Hi everyone! I hope that everyone’s enjoying the blog. I’m so grateful that people actually care about and read this. Sorry I’m so behind; as the mileages have become longer, it’s gotten tougher to find time to write. I do journal every night, so I have source material to go back to when it’s time to write this. Behind as I may be, it will all get written eventually.

Current status update: I’m at Mile 1364, almost done with New Jersey! I passed the halfway point about two weeks ago. Last night, Double H, Huckleberry, and I went to the famous Warwick Drive In, which allows hikers to camp for free and watch movies! We saw the new Indiana Jones. I’m currently at a laundromat here in Warwick, and I plan to do my next resupply in New York City!

6/10 Mile 895.1 – Ivy Creek

Had a chill first breakfast in the Shennies, then got hiking. Fun rockhopping up to a panoramic view just off the trail. Huckleberry enjoyed the challenge.

The Guide didn’t indicate campsites or anything near Ivy Creek, but that was our plan anyway, thinking that surely there’d be something nearby, and what do you know? Three good spots right by a nice cold creek to soak our feet in and lull us to sleep. We made a fire ring and had dinner around a lovely campfire. We were all feeling sort of silly tonight, which was a lot of fun. The laughing, joking, and chatter kept up once we were in our tents as well, since we were all close enough to each other to hear, and there was no one nearby to disturb.

6/11-6/12 Mile 908.5

Family Week commences! We hiked 15 miles or so filled with anticipation, and guess who met us on the trail at the end! My Dad came and picked us up and drove us back to the Airbnb he had rented months before. My guess about where I’d be wasn’t tooooo far off, and would’ve been pretty close if not for noro. SO good to see him! We resupplied at Walmart along the drive and got some additional goodies since we’d be hanging out for a couple days. When we arrived, Jen was making her amazing meatloaf, along with mashed potatoes and salad. Perfect post-trail meal (and Gwen’s first time having meatloaf). After dinner, we spent some time relaxing by the fire and making smores. Got to emphasize how great it was to see my Dad, Jen, Kendyl, and Adam.

We had a slow, relaxed morning and biscuits and gravy for breakfast, then made our way over to Harper’s Ferry to see it and do the touristy things. It was a lot of fun! It was rainy, but most of the exhibits are inside, so we got to beat the crowds. The whole town of Harper’s Ferry is a National Historical Park; essentially a museum town for Civil War-era history. Doing all of this with my Dad, Jen, the kids, and Gwen, Alison, and Huckleberry was a wonderful time; I’m so glad everyone got to meet. Before heading back, we got some coffee and ice cream.

Upon returning home, we had a restful evening. The sun came back and Gwen, Alison, Huckleberry and I relaxed on the porch for a while, doing the occasional trail related chore. We had pizza for dinner and watched Talledega Nights. It was actually both Gwen’s and my first time seeing it! What a fun movie.

For a while after, Gwen, Alison and I laid on our pads outside and talked and stargazed. We saw a couple shooting stars, and even a train of Starlink satellites making its way across the sky.

6/13 Mile 914.9 – Baldface Mountain

Gwen, Ali and I (mostly Gwen and Ali, thanks!) made breakfast this time: eggs, bacon, fruit. A lot better than we’re used to on trail. Since the weather was better, today was to be the outside day. We went back to Harper’s Ferry and did two hikes: first to see Jefferson’s rock, a sort of rock podium with a beautiful view of the Shenandoah. Then, we crossed the old rail bridge and hiked a bit of the Maryland Heights trail. Pretty surreal to be literally walking part of the AT with my Dad. We had a lovely meal at Almost Heaven, and the day, of course, wouldn’t be complete without more ice cream. This time, it was Gwen and Ali’s treat, which was very sweet of them.

Eventually, it was time for my Dad to take us the two hours back to trail. We wanted to hang out all day, and figured we’d just night hike until we got tired. We said our goodbyes. Everyone had had an amazing time together and really enjoyed getting to meet and talk, which I was so glad for. The three of us hikers had so much fun and got so much rest, and I’m so grateful to my Dad and Jen for making this happen. Love you both!

After returning us to the Trailhead, I had one more difficult goodbye (for a few more months). My Dad was there to see me off for the second time, which was lovely. We started hiking around 10pm or so, so we only did about 6 miles before we were very ready for bed. We took turns telling stories during the night hike.

6/14 Mile 935.9 – Little Stony Man Cliffs

A very gray morning turned into a beautiful, golden evening. I grabbed some earbuds from my backpack when my Dad visited, so this was the first time I listened to music on trail! I definitely won’t do it all the time, as the forest sounds are really nice as well, but sometimes an album just really sets the correct vibe for the moment. Today it was Colter Wall’s self-titled album. Really seemed to match with the hike. Alison and I reconnected in the afternoon, and hiked together through golden hour, which was extra gorgeous today for some reason. We found Gwen near one of the “Waysides” that the Shenandoah mountains are known for on trail – a trailside restaurant/gift shop that many hikers frequent instead of carrying dinners. We knew a beautiful overlook was coming up, so we had the bright idea to grab a bottle of wine, which a server was kind enough to open and recork for us. We made our way the final miles or so from the wayside to the cliffs, set up our tents, and shared our wine as we watched the sun set. Then, we all made dinner, still on the cliffs. One of those evenings that really makes you grateful to be out here.

6/15 Mile 957.9 – Between Little Hogback and Gravel Spring

Had breakfast on the beautiful overlook where we’d had dinner the night before. Gwen’s Mom FaceTimed! She was in Paris in preparation for her flight to the US to hike with us. It was kinda surreal to see her walking around in front of the Louvre while I was sipping coffee on top of a mountain.

We each did some solo hiking this morning, then Gwen and I convened at a lunch spot. We hiked the rest of the afternoon together, then found a spot with potential that just needed some cleanup work. We cleared some sites and a fire ring area next to a log that would make a good bench. Yet another wonderful fireside conversation. I ended up the last one by the fire finishing my bedtime tea, then tucked in as well.

6/16 Mile 972.1 – Front Royal, VA

I made the switch from my rain jacket back to the classic Frogg Toggs poncho (what I used on the Ozark Trail), and it really got tested this morning! We filled water at a spring near the first shelter after our campsite, then continued on; soon it was pouring. It was a fun sort of rain, and the poncho worked well! The motivation for the switch was to keep my lower half drier to avoid chafing, which worked.

Exited Shenandoah National Park, another milestone. We hitchhiked into town with Bryan, thanks! I was so impressed by the “Basecamp” hiker lounge run by the outfitter/brewery! It was a sort of “backstage” feeling area between the outfitter and brewery, with free backpack lockers, showers, and laundry! So all our stuff was safe in there, and we could all pop over to the brewery while our clothes washed. Also fascinating to see the wall filled with trail names of folks we know who are just ahead of us.

The beer was great, as were the conversations. It was beautiful and sunny on the patio at the brewery, and Spice, Suits, Gwen, Double H and I had a lovely time.

Next up was Thai food at the restaurant in the downstairs of our hotel! It had been awhile, and it definitely satisfied a craving. Then, we hustled over to C&C Frozen Treats to grab some of their amazing house-made ice cream before they closed. Caught a few songs at some live music we encountered along the walk back, behind a barbecue place. Finally, back to the hotel where I fell asleep after about 7 minutes of The Mighty Ducks. Lovely town day, and all after hiking 17 miles!