Miles
So, on my current hike north, I fell into the «trap» of cruising miles, or as people like to say «heartbreaking/crushing» miles, along the south and southeast on the Appalachian Trail (AT). Don’t worry, the AT Mid-Atlantic couldn’t be a much different hike. I have this. Yes. Sure.
Hiking in Pennsylvania
Then Pennsylvania happened. Or, as it is affectionately known, although perhaps not so affectionately in some cases, “Rocksylvania.” Pennsylvania started out as “nice” and “kind of a nuisance” with millions of small, medium, and large rocks all over the trail causing me to at least start and stop my hike over and over again throughout any given day. There was substantial amounts of bouldering, navigating rough craigs, constant climbing and descending short mountain sides. without Curves, unlike the larger mountains in the south and southeast, fewer rocks, wide trails, and often numerous switchbacks.
Many stones on the road.
Going up and down very large rocks and boulders.
Changing expectations
About halfway through Pennsylvania, I knew my hiking expectations were way off and that this state was going to be hard work. My knees started to hurt a lot as did my feet. In one fell swoop, for example, I tripped on a rock and ripped a huge hole in my trail runner, the gaiter on that shoe imploded and I broke my knee. Pennsylvania said, «Not so fast, buddy…this is a different kind of hike.» And indeed it was, but that idea had not yet crossed my mind. I needed to go miles, man! Because? I was being stubborn, careless, and probably arrogant and I should have known better. After a few major falls on rocks with shin splints and battered knees to prove it, I slowly began to change my tune. I realized that my luck would run out by falling more frequently because I was in a hurry and that possible serious injuries awaited me. So, I reduced my miles and expectations. Plus, my energy level was low and I needed to slow down or the northeastern states on the AT weren’t going to happen.
Changing my hiking expectations.
Hiking community
Beyond the physical and mental toll, which for me was personal and an internal state of mind, the Pennsylvania hiking community and care began to manifest. Certainly, this esprit de corps It was there all along, I just hadn’t looked for it. As I headed into northern Pennsylvania, water was becoming a growing concern. Thank God to the kind angels of the trail and the communities that stored water along the route. Without this gesture, and many times a stash of water would be in very remote or mountainous areas that required time and effort, the walk would have been even more difficult.
A stash of water in the middle of nowhere with inspiring messages. Thank you!
last day
And then on my last day in Pennsylvania at Delaware Water Gap, you really gave me a shake. On the morning of my last day of hiking in the state, I was giddy because I was going to sail to Delaware Water Gap at 1:00 on a short day, stay in a shelter, shower, do laundry, resupply, eat crazy amounts of food, and then travel to New Jersey the next day and all that “Rocksylvania stuff” would be behind me. Good.
Last day in PA in the Pocono Mountains.
Unexpected inclusivity
For the first two stay places I contacted in Delaware Water Gap, there were no responses. Hum. I looked at the FarOut hiker app and saw that there was a Presbyterian church shelter (Mountain Church Hiker Center) that was donation-based (note: If you stay there, please donate financially what you can). I walked to the church, texted the contact number on the door and was greeted wholeheartedly with positivity. I received the door code and entered. I unpacked my gear, grabbed a comfy couch to sleep on later that night, took a shower, and then went outside to hang up my wet tent from the night before. As I was setting up my tent on the line, a truck pulled up and a man asked me if I was an AT-thru hiker. I indicated yes, and the man in the van said that the building attached to the church was a banquet hall and that they were having an important birthday party for a parishioner. He invited me as his guest. You don’t have to ask me twice. I went to the banquet hall and there were 50 to 60 people present. The celebration was just beginning. The man in the truck introduced me to the group. The people were very welcoming and friendly. I spent hours chatting and answering questions about the AT, hiker life, food, gear, interesting things experienced, difficulties, and so on. We ate, had cold drinks, a wonderful birthday cake and then the DJ turned up the music and it was a dance party. The DJ started with the Beatles song “Birthday,” which in my family we blast on the morning of someone’s birthday! People danced and laughed and formed a great community. After the celebration, we all helped clean up, hugged each other, and said goodbye. I returned to the hostel, which I thought would be for me, and found my friend Smiles there. I hadn’t seen him in months since I was in the Smoky Mountains. I also met the calendar year’s triple crown contender, Ricochet. We spent time exchanging stories, laughing and eating.
Dance party and community fellowship.
With Ricochet (L) and Sonrisas (R).
I take it all away
So, Pennsylvania, I take it all back. The things I muttered under my breath, or might have said loudly out loud, or thought about internally. I understood it all wrong. The best of you was there all the time. Beyond the physical, it took me until my last day in the state to really realize what a supportive hiking community they have and the interest people have in the AT. From the kind gestures of trail communities and angels I will never meet to birthday parties, people open their arms to me; It all made me cry a little the next morning as I crossed the Delaware River into New Jersey. I’m going to miss you, Pennsylvania.
I miss you, Pennsylvania.
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