>
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I must reduce my load. I must figure out why my pack is hurting me. I must get my feet in working order. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Adah7CBEPJI/UbJ3oiix_II/AAAAAAAAAeI/kuSxFjURj1Q/s1600/AngelsRest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Adah7CBEPJI/UbJ3oiix_II/AAAAAAAAAeI/kuSxFjURj1Q/s320/AngelsRest.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-40327256126677727962013-06-07T17:07:00.004-07:002013-06-08T07:49:08.290-07:00A rainbow of colour<br />
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June 6 - A rainbow of colour</div>
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<br /></div>
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Squished insect in shoe. Lesson learned: check shoes before inserting feet!</div>
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<br /></div>
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I usually fall asleep right away but last night I lay awake, thoughts racing, until midnight. It may have been thinking about bears and having that bacon cheese burger hanging in my pack at the end of my hammock, lol. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I just couldn't find a place to hang my food bag, so I quadruple wrapped the burger and hoped for the best. It's 12:30am as I write this. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Woke up to rain hitting the tarp with a nice sort of rat-a-tat-tat sound. It didn't stop so I got up and packed up and then headed out. I rather enjoyed the rain at first. But as the day wore on and the shoes got soaked and my feet began moving in them, the pleasantness wore off. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
VERY tough day for me. Blisters and sore feet were a problem. And my pack was hurting my left shoulder again. I have to figure that one out as it makes no sense. But I did notice the left shoulder strap is twisted a bit as it lies on my shoulder. The right one is perfectly flat. Manufacturing error? </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
As I hiked along, water soaked trails going squish, squish, squish, I thought of my bacon cheese burger and how good it would taste later on, sitting in my hammock munching away waiting for the coffee to heat up. Then another thought struck me. Would it be safe to eat?! But I had wrapped it tightly. Surely no bacteria could breed? Damn. </div>
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<br /></div>
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There was one big 2.5 mile climb up an unnamed mountain which had a view but my only view the entire day was misty fog. There was also a fire tower view three miles along the ridge of this mountain but I didn't even bother walking up to it. </div>
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<br /></div>
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But what there was today was plenty of was colour! All along for a week now, there have been these six to ten foot high bushes with bright orange flowers but they've been off the trail and I couldn't get a picture. Today, they were right up alongside the trail and not only were there orange blossoms but there also were hot pink blossoms and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalmia_latifolia" target="_blank">two-tone pink and white ones</a>. They were all along the edge of the trail going up and down and they had the most wonderful scent.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z19maMq-5-E/UbJyJmfHGJI/AAAAAAAAAdU/TjRiFCTu1n8/s1600/ShrubFlower2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z19maMq-5-E/UbJyJmfHGJI/AAAAAAAAAdU/TjRiFCTu1n8/s320/ShrubFlower2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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Finally I arrived at my destination, Doc's Knob shelter. I backed up a hundred yards to a nice looking wooded area that I had passed and set up my hammock, in the rain of course. But I was home for the night. I was dry and I was warm. </div>
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And the burger was great. :)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6uiiEjgKfI/UbJ2K6304TI/AAAAAAAAAd4/9PN1_mI6RJE/s1600/HomeJune6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6uiiEjgKfI/UbJ2K6304TI/AAAAAAAAAd4/9PN1_mI6RJE/s320/HomeJune6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Home right on the trail.</i></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-13044890749581162112013-06-07T17:02:00.000-07:002013-06-08T07:08:06.117-07:00Doing damage<br />
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June 5 - doing damage</div>
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<br /></div>
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Very easy start to this day. Lulled into a false sense of security, I even made a video for fun as I walked. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
But then the rocks began and they went on and on. I needed to resupply, as I had less than a day's food. Trent's Grocery was talked about and that was my goal, 14 miles away and a half mile off the trail. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I finally got there after two trail magics! The first was a case of water which was timely. But the second was obviously from a hiker. There was a cooler that had hot dog buns, ketchup and mustard, marsh mellows, baby carrots and Budweiser. Adjacent was a lighter, two rolls of tp from a four pack, a roll of duct tape and a plastic container of cinnamon hearts - solid sugar. There must've been dogs for the buns before I got there. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d8fMGlKiZUQ/UbM4gMWYVlI/AAAAAAAAAfg/mRoXBs-FSa0/s1600/Bud.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d8fMGlKiZUQ/UbM4gMWYVlI/AAAAAAAAAfg/mRoXBs-FSa0/s320/Bud.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Did I mention the Bud?! :)</div>
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<br /></div>
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There were three cans in semi melted ice. I cracked one and it went right down. I had passed two older day hikers a half hour up the trail and I knew they'd enjoy a cold one as we'd joked about it as I passed them. What a surprise for them! </div>
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<br /></div>
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I got to Trent's and ordered a bacon cheese burger. I looked around and for a hiker it was sparse. Minimal. I was confused at one point when I saw tuna next to trout and thought, "Oh, trout," but then realized that it was bait - trout food to catch trout, shelved right next to people food. I bought some bars and peanuts. Ordered a second burger, retaped the feet and headed out. </div>
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<br /></div>
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And there was Stitch! We got caught up and said our good-byes. She was staying at Trent's that night - they offered camping - and was headed to Woods Hole Hostel the next day. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I walked back to the trail head and then another 1.8 miles into the woods before calling it a night. There was a waterfall .3 miles up the trail according to my map and I heard from my hammock, excited voices in the distance which must've come from there. It made me happy to think they were at the falls and having a good time. :)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-26533320131664017612013-06-07T16:56:00.003-07:002013-06-08T07:07:39.410-07:00Snake!<br />
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June 4 - Snake! :)</div>
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<br /></div>
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In April I asked aloud, "Why are we doing this?" No one really had an answer. In May I only asked myself on steep climbs, "Why am I hiking?" Now, a month later, I just hike. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Hike. Eat. Sleep. Repeat. My world. It's funny how we acclimatize to something. Even when it's hard. I am now a hiker. Or am I?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Today was an easy day. It's easy to be philosophical when one is not being overly challenged. </div>
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<br /></div>
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When McGyver and I started out, there was a lot of angst. I kept my trail guide in the backpack mesh pocket and was constantly pulling it out to check it so we wouldn't get lost. Blazes were not as regular as we were led to believe and we were confused a lot. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Now, following the trail is second nature. It's unconscious. You instinctively know where it is. Blazes are in the corner of your eye (if that), and you don't sweat it if you don't see one for a half hour. We have become part of the trail. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The titular snake was a 4 foot black snake just playing possum at the edge of the trail. Totally harmless. He didn't move and he had a very small head. I liked the way his body was so subtle. Many black curves as he lay in the oak leaves.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mCJJlt42G8w/UbM2dyW9EtI/AAAAAAAAAes/cJFTlXO-0Zo/s1600/BlackSnake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mCJJlt42G8w/UbM2dyW9EtI/AAAAAAAAAes/cJFTlXO-0Zo/s320/BlackSnake.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A nice day on the trail. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-90126605788340584272013-06-07T16:53:00.001-07:002013-06-08T07:07:20.610-07:00500 miles<br />
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June 3 - 500 miles </div>
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<br /></div>
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It was still raining when I woke up. I packed in the rain and headed down the mountain. The trail is a mess when it's wet. Especially the down hill parts. You have to watch you don't end up on your ass. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Then came the climb of the day - 2200 feet of elevation gain over 4.4 miles. Shouldn't been that hard but it was. My heart kept racing and I spent a lot of time waiting for it to slow down so I could continue. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I really wonder if I'm handicapped now. I've had the myocardial bridge thing since birth, yet I used to run 10 miles in 52 - 55 minutes in college. Yet now my heart rate goes through the theoretical roof for someone my age on these climbs. (The numbers say I should be stroking out). The cardiologist said I had 30-40% blockage of the arteries. Is this the problem?</div>
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<br /></div>
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I believe the research and documentation that is coming out now, about how primal and paleo diets are healthier than what your average person eats. But I don't like this handicap I have. If it's the arterial blockage causing the high heart rate, then I'm going to give the Ornish diet a go. Or Flemming's as outlined in his book, Inflammation. Both claim to have had success in reversing arterial plaque. On the other hand, maybe it's just in my genes and that's the way it is. </div>
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<br /></div>
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One thing the trail has shown me is, sometimes that's just the way it is. You get so basic out here. Necessities are few but you can't do without them. Staying dry and warm, having food and happy feet are about all that's required. Anything else is a luxury or at least, a bonus. Like coffee. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z19maMq-5-E/UbJyJmfHGJI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/aln-ToA4fAg/s1600/ShrubFlower2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z19maMq-5-E/UbJyJmfHGJI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/aln-ToA4fAg/s320/ShrubFlower2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
At noon, I was at Chestnut Knob shelter. There was a lot of meadow walking through wet grass to get to the knob. When I saw it, a blockhouse structure with a real door, perched on the very top of the mountain with fog all around, I wanted to start yodelling. I threw open the door and a half dozen hikers looked up and I said, 'Where's Heidi at?' They all chuckled. Everyone had had the same idea.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HgOgD-WTjqo/UbM2vx_qkLI/AAAAAAAAAe0/Wk5TF1UrBBE/s1600/HeidiShelter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HgOgD-WTjqo/UbM2vx_qkLI/AAAAAAAAAe0/Wk5TF1UrBBE/s320/HeidiShelter.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>The Heidi shelter.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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I dropped my pack for about 10 minutes and sat down for a while but there really wasn't room for all of us, so I headed out. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HMPJHKmsfDc/UbJyWqb7I5I/AAAAAAAAAdY/Iait_ByspK8/s1600/Shroom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HMPJHKmsfDc/UbJyWqb7I5I/AAAAAAAAAdY/Iait_ByspK8/s320/Shroom.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The trail headed down steeply for quite a stretch before heading back up to a ridge which went on for some distance. The ridge was a series of continuous ups and downs for several miles. Officially know as Garden Mountain, it's unofficially known as God's Thumbprint. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Eventually I arrived at Jenkin's Shelter at mile 575.2, making it 500 miles for me officially.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i_bobC0Auxc/UbJ0Xzp9TLI/AAAAAAAAAdo/fTXhXj7aAzo/s1600/JenkinsShelter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i_bobC0Auxc/UbJ0Xzp9TLI/AAAAAAAAAdo/fTXhXj7aAzo/s320/JenkinsShelter.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Jenkin's Shelter</i></div>
<br />
It was at 2400 feet and there were skeeters galore, but the songbirds were in good voice and I lay contented in my hammock with the bug net zipped shut. I'd hiked 16.8 miles.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-16098009237704551582013-06-07T16:47:00.000-07:002013-06-08T07:48:15.232-07:00Nero day<br />
<div class="p1">
June 2 - Nero in the rainy woods</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Three people wandered into my camping area adjacent the shelter last night at 11 pm. Who hikes at 11 pm? Surely no one who wants to see what's around them. It took them until 12:30 to finally turn off their white headlamps which kept flashing into my hammock entrance only 30 yards away. Finally it was quiet again. </div>
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<br /></div>
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In the morning I packed up leisurely and it began to sprinkle as I set out but it stopped within a few minutes. The hike away from the shelter was an easy downhill and I watered up at the first stream I came to. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FD-LmgetMk4/UbJvJ20Y8_I/AAAAAAAAAco/D8a4bHqZ16M/s1600/ShrubFlower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FD-LmgetMk4/UbJvJ20Y8_I/AAAAAAAAAco/D8a4bHqZ16M/s320/ShrubFlower.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Beautiful fragrant flowering shrub, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalmia_latifolia" target="_blank">mountain laurel, kalmia latifolia</a>.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
But then it was uphill. And I mean straight up. The hill was called Lynn Camp Mountain and although it only went up 600 feet in 1.1 miles, it felt a lot steeper. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Very near the top, it began to rain. It had been a hot and sweaty climb but still I put on my rain jacket. I was a bit out of sorts from lack of sleep I think, and couldn't decide how to handle the rain. Do I walk? Do I string the tarp and wait it out? </div>
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<br /></div>
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My mind was made up for me at the very top. The trail came up to a flat spot with two perfect trees and then it plunged down precariously right away. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I've been telling people that the beauty of a hammock-tarp combination is that I can put up the tarp and then, staying dry beneath it, open my pack and then string up my hammock without getting anything else wet. But I'd never done it. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I've learned on this trip not to second guess myself, as things have been working out regardless of the thinking. So without hesitation, I dropped the pack and pulled out the tarp and stakes I keep in outside pockets and set it up. Then I put up the hammock and then I wondered what I was going to do. It was only 10 am. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7t3zuFZhleM/UbJvoCObWyI/AAAAAAAAAcw/OdbvD1A5hzY/s1600/NeroSetup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7t3zuFZhleM/UbJvoCObWyI/AAAAAAAAAcw/OdbvD1A5hzY/s320/NeroSetup.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Nero day set-up.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I decided to make coffee. And not Gronk coffee with floaty bits but real <a href="http://www.starbucks.ca/coffee/via" target="_blank">Starbucks Via</a>. Kind of expensive but worth it when you want a good instant cuppa joe. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I sipped coffee and I thought about staying put and taking a 'nero' day (I'd hiked 2.3 miles, so "near zero"). One of my mini goals on this trip was to take a zero day in the woods in the hammock instead of in a motel in town. This was my chance for that. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
An hour later, two female hikers appeared and one longingly looked at me sitting high and dry under my tarp rigged in porch mode. I was reading on my Kindle App. The older of the two, 60ish, said she had a sore ankle and wondered if she could come in out of the rain. It's not a big tarp but I said of course. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
She dropped her pack and pulled out her Tyvek ground cloth to sit on and spent about 20 minutes resting and having a snack. Her name was Sarah from NC and she was section hiking with her younger friend for several weeks. Then she donned her rain gear and pack and disappeared down the trail. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
The zero in the woods I had originally anticipated, was me lounging off the beaten track (read, stealth camping out of sight) and not on the doorstep of the A.T. High is where I was. Numerous soaking wet hikers came by and I swear some were glaring at me in my "house" and I felt quite the wimp for not being out there with them. But then I got over it! :)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KM-kFCqwILM/UbJwoCBIMdI/AAAAAAAAAdA/XWSGDrhGBiM/s1600/View.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KM-kFCqwILM/UbJwoCBIMdI/AAAAAAAAAdA/XWSGDrhGBiM/s320/View.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Not sure this view belongs here but it is so pretty, I figured it might have been a break on the rain at the top of the hill on this day. Ed.)</i></div>
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Sarah told me that the forecast was for 80% chance of rain during the day and then thunderstorms after 2 pm, so even when the rain slowed to a trickle and it got brighter, I stayed put. I could see fog down the mountain and I knew the rock and roots would be slippery. </div>
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I read. I meditated. I read some more and made notes in my pad to save my phone battery. I talked with 15 hikers. I napped then made dinner. I sat in my hammock and just watched. The rain stopped but then a fog rolled back in a while later and sure enough that was followed by a rain shower. Just like it had been an hour before. </div>
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I watched bugs the likes of which I'd never seen, walk to and fro through my camp. One coloured a yellow brown and, having wings and a longish abdomen, looking a lot like a dragon fly, bounced repeatedly on the ground using his butt end for the bounce. Boing, boing, repeatedly. ???</div>
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I watched an ant carrying an egg try to avoid a spider which gave pursuit. Don't know who won as they disappeared behind a rock. Life unfolding. </div>
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For a day with little hiking, it was very productive. A really good day. :)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-85207737268258967202013-06-07T16:29:00.001-07:002013-06-08T07:08:18.629-07:00Seeing the forest<br />
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June 1 - Seeing the forest for the trees </div>
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Last night's sleep wasn't the greatest. I was maybe two miles in a straight line from the interstate and it wasn't until it was dark that I heard how loud it was. And there were trains. It was like I heard them a half hour before they got to me and then it took a half hour for them to fade away. And then there would be another one. </div>
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There were also biting flies, both big'uns and littl'uns. I thought I'd seen no-see-ums before but last night's were the tiniest I'd ever seen. Their bites were tiny too but still annoying to contend with. At first, I put on a long sleeved shirt and stuck my legs under the quilt. But they came and bit me on the hands and face. Finally I had no choice but to rig the bug net. </div>
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So I wasn't in the best mood this morning. Which made me curse the cob webs that I had to keep wiping off my face every ten seconds as I hiked. Usually they're only this bad after a rainy night. But this was ridiculous. I tried using my poles to clear a path but they're so light it only blew them around and they got me anyway. There must've been a thousand of them. And why are they always at head height?</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1R7IvYPA3qM/UbJsGvivVtI/AAAAAAAAAcA/GIgqUxTgDEU/s1600/PrivateRofW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1R7IvYPA3qM/UbJsGvivVtI/AAAAAAAAAcA/GIgqUxTgDEU/s320/PrivateRofW.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My spirits were lifted when first one and then a second deer were startled by my approach and, letting out snorts, bounded swiftly and sure-footedly across the trail and deeper into the woods. </div>
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I have not seen much wildlife but I have forgotten to mention my run-in with a very upset ruffed grouse. I think it must've been a young mother as she was very small. I startled her and then she scared the crap out of me. She had her tail in fan mode and flapped her wings so hard she hovered above the ground. Then leaning forward she came at me making a lot of noise. It sound half angry and half terrified. Combined, it gave me the willies. As she came at me, I banged my sticks together in front of her and that made her hover off to the side where she regrouped and came at me again. And again. But then she changed her tactics and it looked like she was trying to make me follow her and now her cries sounded like forlorn resignations of having lost and it being the end of the world. I must have been near her nest. </div>
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There were some steep, and due to the humidity, sweaty climbs today. It was a tiring day. But I finally clued in to a way to help myself. </div>
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There are few suitable places to take a break along the trail. Rocks and fallen trees are few and far between. But trees are plentiful. I've been having meals sitting on the hammock, as it's easier than sitting on the ground and since I've been camping alone, there's one one to go eat a meal with anyway. </div>
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So today, I packed my hammock at the top of my pack and when I wanted a break, I pulled it out and strung it up. It only took two minutes. Perfect trees are not always available when you want them. But they show up more readily than a comfy rock. </div>
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Before the day was over and to add to the difficulty, there were more fields to contend with. You don't appreciate the green tunnel that is the A.T. until it is taken away and replaced with a hot sunny fields that go on forever. </div>
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And the day ended with a climb. Of course. But this time there was something else there - Trail Magic! From a church group. PB 'n J sandwiches and sodas. I had one of each. No one was there, so I tore out a notebook page and scribbled a thank you note. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kln8c-zX2U8/UbJsv8DDlmI/AAAAAAAAAcY/m-GZqMLdWQ0/s1600/TrailMagic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kln8c-zX2U8/UbJsv8DDlmI/AAAAAAAAAcY/m-GZqMLdWQ0/s320/TrailMagic.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was going to go further today but the body said no. So when I got to Knot Maul Shelter I called it quits. Only 12 miles. I wish I could walk further. The sun has lots of life left and if able, I could walk another three or four hours. But it is not to be. C'est la vie. </div>
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I found a Jiffy Peanut Butter cup on the trail. Must've fallen out of someone's pack. I stirred it into my Ramen and tuna for a Thai accent. It was good. :)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-2173091267666163362013-06-07T16:16:00.001-07:002013-06-07T16:16:14.949-07:00Wonderful day on the trail
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May 31 - Wonderful day on the trail.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PvB6rfmgSnc/UbJnJyqkp4I/AAAAAAAAAa8/o1Z4zmhMc7g/s1600/ATtrail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PvB6rfmgSnc/UbJnJyqkp4I/AAAAAAAAAa8/o1Z4zmhMc7g/s320/ATtrail.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The day began at McDonald's with a Sausage McMuffin with egg and a coffee. Surprisingly good coffee. Good Morning America was on the TV with closed captioning turned on, so I could follow the news while listening to (on the internet) <a href="http://www.cfra.com/Shows/Shows/Madely-in-the-Morning" target="_blank">Madely in the Morning on CFRA</a> with headphones to catch up with hometown news. I see Rob Ford and Mike Duffy are still making headlines. :)</div>
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Julia had suggested I make a donut out of moleskin for the blister surgery I performed the day before. I cut away be blisters-on-blisters remnants and put Polysporin on them and they had dried over night but pressing on the scab was a bit painful. </div>
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I had some callus pads that I had bought for the first set of blisters and they look like foam donuts so I used one of those. I taped it in place with my new waterproof tape and then taped up all the other problem areas as a precaution. </div>
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It did the job! After 13 miles and 6.75 hours of hiking there were NO new blisters! and no further damage to old ones. Bangarang. :)</div>
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There was one beautiful stretch of trail that followed a stream gently downhill for about a mile. The trail kept crossing and recrossing it. Very pleasant. There were some tough climbs but with my feet cooperating, they were more joy than chore today. Hope that attitude lasts!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M7WkagM-2P8/UbJnhXZm-wI/AAAAAAAAAbA/5bwDQ52m3go/s1600/Orchid.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M7WkagM-2P8/UbJnhXZm-wI/AAAAAAAAAbA/5bwDQ52m3go/s320/Orchid.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I wanted to hike as far as Atkins VA where I had to cross I-81 using an underpass. There's a restaurant there called The Barn than has a 16 oz Hiker Burger at a reasonable $7.99 hiker price. But I didn't want the burger as I had a bag full of food. What I wanted was to camp before I got there and then walk down for breakfast in the morning and have some real coffee. </div>
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I was hiking along when the trail left the woods at a county road right next to the Lindamood 1870s schoolhouse. A sign said Hikers Welcome. I went in and it looked just like the schoolhouse in Anne of Green Gables. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xtWi0p72nVs/UbJoF1PQXeI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/tGj7yz6U6uw/s1600/Schoolroom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xtWi0p72nVs/UbJoF1PQXeI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/tGj7yz6U6uw/s320/Schoolroom.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then the trail went across a field full of a crop that smelled like Cilantro. (I am not a fan.) And then I was back in the woods. And then I was back wading through one crop or another. And then the woods again. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuGbqOJUyTY/UbJnx-ZsE6I/AAAAAAAAAbI/PL8tAUKK1oU/s1600/Rhodos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuGbqOJUyTY/UbJnx-ZsE6I/AAAAAAAAAbI/PL8tAUKK1oU/s320/Rhodos.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Rhododendrons starting to bloom</i></div>
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And that's how I missed breakfast at The Barn. I was switch-backing between old apple trees and scrub brush when I realized I was out of the woods for good until I got down to the interstate. No trees big enough to hang my hammock. </div>
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I continued on down, realizing as well that I'd now be forced to climb back out of this huge gap and walk a lot further than I had wanted to go. If there were more fields on the other side, it would take even longer and be harder on the feet that were barking at me to stop already. </div>
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I crossed a railway track and looking to the right, saw something about 100 yards down the track that didn't compute. It looked like a motorcyclist still wearing his helmet dressed in full leathers and lying on his back beside the tracks. His limbs were akimbo like he'd been thrown from a train. </div>
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Sigh. I knew it was B.S. but I had to go look. I walked about 30 yards before I could see the 'helmet' was a white bucket thing which, from my perspective, was foreshortened and looked more round like a helmet. It had some black stuff inside and the open end, partially blocked by his 'upper body' which was just one of several black garbage bags stuffed with who knows what, made it look like a face shield on the helmet. </div>
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Mystery solved and no dead body to have to contend with, on I went on a pretty boardwalk that wove through a swamp. And then I was walking onto a rural highway and the interstate loomed ahead. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUCYF_KnjQU/UbJojL96VPI/AAAAAAAAAbY/exDIphHswn8/s1600/Boardwalk2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUCYF_KnjQU/UbJojL96VPI/AAAAAAAAAbY/exDIphHswn8/s320/Boardwalk2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/company/co0212869/" target="_blank">"What's that mean?"</a></i></div>
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It was a little more than a half mile before I was off pavement again and as feared, there were more fields. About two miles of them. But then I saw solid forest ahead, climbed the last stile of the day and picked two suitable trees 30 yards from the fence line. </div>
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It felt good to ditch the shoes. The tape was right where I had put it that morning. My problem may be solved. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qTdkdLB0Zvc/UbJpr0ehEcI/AAAAAAAAAbw/X3z5lmF4dfM/s1600/HomeMay31.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qTdkdLB0Zvc/UbJpr0ehEcI/AAAAAAAAAbw/X3z5lmF4dfM/s320/HomeMay31.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Later that night I woke up and spotted twinkling lights from the hammock. I got up to look over the top of the tarp towards the fence line and farm field - I'd rigged my open side toward the forest - and there they were by the thousand. Fireflies! Hundreds of little bright explosions went off every second from near the ground to up to more than 20 feet up. Fireflies doing their mating dance. Beautiful. It was like a Walt Disney movie. :)</div>
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It was a good day on many levels.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-75049002338769898322013-06-04T16:42:00.000-07:002013-06-05T05:01:48.843-07:00Gronk happy!He sent this self portrait on May 31. It was titled, "Having fun so far today!"<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3JGrZQj0EzY/Ua56XslDM_I/AAAAAAAAAao/OrFRMEEhyB8/s1600/GronkMay31.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3JGrZQj0EzY/Ua56XslDM_I/AAAAAAAAAao/OrFRMEEhyB8/s320/GronkMay31.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I heard from him for about one minute on Monday, as he had one bubble for a signal but only 40% battery left on his phone. He hopes to charge the phone on Wednesday at a store where he plans to resupply with food, and then keep hiking for Pearisburg VA, where he will then take a room and wash up and rest.<br />
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I am pretty sure by now, he has completed 500 miles, even taking into account the 75 that he missed. With that in mind:<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM0sTNtWDiI">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM0sTNtWDiI</a><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-29086399923383731612013-05-31T09:57:00.001-07:002013-05-31T14:53:35.726-07:00More sounds of the ATThis is the sound of falling rain, heard just a half an hour after the owl below:
<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F94826798" width="100%"></iframe>
Here is a bird, heard at 8:40 p.m. on May 20:
<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F94826126" width="100%"></iframe>
Here is an owl, heard at 5:07 a.m. on May 20 (<i>you may have to adjust the volume, it could be a bit faint. I rearranged the order of the sounds to put the faintest last. It can be shock to the system, to have the rain suddenly blare from your speakers! Sorry.</i>)
<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F94826663" width="100%"></iframe>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-89148010937840734712013-05-30T10:21:00.001-07:002013-05-30T10:21:30.476-07:00Walking mindfully
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May 29 - Trying to walk mindfully</div>
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It ain't easy. That's all I can say. Somehow I thought walking in the woods would be meditative. And is when it's flat, lol. Still I tried. When I found my mind wandered I'd bring it back to the trail. But then it was off again. </div>
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I discovered too that I like hiking with others. I hiked alone and camped alone this whole five day stretch and while it was a nice change of pace, I missed sharing it (especially the hard bits) with someone who could commiserate. And I found that hanging in my hammock with nothing to do but be in the moment was more conducive to meditating in nature than hiking with a pack strapped on you. Hmm. </div>
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I woke up at 6 a.m. and after letting my brain work itself up to speed, got up. Actually getting out of the hammock is the most difficult thing about hammock hanging. It's just way too comfortable. I can hang (and have hung) for 12 hours without issue. I can't do that in a tent as every part that touches the mattress is hurting after only 8 hours. And in a tent, my head never rests in the proper position for some reason. </div>
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The one thing I noticed when I got up was how damp my down quilts were. It was very humid with the rain and everything was damp, clothes, too. And I was dirty inside my clothes. The humidity and warmer temps have made me stickier more quickly than in previous weeks. Not good when you actually offend yourself. </div>
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I only had nine miles to go so I wasn't in a hurry but six weeks of learning how to pack things up efficiently put me on the trail in record time. </div>
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I think I've changed my mind about PUDs again. They're for the freaking birds! The hike today was 50-50 good and bad. The good parts were nice forests with pine needle-covered trails and easy walking, even uphill with a grade that made me sweat. The bad were rocky outcroppings the trail maintainers thought would be fun to have hapless hikers hump over. They did me no favours. </div>
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The strange occurrence of the day was when I crossed a road and there was a guy 50 meters up the trail on the other side, just standing there. He didn't have a pack. He said hello as I passed waited a minute and then began following me playing a recorder! He played well but he kept coming for hundreds of meters and since it was out of a ga,p it was all uphill. It wasn't banjo music but it was a bit strange. He finally stopped turned and headed back down. I sort of wished I'd asked him about it. Walking, playing meditation perhaps?</div>
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Finally arrived at Partnership Shelter, the Ritz of trail shelters. A log house with matching privy - a privy that not only has complete floor to ceiling walls mind you, but, get this ... a door!</div>
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It also has a shower. And that's why no one wants to leave. There were people all over the place and it was a party atmosphere. I saw some people I had not seen since Georgia. They're skipping around and not thru-hiking.</div>
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I walked on past to the Mt Rogers HQ building where I recharged my dead phone at an outlet behind a stuffed bear. Later on a father-daughter team showed up outside where I was sitting and he complained about the hangers on at the shelter. They were planning on staying the night but not with a bunch of stoners there and he was upset the rangers didn't enforce the one night rule. </div>
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There was a local transit shuttle that was to make a run to the town of Marion six miles away but it was three hours later. I put on my town shirt and began asking visitors for a ride to town. The third guy said yes. </div>
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<i>Dehydrated peanut butter!?</i></div>
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Turns out he owns a new business in town that sells food and beverages and all sorts of stuff, a lot of it art related, including pre-poured ceramics that you buy and then hand paint yourself. He then fires them for you. I mentioned my parents made pottery for a living and he showed me a warehouse full of moulds he acquired but had not put to use thus far. There were close to 1000 of them. All I saw was enough "stuff" to drive you insane. I hope he knows what he's getting into. Ceramics is labour intensive. :/</div>
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<i>Jim and some of his ceramic moulds.</i></div>
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I don't know what to do about the foot issues I'm having. I've read what Pat's document said and I've tried May's suggestion about a lube. And I've been reading my Kindle book, Fixing Your Feet. </div>
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New blisters appear beside the old ones and old ones become new ones. It's only a problem after some hours and seems to be related to sweating and higher temps. I can feel my feet are hot. But I can't stop, peel off socks and tape, wipe with alcohol (so the new tape sticks), retape and don fresh socks - every two hours. Can I?</div>
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So maybe I need to take several days off and just heal? But then what? I must admit I'm a bit gun shy now. And to make it worse now I've developed shin and ankle pains on my right leg which I think are from changing my gait because of blisters on the right heel. </div>
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Don't mean to belabour the blister thing but it's the centre of my attention now. Not sure what comes next. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-3157645389494005912013-05-29T18:43:00.000-07:002013-05-29T18:43:28.668-07:00Easy trail
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May 28 - Nice temps, easy trail</div>
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Warm night in the hammock. I was up and on the trail early with another beautiful day beckoning. This was the hiking I think I expected. Warm sunny days and a dry and easy trail. Oh there were ups and downs, there was rock and root and some mud but all in all it was not as painful as some other days. </div>
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Strange noises during the night. I couldn't fall asleep for some reason until near midnight. It was eerily dark too and the wind was rubbing and banging tree branches together and they creaked and moaned. I thought maybe it was the Blair Witch come to pay me a visit. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vd76tvka-us/Uaarufi3aWI/AAAAAAAAAZg/z8jP9lyNJK0/s1600/DancingTrees.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vd76tvka-us/Uaarufi3aWI/AAAAAAAAAZg/z8jP9lyNJK0/s320/DancingTrees.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Then around 3:30 a.m. I was awakened by the most God-awful noise. No idea what manner of creature it was. It might have been a bird as there was an owl booting in a strange way at the same time. A territorial fight? I grabbed my iPhone to record it. I've heard so many strange noises at night I've taken to leaving the voice recorder as the last app used so I'm ready when they present themselves. No luck this time, though, as whatever it was was gone.</div>
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These noises are not frightening for some reason and I think it's because I accept strangeness in strange surroundings. Instead of being frightening, they're merely a curiosity. </div>
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I hiked farther than planned thanks to a re-taping of the feet and a change of socks with a good dose of Gold Bond. I watered up at the shelter I had planned to stop at but decided to head on. It had some good camping options but the house flies at last night's shelter made me head on in the hope of avoiding a similar onslaught. </div>
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I hung my hammock far away from the shelter last night but the flies found me anyway. After dinner I lowered the tarp wings and after packing things up came back to find 30 of the buggers in the space between the netting on the hammock top and the tarp itself 6 inches above it. I shooed them all out and got into the hammock but they came back and I was forced to listen to them banging their heads repeatedly into the tarp for the next two hours. </div>
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So I walked on for about a half hour when the sky grew dark and rain drops began falling. I climbed a slope and strung first tarp and then hammock. Once the tarp was up I was able to work out of the rain. I got everything ready and then made dinner sitting in my hammock with the tarp rigged in porch mode as the heavens opened and the thunder boomed. A real A.T. moment. :)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pbkfF0de4nM/UaasDfKauxI/AAAAAAAAAZo/IxU1mpr7dm4/s1600/RamenTuna.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pbkfF0de4nM/UaasDfKauxI/AAAAAAAAAZo/IxU1mpr7dm4/s320/RamenTuna.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ramen noodles and tuna dinner.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTJeEbQCUjo/UaasZXaFcAI/AAAAAAAAAZw/JJf2HSLf3hA/s1600/FuelBurn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTJeEbQCUjo/UaasZXaFcAI/AAAAAAAAAZw/JJf2HSLf3hA/s320/FuelBurn.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Burning off the excess fuel. No baby oak trees were harmed making this dinner :)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gQ41i7iB0PM/Uaasp70pFhI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/RlKa1Fcboho/s1600/RainHang.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gQ41i7iB0PM/Uaasp70pFhI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/RlKa1Fcboho/s320/RainHang.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My set up before the rain began in earnest.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyUck2wuB0TmTEUE7xSlvn4YXRxGzH3r_R-HqXaa4hgLHCWvn0lVAKUtvEKonzEM8XwdavFC5tmJL2AK_6XuQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Distance: 15.8 miles</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-45795150671892452402013-05-29T18:25:00.002-07:002013-05-29T19:18:31.335-07:00Ponies and trail magic<br />
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May 27 - Ponies and Trail Magic!</div>
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Chilly night. Maybe the last one? Once I'm over Mount Rogers, it ought to be smooth sailing temperature wise. I decided to make a hot breakfast followed by coffee. I've lately only been having a Cliff Bar or cold oatmeal right out of the package with a bit of water. Believe it or not, it actually works - tastes good and it's fast and there's no cleanup. </div>
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I taped up the potential problem areas on my feet and then fixed up my two remaining open blisters like the book says, with moleskin with a hole cut in the middle where the blister is, and then filled it in with a free sample of zinc oxide I managed to yogi back on Damascus. And then taped over that. The zinc oxide is supposed to dry the blister up. We'll see. They're both on the heels so I still have slippage issues with the shoes. </div>
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Then I was off for my morning constitutional which I seem to need only every second morning (is this more info than needed, lol?). I moved away from my camp and the trail and found a nice log amongst a small stand of red Trilliums to hold onto during the squat and wondered, as I dropped my pants, if the A.T. might actually loop back and was closer than I thought it was. It's a snaky trail. </div>
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No sooner had I assumed the position, wearing my bright orange puffy jacket no less, than I heard voices. Boy Scouts. Lots of them. Thankfully I was low enough I could only see their heads 50 meters or so away. They kept me pinned down for a while though. :)</div>
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The climb up Mount Rogers and then up into the Grayson Highlands was difficult and took longer than expected because of the terrain. But the ponies more than made up for it! There was a bunch with some babies at the first shelter. One came up to me and licked my calf with a rough tongue, obviously enjoying the salty taste of a sweaty hiker. And they must know about salty hikers, as it happened a second time a few hours later. </div>
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I changed my mind about PUDs today. <i>[Editor note: PUDs are "pointless ups and downs."]</i> The trail was still full of Memorial Day day hikers and I realized that this is their trail and not ours. Thru hikers and even section hikers are the intruders. The trail was conceived for those who live near it, to enjoy on weekends like this one and how boring for them if it was only a nature trail meandering through easy terrain. Instead, the designers have made it challenging for them. To long distance hikers it might be tedious to go around in circles and always up and down in the most difficult terrain but that's our lot. </div>
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The only down side today was getting close up and personal with several families having personal difficulties. I heard a lot of harsh language directed towards children and saw one slapped in anger. Being a parent is difficult. I was behind one group and heard the father say no matter what he did it wasn't enough, they always wanted more and be was sick and tired of it. I wasn't sure exactly who he was talking to. He had a wife, two kids and two dogs in tow and was unaware I was coming up. But the wife and little boy saw me and they were embarrassed. Families and holiday weekends. They ought to kept separate. </div>
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Finally got to a place called The Scales which was the bottom of the last climb of the day. I really wanted to get over this 5000 footer and back down below 4500 feet before my feet gave out and I'd be stuck in the cold again. And there it was on the fence, a sign. "Trail Magic"!</div>
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There was a tent, a truck with the tail gate full of bags of stuff and a smoking BBQ! Puddle Jumper and Slayer, 2012 thru-hikers, had driven 3.5 hours to do some Memorial Day trail magic for hikers. There were burgers and hot dogs, cold drinks and Gatorade, chips and Doritos. A real feed. It really was wonderful. </div>
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I hiked up and over the last bump in the road and dropped 1000 feet to Old Orchard Shelter at 4080 feet. It's now 7:30 p.m. and still 20C out there. </div>
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I really enjoyed the hike today. I enjoyed my wild camp and I'm glad I stopped when I felt like it, when I was ready. Right here, thank you very much. </div>
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Today's hike was 13.9 miles and took about 8 hours. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397490045400902950.post-19492540016981902882013-05-29T18:13:00.003-07:002013-05-29T18:13:31.640-07:00Mountain climbing
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May 26 - mountain climbing</div>
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Blisters on heels were an issue again. Terrain was nice except for the rockiness up Whitetop Mountain.</div>
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Buzzard Rock was an interesting place. Hung out there a while out of the wind and tended to feet and changed socks. </div>
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Decided to stop for the day when I was tired and knew I could not make it over Mount Rogers and part way down other side to camp. Did not want to be stuck on top at 5500 feet as tonight will be cold again. I'm stealth camping at just under 4900 feet on the south side. It's 5:30. The chores are done and I've had dinner. The temp is 16C and dropping. There's a cool wind blowing and the sky is overcast. I've been told tomorrow should be another fine day and no rain is expected. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601743913656464611noreply@blogger.com0