So I am writing from Hutch’s place in Torrington, CT! He drove an hour to pick us up yestarday and brought us back to his place. WHAT A GUY! It is hard to decide what to write because so much has happened.
We have now covered about ten percent of the trail. I think we are ready to start really moving soon. I can’t believe how much more intense it is than I imagined.
We have started to make some real friends on the trail. It has been like moving into a traveling community of gypsies. We will meet someone, hike with them for a couple days, and then we will split up only to find them again later.
We spent a bunch of days with OG, Hellbender, L Train and Braid. There have been many others, but I think these ones have had the biggest impact on us. They are incredibly interesting people.
Braid is around 65 years old and seems to have done everything. He just recovered from lyme disease and still covers around 18-22 miles a day. I talked to him a lot about his life and what he has learned and only scratched the surface. He is not with us now, but I hope we see him again soon. Oh, he wrote a song about the trail and I will try to post the lyrics if I can get them down.
I wanted to say thanks to everyone who has been commenting on my last post. I am sorry that the map doesnt show every day where we are. The SPOT that is supposed to show our location is rather spotty. Yestarday we passed into Connecticut. TWO STATES DOWN!!!!
I will try to get better at posting more frequently.
For now, here are some pictures that we managed to take: http://picasaweb.google.com/vondy0/FirstCoupleHundredMiles
Will post again soon,
Brave Little Toaster
Hi Peter, Alex & Pork,
Now that we are back from vacation I will be checking in all the time to see how you’re doing.
What can I say? You guys rock!
I’m so happy to hear that everything is going well. The best part seems to be that you are meeting so many like minded and wonderful people on your travels. Looking at the pics and hearing of your adventures really gives me a great feeling of what you’re experiencing. It truly is an awesome world out there.
I eagerly await your next report and am looking forward to seeing you in the next couple of weeks.
I’m very proud of you.
Hugs all around and give Pork’s tail a pull for me too.
Dave
Comment by Dave — July 13, 2009 @ 09:58
Guys and Dog,
Good to see that you guys are kicking ass on the Appalachian trail. In some of those pictures, Pork looks like the happiest dog allve, so you guys couldn’t be doing that bad. See – NJ is more than just concrete and shopping malls.
Hope the weather treats you well, enjoy nature, and keep up the good work!
Rick
Comment by Rick Rick Rick Rick Rick — July 14, 2009 @ 21:03
Hey, the pictures are great. Good luck with your trip. When you get to GA – I want to connect with you guys and take you out for dinner.
Carlos and Jamie
Comment by Carlos Pavao — July 17, 2009 @ 12:36
Hi, guys!
So great to see you Monday! You look hale and hearty so this mom’s heart is reassured and pumped for you to keep going. Can’t wait for you to do Greylock – it’s always been a favorite spot for Eric and me. You must be close now! And so glad you figured out the SPOT deal! It’s so much fun to check the map to see where you are. We’ll have to figure out the next meeting place… Also – think about where you’d like the next mail drop and I’ll get it off to you. I’m going to look for those Chocolate mint Cliff Builder Bars… Let me know your favorites from the last box.
Let us know if you see any strap eating porcupines!
Love, Mom
Comment by Rev Mom — July 22, 2009 @ 17:16
Hey, make a list of what someone would need if they want to spend a couple days with u guys, also include dog gear. My mom has a 1/3 discount for everything in LL beans, so if u guys need anything let me know and ill get it mad cheap. CYA
Bryson
Comment by Bryson — July 26, 2009 @ 09:54