http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/OD-and-CCs-Long-Walk/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from OD and CCs Long Walk en-us Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:48:43 +0000 Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:48:43 +0000 We are not on the trail right now however I do travel near the AT while driving my 18 wheeler. I was lucky enough to have a layover night near Unionville NY. While on the trail this year CC and I spent a wonderful night at The Mayor's House. He provides hikers a shower laundry and two super meals asking nothing in return other than to share your hike with him. I popped in with a bag o http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/New-York/New-Paltz/blog-451490.html We spent the night sleeping in the back of our SUV parked at the trail head. The wind blew most of the night with some rain. We were up around 630 and started moving things between vehicles. Breakfast was to be taken at Shawrsquos Lodging House a sort of hiker hostel in Monson. We were told last night that this was the place to find out the latest trail conditions and a 7 all you can http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/New-York/blog-422076.html The nightly storm rolled through sometime after midnight. This morning the river has not changed level even with the nights rain. CC was stressed over the crossing this morning and did not eat much. It will be a quick trip to the bridge and the truck as rain is in the forecast with the barometer falling steeply since going to bed last night. The crossing went off without a hitch besides CC almost http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Maine/blog-422072.html What a storm rolled through last night. We were thankful we had a roof over our heads not just a tent. We slept in a bit and didn't roll out until 630. During breakfast we talked about how to do todayrsquos walk. 8.1 11.8 or 19.6 miles the middle one was a tent site. We chose to do a short day and then do 15.1 miles tomorrow to the vehicle. We have done two big mile day in a row. We can't mak http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Maine/blog-422065.html A much better nights sleep we were the only ones in the shelter and the drone of the falls along with some rain made a great night. We were the first folks up this morning. I started breakfast by 545 and we were on the trail by 7. The trail the past two days has been relatively flat and smooth. There have been plenty of roots mud and water to dodge but still okay.The first shelter today was 11 http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Maine/blog-422062.html What a lousy night The trail work crew was loud most of the night. They might be considerate to the trees and plants but didn't care about the people who were sleeping near them. I got to sleep about 2AM even with earplugs some of the voices still cut through. We were up by 530 doing the cooking and packing. The work crew was up about 6. One of the young men came over and apologized. We had http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Maine/blog-422060.html Rain overnight was not real bad. The fly was wet but everything else was dry. There ended up being 13 people at the shelter last night. By morning there were six tents pitched in the woods. We were up by 6 trying to pack inside the tent without getting wet. We managed well enough. Breakfast went smooth and the rain all but stopped by the time we were done. The trail went almost straight down this http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Maine/blog-422057.html The night was quiet until the rain started in around 230. The wind blew hard the trees swayed with a noise like ocean waves on the beach. We were up by 6 and cooking breakfast praying the rain would stop. Packing up we opted for full rain gear. 730 we rolled out and up the trail. The rain and wind were so bad this morning the camera was packed inside my pack. There were a few times when we wa http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Maine/blog-422053.html We had a good nights sleep without snoring mice or rain. One of the guys was up by 5AM packing up and heading for breakfast in town. We got up at 530 and hit the trail by 645. The trail statred up as normal. Bug levels are up with all the standing water. Chemical Warfare is in full swing. Problem being sweat and rain washing the stuff off and the bugs knowing just where to attack CC has http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Maine/blog-422047.html Up early and breakfast in the restaurant and on the road by 645. We made Abol Campground by 11 and were surprised to hear it would not cost anything to leave our SUV parked there until we can walk back to get it. In the car and off to Monson. We stopped at the Fire Dept to ask about the parking area at the trail crossing. While there I managed to score two pieces of radio gear for 1 from t http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Maine/blog-417441.html The vehicles pulled out of the drive at 8AM. After a couple stops in Watertown we made the interstate by 9. We went to Albany then north on I87 to Glensfalls and angled into Vermont. We picked up our last resupply box our daughter had mailed to Killington VT by 3PM. We decided to drive as far as we could before dark and made it to Farmington ME. We have rigged our SUV as a camper so we http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Maine/Farmington/blog-417438.html We managed to get lots done while home. Yard work house work and even got down to Rochester NY to see one of our grandsons go from Kindergarten to First Grade. The weather was beautiful and we hated to see all those great days go without walking. We needed the break and to recharge our batteries. All our gear that had problems has been corrected. Primis sent me a new pot as the coating insi http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/New-York/Depauville/blog-417436.html The rain stopped just before dawn. We were concerned about our ability to cross the stream between us and the trail. All the rain in the past few days has caused all the water levels to rise. Looks like we will have the morning to get out before the rain starts again. The plan is to walk out to the next road and get picked up about 330 and get taken to Manchester Center where we will get pick http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Vermont/blog-412570.html We made the right choice of staying here last night. I found that flat spot for CC to be in the tent safe from all the creatures that roam the night. I had a nice spot in the shelter which was mice free all night long. Best is the thing was water tight. Rain started up about 3AM along with wind. I thought CC might retreat into the shelter but she toughed it out all night in the tent. She was http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Vermont/blog-412568.html A quiet night had by all. A light breeze fluttered the fly off and on all night. Birds gave us a wakeup call about 530. Packing and eating went smooth and we rolled out onto the trail at 730. Par for the course there was an 800' climb first thing. We are still walking in the thick black mud called the AT here. Seems the trail has become just another stream running down the mountains and mud http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Vermont/blog-412567.html Another night of restful sleep under a roof. Up by 630 making breakfast and packing the packs again. Rob loaded us into the van at 830 and off we went back to Mt Graylock. Walking the 17 miles yesterday was a great idea. A day off and still made good miles. The drive up the mountain went well. One of the new guys was slack packing back to town the 17 miles rode with us. 10AM we were shoulde http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Vermont/blog-412565.html This morning we are going to Slack Pack. Rob is taking us to the top of Mt Graylock to drop us off. We will walk back to his house with only daypacks. We carry our lunch water and our rain jackets. It is a different thing for us walking without our big packs. It is easier on our bodies and we can move quicker. The day was overcast as we got out of the van. After a stop at the restroom we h http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Massachusetts/blog-409470.html A well deserved day off. Only three miles yesterday into town. We got most things done yesterday. CC had her hair done I got a haircut laundry and showers made everything smell good. Rob who owns the house we are staying is a great host. He took us out for a fine supper last night and took us around town today to get things done. Most of the day we lounged around resting. Tonight Rob made all http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Massachusetts/blog-409468.html A long quiet restful night. Sun pouring into the front of the shelter woke us around 6AM. Oatmeal and coffee then pack up. One of the shelter caretakers had walked up to bring toilet paper to the privy nice not to have to use your own. We headed for town shortly after he arrived. Walking down the trail some 30 minutes later I spotted a couple of mink romping across the forest floor headed o http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Massachusetts/blog-409467.html What a perfect night to be sleeping indoors. Not long after arriving at the cabin and being welcomed by the caretaker Nancy the rain started. It continued all night long unabated with high winds. I'm not sure how much rain fell but the trail returned to being the Appalachian Stream for most of the day. There were pancakes maple syrup and hot coffee for breakfast as promised Each hiker had fiv http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Massachusetts/blog-409466.html