This is our twelth day and we have covered over 100 miles, which is roughly 5% of our jounrey. 5% might seem like nothing, but this being what it is it seems like such a big percentage to me. So much has already happened that I do not know where to start. We started out in the rain which hardly seems fair. All in all we have been doing really good though. People have been so nice to us and luck has been our constant gaurdian. Our trail names have been discovered and therefore Alex will heretofore be recognized as Frank N. Stein and I shall answer to Brave Little Toaster (BLT, Toaster, Toast ect.)
So, we have seen so many rocks!!!! We have also seen three bears, a dear (which I did not see,) toads, frogs, a dead possum, 3/4ths of North Americas mosquito population, several turtles of various sizes ranging from hand to half Pork, a four-five foot copperhead rattlesnake and who knows what else.
Things that I have learned, keep your head up when your close, everything breaks, no one needs 5 liters of water and are you gunna eat that?
We have met so many interesting people in places that no one goes to, they just pass by. Who knew that things were happening in there places? Right now we are taking our first zero (no hiking.) We are staying with the ex Mayor of Unionville, NJ. The “Mayor” along with Butch and Bill are three very very generous people who live here. They let all thruhikers stay here, take a shower, have dinner and breakfast and use a computer. They are even Pork friendly. All they want is to hear why you are hiking the trail and to give you a little motivation to keep it up and to give you a litte talk about goals and keeping up the morals of what we have learned while on the trail. It has been indescribable how kindly we have been treated or how meaningful their words have been to me.
Obviously I cannot write everything down, but needless to say, it has been an adventure!
~Brave Little Toaster
Hey guys, so cool to hear from you all. Love the stories about all the animals. With all the rain, the mosquitos are having a field day. Have you all seen the sun yet? As you know, Dave and I are going on vacation in the early AM. So we will not get back to this right away.
Bill is here and we are really focusing on the shed. I will give you some pics via your e-mail address so you can see how it looks. The front is mostly done and the roof just was finished this AM. The rain is driving us nuts. Constant.
Love you all much. Hi to Alex and Pork.
Dad
Comment by Dad (Jack) — June 30, 2009 @ 16:39
yahoo! you guys are flying! at first glance it looks like you’re already a 3rd of the way to where i’ll meet you at the vermont border
Comment by everett — July 1, 2009 @ 12:13
yeah man! we are farther than that too. We are 17 miles past unionville. Its been a blast. Cannot wait to have you with us! Are you coming for a weekend? Gotta make sure you have everything you need and plan a meetup spot soon! Hope all is well man!
Brave Little Toaster
Comment by Brave Little Toaster — July 1, 2009 @ 17:16
Hooray! a blog post! once i finish unloading my car and find my camera, I will send the pictures to Brett to post on here somewhere. Keep up the posting, I feel better knowing that you are still alive!
Comment by Lydea — July 2, 2009 @ 16:34
You all are in NY state already. Way cool. How long before you get to Western Massachusetts? We really want to meet up with you three there. Can not wait to hear some good stories.
Dave and I are in Detroit visiting Carmel and Jason. It was a very long 14 hour ride through Penn. and Ohio-the southern route. Visited “Mo-Town studios” yesterday. Was very cool. Can not believe all that great music came out of that little house. Studio “1″ was a garage. It was a great tour. Monday on to Toronto for 4 days. Should be fun.
I will check your website in Toronto. Great to see your progress. How is Pork doing?
Dad and Dave
Comment by Dad — July 3, 2009 @ 09:39
We just had lobster, corn, clam chowda, strawberry shortcake, coffee at Edgewood — this is Gramma rubbing it in. How’s your cooking? Gourmet pbj’s? I suggest (after you determine that it is not a snapper) that you go for turtle soup one night.
We are blown away that you all are still at it given the rain rain rain… hope you have dried out by now! Keep telling us tales… for example what did the bears do when they saw you?
Proud and a l’il jealous, love you!
Comment by Gramma, Braids and Cuddles — July 4, 2009 @ 15:43
Hello! So this is pretty cool. Just realized that your map actually works and I can see where you are so we need to plan our big meeting, I’m so so so excited to see you!!
Just wanted to join in the blogging fun and hope you’re having a splendid day.
Love you.
Comment by Becca — July 5, 2009 @ 15:44
Hi you guys! Haven’t heard from you or gotten a location update in a few days. Hope you haven’t gotten eaten by a bear! I want to send the trekking poles and headlamp, so I need to know where. I’m stuck at home after my foot surgery, but all is well. C and J were at MV most of last week and transformed the place. Renters are in as of yesterday. Where were you for the 4th? I wondered if you were at some high point where you could see multiple fireworks like we can from the steeple… Mom
Comment by RevNancyB — July 6, 2009 @ 10:06
Hey guys. Things are pretty busy and I don’t think that i’ll be able to catch up with you…at least for a while. But, on the brighter side, my dad says he’s glad to restock you or put you you up a couple of nights anywhere between Stratton Mtn and Woodstock, VT. Just give him (Bob) a call – (802)235-2361. Good luck – have fun.
Comment by Alex Toppin — July 10, 2009 @ 22:44