-PA rocks-
PA, to AT hikers, is known for its rocks on their trail! This is what some of it looked like there. Actually, the northern ~40 miles is the rockiest part of the PA trail, not the whole PA trail! That section was a pain. They say that if all the hikers would pick up one of the rocks and throw it off the trail it would help clear the PA trail. Dan and I did our part and each threw one off the trail!
Those pesky caterpillars! Luckily they were only around for 3 days.We endured 2 violent thunderstorms in CT. The first one we were tenting. We had left the tent fly off because it was one of those hot, humid days/nights. Dan had to get out of the tent to stake down the fly. We had a couple small branches fall on the tent-luckily that was it until the morning when we found that our stuff were wet! Guess one side Dan hadn't completely staked and so the rain pooled and got under us! Then the next 3 days as we hiked we encountered several downed trees all along the trail. We had heard about the next thunderstorm and decided to get to a shelter so we were dry for that one! Both thunderstorms were very loud with lots of thunder and lightening!
In NJ they say that there are the most bears per mile on the AT; in NJ there is at least 1 bear per square mile! So here is a bear box where we hid our food and toiletries!NY brought extremely hot, humid weather for us. It was in the 90s for 5 days! Add to that the bugs and climbs and it made for very uncomfortable hiking! We were constantly wet and hot. We started wearing our mosquito netting suits as soon as we would get to our destiny at the end of the day. I had tried hiking with it on and it was like a sauna. Using the full strength deet on my arms and legs and having to reapply because of sweat was also uncomfortable. Those buggers would swarm my face because I didn't want deet on my face! Bites all over! I've decided to try garlic tablets to see if that will help stop the bugs from biting! I was told that will help! I'll let you know.
So we've hiked over 1000 miles! Heading into NH (oops I meant VT first!) in the next day or two after we get over Mount Greylock in MA! Thanks for your prayers and support! We're trekking on!
