Blogs from West Virginia, United States, North America - page 14

OD Much nicer day than yesterday. Not as many hills and much more dirt than stone. There were only nine miles instead of 10. The day was overcast until about 3PM. We were walking in the fog through leafless trees silouted against the gray. We got some real great photos and made it to the shelter at 4PM. We had plenty of time to pull all the tent stuff out and let it dry. Plenty of time to cook and enjoy dinner while the sun was up. We still have about an hour of light left and I'm sitting at a bench in front of the shelter cathcing up on yesterday and today's journal entries. We are getting stronger every day and CC's ability to consume more than her normal food portions is getting better ... read more

OD Well the first full, sort of, day on the trail. We both slept well last night. It did rain early in the morning. Woke up just long enough to have it register and see the sun was not even close to coming up, then pull the sleeping bag closer around my head and lights out. We weren't too awful sore this morning and it did not take long to get the kinks out. There was some grumbling at breakfast. I dug through my food bag and found there was no coffee, I got it in the re-supply boxes but not my pack. So there was a bit of a caffeine withdrawal headache most of the day. Only three more days and I can get java again! Less people on the trail today. Saw a ... read more

OD First we would like to send our heart felt thanks to Steve and Nate Yalle. They got up at 0400 to pick us up and be on the road by 0500. Both were real troopers and made getting to Harpers Ferry a real pleasure. Last night CC and I decided not to spend tonight in town as the price is quite steep. So much for well thought out plans. It took seven and a half hours to make the drive and we arrived at ATC HQ at 1230. After the requisite photo and placement in the 07 logbook we were off. Steve had his video camera out doing some shots, said he would try to get it to Matt for addition to the page. Weather could not have been better, low 60s and a ... read more

TUESDAY 1/2/07 We’ve just finished a week with Andy’s brother’s family in Piney View, WV (near Beckley). We arrived on Christmas Eve day with Kevin in tow. The prior week we had spent in Andover catching up with dentists, doctors, hair dressers, friends and family. Kevin and Heidi arrived on the 21st just in time to celebrate her 31st birthday. Andy Wall joined the crowd on Friday night in Boston. On Saturday, Heidi & Andy headed north to Maine and the three of us headed South. Our week here in West Virginia was unseasonably warm and allowed for some great walks and short local hikes. We even worked in a trip to John’s cabin on the New River. The rest of the time was spent with lively Apples to Apples games, euchre, and Blokus. In typical ... read more

Hawks Nest State Park is the West Virgnia’s version of visiting the New River Gorge without the assistance of the National Park Service. Set amidst an inn and banquet facility that more resembles a stark and cubic university administration building, the restaurant overlooks the gorge and a tramway that shuttles visitors to the river below for jetboat tours on the New River. Between the state park and Carol’s old high school near Winona, the scenery rarely changes from hilly mountain passes, rough and austere mobile homes, and a Baptist church about every 400 yards, or so it seems. “It’s the Bible Belt here”, remarks Carol. “I saw a Catholic church back near Glen Ferris.” “Yeah. The Italians (long “I” in her pronunciation) came here to work in the mines. See all the stone work on the ... read more