Still alive!

Sorry the blogs have been so sparse lately! I've been having a lot of fun out on the trail lately and it's been difficult to distance myself from it enough to make the time to blog. I've been hiking with 3 other ladies for a few weeks now and I'm so ridiculously grateful for both their company and adventurous spirits. 

Hiking with them has turned it from being all about the miles to more about the smiles. We've been to the Jersey Shore, NYC, and went rock climbing recently. There have been a few more tavern visits since I've had their company too ( ;

For our next trail excursion we're going kayaking when my mum comes and visits shortly in Vermont! Tomorrow will be our last day of hiking in Massachusetts. From there only 3 states left; Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. 

I'm really excited to hike through New England, but a bit nervous about some of the elevation gains and losses coming up. We haven't had to hike anything over 4000 feet since central Virginia. The hiking has been going pretty well lately, although my right foot has been giving me some trouble. I stepped down on some rocks funny and tweaked it a couple weeks ago and it's taken a bit longer to recover than I would like. But I think it's on the mend. 

Life is good and I'm having the adventure of a lifetime. Thanks for the support y'all!

New England...finally!

NY/CT State line!

Husotonic River

Rocketship?

NYC

When we woke up at the Greymoor Spiritual Center where we were camped it was raining and not a one of us wanted to spend all day hiking in it. On the spur of the moment DaV, Dino, Bean Dip, and I decided to go to NYC. A trail angel we met planted the idea and then gave us a lift to the train.

On the train we all posted on Facebook that we were looking for a place to stay in the city. We ended up getting several responses from people who could put us up for the night. The first one was from a fellow thru hiker who was also in the city and staying with a family friend in Brooklyn. We were invited to crash there at her beautiful spacious home. 

But before heading there we walked the 2.2 miles from Grand a Central to an REI to get some gear. We got some pretty odd looks as we schlepped about the city in the rain with all our gear. 

While in the city we rode the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty, visited the 9/11 Memorial, walked the Brooklyn Bridge and ate NY pizza, bagels, and cheesecake. 

What a beautiful excursion surrounded by beautiful people <3

Conneticut

NY/CT State line!

Husotonic River

New Journeys!

Rock garden

Sunrise mountain

Newt

Murray Property cabin

Small town 'merca bfast!

Jersey Shore!

We're all packed and ready for the shore!

On our way!

View of the ocean...from the house!

Me grilling kabobs for the tramily. 

Such a cute space!

Sillies. 

Tramily movie night!
We watched Frozen, a few of us may have cried (DaV and Dino...cough, cough). 

Jungle Speed before it got intense. 

Wrestle off!

Success. 

Sparklers on the beach!

This whole trip was courtesy of Sisyfus. 

Thanks Sis, you rock! <3

Pennsylventures

Iron Masters Mansion Hostel

The trail went through a freshly mowed hay field. Neat. 

Boiling Springs, PA. We stealth camped in a town park.

PA has so many ferns!

Found this little cutie on the side of the trail. 

Owling. You sometimes have to create your own shenanigans on the trail to keep entertained and happy. Also, please note the leg muscles. 

A few of us splurged on a hotel room. And then worked out in the gym, bc obviously walking 1200 miles isn't enough 

Dino, Sis, myself, and DaV hanging out in an amazing barber shop in Port Clinton. 

The Peanut Shop in Port Clinton. For being such a sketchy seeming town it was pretty cool. 

One of our many PA hitches. 

One of many beautiful views. Just hanging out. 

Real life? Yes. 

SO MANY

ROCKS. 

Camping behind the Beer Stein Tavern in Wind Gap. Hiker trash style. 

Packing the car for our Jersey Shore trailcation. That's correct, we are in fact taking a break from hiking at the beach. I LOVE the ocean immensely; I'm so excited!