Better Late Than Never!

I wanted to make it to Vermont before Father's Day, ended up just two days short. Sorry about the delay Dad, I kept on getting into towns while the libraries were closed.

Happy (Belated) Father's Day! 

Sad News From Maine...

Parkside at New Hampshire/Maine state line.

This is Parkside, he started hiking February 17th. Parkside was the 11th thru-hiker to pass thru the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters in Harpers Ferry, WV. He drowned on June 16th in Pierce Pond, just 11 days from summiting Mount Katahdin. I never met Parkside and only knew him from the trail registers. It was very shocking news to here of his passing. His ashes were carried from Pierce Pond to Katahdin by his friends he was hiking with. He summited yesterday.

My heart goes out to all those that hiked with Parkside, his friends and family back home.

Rest In Peace Parkside

It's cold and wet in Connecticut!

It's been a quick run through New Jersey, New York and today I hiked into my 10th state (of 14!) Over the last 8 days I have averaged over 21.7 miles a day. On June 5th I hike 31.3 miles, my longest single day of hiking in my entire life.

Myself at Gillette Stadium - June 2, 2012

After the Fire match that I attended last weekend Jeff Crandall, the Chicago Fire's team writer, did a story about me. I saw it for the first time just a few moments ago. The quote from Frank Klopas about my me/my hike is beyond flattering. Klopas is a proven legend of the Chicago Fire and it means so much to read these words from him...

“This is a special kid,” said the Fire head coach. “Getting to meet him, I’m blown away by his drive and character. Over and over you see our supporters behind us in the stands but also finding ways to help others through charity. I’m impressed with Matt’s dedication and proud to know he’s on our side.”

The entire article can be read here.

Well the library is closing up shop very soon. I hope to meet up with my Aunt Jane and Uncle Andrew in Massachusetts in the coming days. If the stars align I might even be able arrange a visit with my Dad in Bennington, Vermont!

All-in-all I'm in great spirits and very happy to be reunited with my hiking buddy JC! Happy Trails, folks!

We travel land and sea...

Left to Right - Tony, Freddy, Casey, Frank and myself

It has been a very exciting last few days. I got a new pair of Merrell shoes, that my feet are loving -the previous pair had a rip large enough that my big two could pop out! My pack size/weight has gotten even smaller. I switched from a ULA Catalyst to a ULA Circuit. Some of my beloved Fire fans picked me up in Wind Gap, PA yesterday. We are in Massachusetts and will be attending tonight's Chicago v. New England match. Hopefully the Fire can walk away with a good result tonight! Regardless it has been great catching up with some of my friends and seeing some of the sights in Boston today. My time away from the trail will end tomorrow and I hope to cross the Delware Water Gap and enter New Jersey my 8th state so far.

I'm just past the half way point both on the AT and in my fundraising efforts. Please donate today!

May 15-20

Hello!

Last week I (intern Shelby) went out to Pennsylvania with one of my grade school friends, Hannah, to pay a visit to our favorite hiker, Matt!

We picked him and JC up less than half a mile away from the Mason-Dixon line between Maryland and Pennsylvania, at PenMar Park. We all spent the night at a hotel in Gettysburg, and after the men-folk hiked for a bit we met up at the Antietam Shelter in Pennsylvania, where Matt, Hannah and I spent the evening.


After that the three of us all headed down to the annual hiker festival, Trail Days, in Damascus, VA. Of course Matt made us take a slight detour at the James River Bridge, so that he could jump off a few more times.


Trail Days was great! Matt got some of his gear repaired for free by a variety of vendors, and won a free pair of Birkenstocks! He also got to meet Gene Epsy, the second man to ever thru-hike the AT. After Trail Days was over Matt and I parted ways, so that he could do two days of trail maintenance by participating in Tennessee Eastman Hiking Clubs's Hard Core (TEHC,) while I returned to Illinois.

We also took a side trip while in Virginia to the Grayson Highlands, to see wild ponies.

It was an awesome trip, but now I can't wait until I get to see Matt again! 

--Intern Shelby

Matt jumping into the James River

Matt and Gene Epsy

 Wild ponies in the Grayson Highlands

 It's MY mountain 

Hiker Parade during Trail Days!

May 9-13

I had a great time in Washington, DC. JC and I both took four zeros off. JC met up with his girlfriend for a while. I was visiting my childhood friend/Camp Benson Staffer, Tom Stowe. He works for Senator Kohl of Wisconsin. He also gives mighty fine tour of the our Nation's Capitol. It was great to kick back and relax. Being in an urban environment is such a contrast to the woods I've lived in the last two and half months. While in DC I visited the Arlington National Cemetery, Lincoln Memorial, WWII Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Korean Memorial, National Museum of the American Indian, American History Museum, Capitol Building, and the National Arboretum. I was most excited to see the Dr. King Memorial. It was good to see my donation to the memorial in person. Below are a collection of my tourist photos.

Arlington Amphitheater

JFK's Grave.

Hiker Trash

Lincoln Memorial

In the footsteps of Dr. King.

Classic tourist photo

Vietnam Memorial

Vietnam Memorial

WWII Memorial

WWII Memorial & Washington Memorial

"Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope."

MLK Memorial

Korean War Memorial. This was the best image I shot while in D.C.

National Museum of the American Indian.

Tom and I at the Capitol

JC and I at the Georgia statue in the Capitol Building

JC and I at the Maine statue in the Capitol Building

The former Supreme Court Chambers. It was in this court room that the Dread Scott case was argued.

National Arboretum

Tom shreddin' down Kalmia Ave.

Never carved in Crocs before...

May 2-8th

Highlights from May 2-8th. JC, Bugger and I did a 30 something miles on the North Fork of the Shenandoah instead of hiking. This is called Aqua Blazing and is a recognized form of travel by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). We also made it to Harpers Ferry, WV home of the ATC. Harpers is known as the midway point of the Trail, even though it is almost 100 miles south of the actual midway point!

The man on the left, Brooklyn, was an amazing Trail Angel! He picked us up and took us into Elkton, VA so we could start our Aqua Blazing. He also took us for a short resupply. Thanks so much Brooklyn! L-R Brooklyn, Bugger, JC.

Bugger, JC and their vessel Tree Hugger.

One of two portages on our trip.

Whitewater on the North Fork of the Shenandoah River

 

Getting my paddle on.

Drying out our gear after the big tip!

Waiting out the rain at the Gravel Spring Hut in the Shenandoah National Park.

Hemingway enjoying a hitch.

Solid Hitch! Bugger & JC.

The Western Virginia state line, goodbye Virginia! Also the 1,000 mile marker.

Harpers Ferry is filled with African American history.

Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters, Harpers Ferry, WV.

Packs outside the ATC.

 

John Brown's Fort, Harpers Ferry, WV.