Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis

Pennsylvania has claimed another couple of victims; Trigger and I are VERY glad that it is over.

Our feet and shoes have suffered from the sharpness of the rocks and, now that we have entered New Jersey, we were hoping that the rocks were going to improve. Our verdict so far; better but still rocky.

Rocks, rocks, and more rocks have made our days tougher but, somewhat perversely, longer and further.

We're taking a zero right now but have racked up an average of almost 20 miles a day for over a week.

Two more days and we'll be out of Pennsylvania and into New Jersey, state #8.

Just two days today, with a 35-mile hike into the precipitous descent into Port Clinton.

Trigger and I are still together and, as you can see, he has reached for his bug net to keep the flies and mozzies at bay and away from his face.

We meet a French Canadian hiker who is taking a novel journey back home and respond to an email from a listener who is concerned at the vitriol on Facebook. As you'd imagine, I have an opinion.

We've had a productive few days, including the longest day I've ever done on the AT.

Trigger and I are currently a 2-person "tramily" as Cushy and Dodger Dog are a day ahead. We've supported one another and kept each other honest as hikers. The miles are melting away and I'm speculating that I'll finish earlier than I'd previously imagined.

With the tramily now down to two of us, Trigger and I have made steady progress in Pennsylvania. The Mason Dixon Line, the halfway point, and the 1100 mile marker were all passed in quick succession.

We're hoping that Cushy will catch us in the next day or so and that Dodger Dog may slow down so that we can hike with her again.

This week, without any interviews, I've added some impressions of how some of my gear is working out.

The past three days have taken us through Maryland to the edge of Pennsylvania. It didn't turn out to be the easy state I'd remembered.

We were honored to have the company of Laurie Potteiger from ATC as our hiking companion for part of the first day and she was a charming and informative guide to all things AT.

Another member of the class of 2019 passed me and I was reminded once more that it isn't the big animals that you need to watch out for.

We've made it to Harpers Ferry, the traditional halfway point. I'm tired, sore, and feel accomplished.

The tramily is starting to break up, a natural progression as members come and go. With a bit of luck, we'll reform in a week or so. The good thing about the trail is that these things are fluid, with plenty of opportunities to meet new and old friends as time goes by.

Looking forward to the second half.

We've finished with Shenandoah National Park. It turned out to be a great place that we all thoroughly enjoyed.

With Ugh leaving for Trail Days, our little group has been augmented by the lovely Dodger Dog. Her youth and vitality have lifted our spirits.

Listeners have continued to reach out and help us while old family friends prove that, as they always do, there is nothing like the love of family.

It has been a wonderful six days with the Shenandoah National Park as the backdrop.

I've been gobsmacked (wonderful English expression) by the kindness of others, with probably the surprise of my life coming on the first morning out of Rockfish Gap.

Further "Magic" later in the week confirmed my feeling of being loved.

Four days of SOBO and NOBO hiking, with RTK joining us for a couple of very wet, quite testing days.

We learn about the attacks and the trail has become a sadder place. How we recover from this desperately sad incident will say a lot about the character of the Class of 2019.