Update

We got off in Great Barrington, catching the bus out to Boston then flying back home. I had my knee looked at and after much back and forth, it was decided I needed to have a cortisone injection in the knee. Not very pleasant as the injection was basically on the bone. The next day it was extremely painful but has since gotten better. After a few hikes and a backpacking tip it looks like I am good to go back. I will head back to pickup where I left off the first thru-hike attempt while my husband will head up north for a couple of weeks to hike Maine before the weather turns back, then he will come down and join up with me.

Day 50: Hemlocks Shelter

A few weekenders were in the shelter last night and I got treated to popcorn and dried cherries. Good stuff. They offered to cook us breakfast too but we needed to move on since I have been going slow both up and down hills now. We had three big climbs to do today and needed/wanted to get an early start. The first climb wasn't too bad but the down was pretty bad. The second climb seemed find but ended up going on forever. It turned into a rocky summit with ridges. Good views but the ridges wore thin. We stopped in the camp area for water and got caught in the rain. A small thunderstorm rolled through but we hiked on as it was passing. The problem was we were close to the third summit when the second wave came through. It was longer and more intense. We ended up sitting on the side of the trail waiting for the thunder to pass. we then hurried over the summit but by then it was definitely breaking up so we stopped to enjoy the views.

We stopped 0.1 mi short of our goal. There are two shelters close to each other, but the second one sounded like party central. So we decided to stop at the quiet shelter. Tomorrow we head into Great Barrington and see about going home to have my knee looked at.

Day 49: Brassie Brook Shelter

8.8 mi

The climb out of the shelter was not fun but had to be done. We had about 4 mi to get to Salisbury for a light resupply and internet use. On the way to town we passed a lone rock pillar that people have walked around as the ground was clear. Turns out it was the Giant's Thumb. Strange what things the trail passes. We pushed into town going straight to the library. We are looking at options for getting off. We might be able to rent a car in Great Barrington. So that is our stopping point. Hopefully my knee only needs rest.

ST has been nice but strange. Almost none of the shelter sites have picnic tables. The tenting sites seem to have them all. The towns have been quaint but very pricey. The terrain has been getting rougher but we only just summited Lion's Head at 1738 ft. Pretty short mountain. The shelters and campsites have been reasonably spaced out until today where we passed two shelters and a camping area in the space of less than 2 mi. With another site in 2.2 mi. Tomorrow we enter MA!

Day 48: Limestone Spring Shelter

12.3 mi

The bugs were pretty bad last night in the shelter. So much so that I put on some DEET before going to bed. Needless to say, I didn't sleep well. Just to add to my list of woes, my left knee has been starting to act up. The worst part is that it isn't hurting where it normally does, this is a new pain. Mostly it hurts going downhill but today it hurt first thing in the morning and after each break. Like it had stiffened up with the lack of movement.

In the shelter log, many people mentioned looking forward to the shower at the Hydro plant. I wonder how many were disappointed to see just a showerhead on the side of the building, no privacy at all. We passed opting instead to enjoy the river and have some fun. I washed up and rinsed out my clothes a bit. It was a very nice break to the day and made the 3 mi push up to the summit go a bit faster. The 1/2 mi hike down to the shelter was ridiculous. We are camped out at the shelter waiting to see what the weather gods will bring tonight. We had some thunder roll past earlier and the temps dropped a bit.

Day 47: Pine Swamp Shelter

10 mi

I had hoped to make it the 2+ more miles to the campsite to avoid the swamp shelter, but alas, I just didn't have the miles in me. Today was a bit of a rough section both with rocky stretches and lots of ups and downs. We also got off to a late start this morning as we waited for the rain to stop. The thunderstorm was so close it was practically on top of us. With the two of us in the tent, we had some condensation issues so our bags had dank spots. The area we pitched it also wasn't level so we slide to the bottom of the tent and the footbox of my bag got a little damp. At least it stopped so we could pack up without getting wet. We are at a shelter tonight so we had a chance to spread things out to dry as well as set up the tent to dry.

We've been moving slowly mostly because of me and my various ailments. Looks like at this pace we will be finishing up around Christmas. I hope to get my trail legs soon so we can start pulling longer mile days but the further north we go the harder the terrain which slows me down. I hope I can catch up at some point.

Day 46: Stweard Hollow Shelter

7.3 mi

Another low mileage day but we stopped in Kent to resupply and pick up a maildrop. I got a new top to play with. Luckily it fits. Sadly it is the same ill-conceived color as my hiking shirt, black. Not a good color with the heat and humidity we have still been encountering. At least we spend a good part of the time under tree cover.

Kent was a nice, quaint town that was very pricey with little to offer. The grocery store was lacking, the outfitter was laughable at best and the shops were not very hiker friendly. Why would I leave everything I own outside a shop where anyone can walk off with it. The town also didn't have a hostel. Cheapest place started at about 90$, going up to 140$.

We left Kent in the middle of the high heat to climb up a mountain. Not the best idea especially on full stomachs but we had to get moving. The terrain was a bit rocky but then we hit the down after the ledges and it was stone stairs followed by a gravel road walk. Not very pleasant on our feet and the gnats were horrendous. Thankfully we had just bought bug head nets which the outfitter happened to have, crappy as they were they were a blessing at that moment. I found a new journal too, only things worth the trip into the outfitter.

Day 45: Mt Algo Shelter

8.4 mi

A short mile day but with some steep climbs. My week off was not good for my trail legs. I felt I was just starting to get my trail legs but now I feel I have been sent back to week one. My feet have been pounding by the middle of the day. The heat and humidity have still been quite high. It has really been sucking the strength and appetite right out of me. I have been at least trying to get as much water as possible in me.

We are a full house tonight but most are camping out so we so far have the shelter mostly to ourselves. One guy is in a bug bivy and decided to join us when it started to sprinkle rain.

We go into Kent tomorrow to get our boxes from Ft. Montgomery plus my tank top. Hopefully we will find everything we need at the outfitters. We may also look into getting a bug net bivy tent and maybe a tarp. We will see.

Day 44: Ten Mile River Shelter

9.6 mi

First real day back on the trail in about a week and I almost feel like I did the first few days, slow and easily winded. I'm sure some of that is from my recovering from heat exhaustion. My feet are not happy but I have been trying to stay off them at the shelter and they are doing okay.

Looks like we might have the shelter to ourselves tonight. Would be nice. Would also be nice if the heat would break so we can get a good nights sleep. We both have been tired and managed to get a nap in when we arrived earlier in the afternoon. Tomorrow is another light mile day where we cross back into NY briefly then we are in CT to stay. We should be in Kent the following day to do a resupply and pick up the rest of the Ft. Montgomery maildrop that my husband forwarded on. Plus hopefully a new tank top and maybe socks if we're lucky.

Day 43: Wingdale

Rest and recoup. Spent a good amount of time in bed resting before heading out to find the library. We walked down to the first set of lights then gave up turning back. We ate lunch at Big W's BBQ Place and found out the library is at the second set of lights. So back we went. Our book just doesn't have maps for most of the towns so we really tend to stumble around blindly trying to find stuff. We got two hours of computer use which almost made it worth the walk down. At least they have us a second hour.

I'm feeling a bit better for the rest. My appetite is coming back but seems to still be a bit suppressed. But at least I am eating. the heat doesn't seem to be bothering me as much as before which is good. I also have been drinking a ton of water and juice.

Day 42: Wingdale

We walked down to Tony's Deli and from there we went back into Pawling. We thought we could stay at the B&B but once again our book has lead us astray. They no longer have a hiker rate and haven't in a long time. We did get what we needed from town and found a place to stay the night to catch up on sleep. We are taking a couple of days together time.

We stopped off at the CVS then grabbed a quick lunch in Pawling getting lucky to have a lift offer from one of the employees at the deli. We both had a nap as we were dearly exhausted from lack of sleep. The weather has been very hot and humid still and we are both having trouble sleeping in this weather. The trains and cars from last night didn't help one bit.

Day 41: Appalachian Trail Station

2 mi + 3 from town

Checked out of the hostel late in the morning before heading downtown. Turned out the address I had for the USCIS building was wrong. At least I didn't have to walk far to get to the right place. So apparently trekking poles are not allowed past security but my stove, fuel and small pocket knife was okay. I hit EMS again to return the anti-chaff then off to the trail station. The USCIS appointment went very smoothly adn quick. I showed up early and was out in less than 30 min. Plenty of time for me to catch the earlier trail out to Pawling. I couldn't figure out how to get them to stop at the actual AT station so I hiked in from Pawling then after getting a note from my husband at the trailhead, hiked over to the AT station to meet up with him. We stayed the night at the Garden Place. What a disaster. We were sandwiched between a major secondary highway and a commuter rail that ran all night. Plus the mosquitoes were horrible. I am regretting not picking up bug nets while I was at EMS.

Day 40: NYC

A nothing day. I really did absolutely nothing but read, drink a ton of water and relax. I feel like I am getting better so hopefully I can hit the trail in good shape tomorrow.

Day 39: NYC

Today was a bit of a big day. I went downtown to get some stuff from EMS as well as a pharmacy. The pharmacy was good having everything I needed. The EMS on the other hand was a bit of a disappointment. It really didn't have much choice/selection. I found new Keen's but that was about it. They didn't have shorts or much food choice. And only one type of anti-chaff cream. I had also hoped to get a new journal but alas they didn't have any.

Day 38: NYC

Day 2 in NYC. I really have nothing to do. I did go to the grocery store to pick up a few items. I picked up a bunch of yogurts to help strengthen my digestive system. I mostly just read and relaxed. Good thing for the Nook. I have tons of reading material plus I was able to do some limited surfing.

Day 37: NYC

I took the bus into NYC to Brooklyn. I'll be spending the next couple days to recover plus I have an appointment on Monday with USCIS. So this kills two birds with one stone. I'm staying at the NY Loft Hostel. It is pretty nice, but looks a bit like an IKEA ad. I spent most of the day in the room with the AC on before going out and exploring. The bus ride was longer than expected. The bus also filled up quite fast the closer to NYC we got. So basically the name of the game is to relax and recover from my heat exhaustion. The hostel is nice but I miss my husband dearly.

Day 36: Greenwood

A zero day for both of us. We lazed around and took time for ourselves which was very nice. I'm feeling better but not well enough to hike. Decision time. The best option is for me to go into NYC for a few days to stay at a cheaper hostel while my husband hikes on. I've already hiked NY and in worse conditions so no need to do it again. We will meet up near Pawling after my USCIS appointment. We both know it is the best option but neither of us are happy to be apart from each other for the next few days. We worry for each other and miss our together time.

Day 35: Greenwood

My husband's first experience slack-packing today while I stay in to try to recover from heat exhaustion. Considering how much water he had to carry, he wasn't packing very light. I spent most of the day in bed near the AC trying to get some food and water in me but that backfired and seemed to cause a flare up. The owner of Anton's, the place we are staying at, was nice enough to help with some tea, rice and yogurt. Today was another very hot and humid day. In a way I am glad I wasn't hiking but I am also bummed to be kicked down once again by the AT. Not a good go of it this time round.

Day 34: NYC 17A Greenwood

10 mi

Today was very hot and quite humid. Much of the trail was a broken ridge with lots of exposure. We passed into NY finishing off another state. I wasn't feeling too good this morning, a touch of nausea. I ended up vomiting at the border. Mostly water since I hadn't eaten much. Dehydration was suspected. Maybe I didn't drink enough yesterday and last night. We pushed on and I tried to drink more but the thought of eating was not a pleasant thought. We ran out of water about 1.5 mi from the road where we knew we could get more so we pushed on. At the road was some awesome trail magic. Ichabod who was just ahead of us was there with his parents and coolers of drinks, fruit and burgers/hot dogs/ I drank some cold water but sadly I was sick again. This time beans from yesterday's lunch made an appearance. we decided to go into town so I could recover and rehydrate.

The book we have been using as a guide was quite off today. From the power line to the road felt much longer than 0.4 mi and we never passed a marsh let alone an overflow to a marsh. NY is extremely dry (today's section at least).

Day 33: Wawayanda Shelter

5 mi

A short day but needed so we can heal up a bit. We have been a bit ahead of schedule so this also fits our timeline. We left Vernon early hoping to catch a lift out but no luck. We started walking when the cop pulled up to the light. Luckily he went the other way, turns out he was really nice. He came back and picked us up, saving us the 2.4 mi walk back to the trail.

I'm still pretty slow going up hills and the blister on the ball of my foot sucks. I tend to spend a lot of time looking at foot placement so I don't step on anything that could twist my foot or hurt my blister. So imagine my surprise when I scared a bear and cub. Cub went up a tree and mom stepped back then stopped. I thought for sure she would charge but she didn't. I snapped a pic while backing up. The cub rejoined mom who kept eating. We walked passed slowly then kept hiking.

We saw the strangest trail magic, a water cache at a road. We had just passed a stream, then passed another pond. Very strange.

Day 32: Vernon, NJ

11.8 mi

Hitchhiking, being illegal both in NJ and NY, made for a long day. We hiked the 1/2 mile from Unionville very early due to a lack of toilets at the Back Track Inn. And coming into Vernon, we walked the 2.4 mi to town. That doesn't include the 11.8 mi of just the portion of the AT we hikes. No one stopped to offer us a lift. We are currently staying at the church hostel. We are clean and we were also able to do laundry. I did some computer stuff as well.

We have been finding that things are more expensive the further north we go. It has been adding up. I am not sure how our spending stands. I need new footwear, again, which was unexpected. I may need to get new sandals as these ones don't have much tread left. I also need to run into NYC for an appointment with USCIS so that will be another expense.

Neither of us slept well last night. I at least seemed to have got more but we are both feeling the effects of less sleep. I was moving a little slower with my blister but my husband was slow and grouchy from lack of sleep. I really hope he can get some sleep tonight but we are at a hostel. AC or not, he will not sleep well.