Hiking in New England?

Before you go, you may wish to check out the trail conditions here.

Information about parking, trail condition, bugs and dog and even a section for comments will be found by hikers and their recent visit.

Get out on the trail (and practice social distancing).

Peaked Mountain, The Trustees of Reservation area in Connecticut.

Pickleball

I have never played it, but should try it out sometime soon.  The hottest sport around is Pickleball, a combination of tennis, ping pong, and badminton, sports I have already attempted.

My good friend, and my age, has enjoyed it for several years.  And even in my hometown, they built a court for this sport, much to the displeasure of those that don't believe in health exercise. 

Trail Wisdom

On a backpacking trip, try not to be the first person out of camp in the morning.

Why?

So you will not be the one to eat all the cobwebs along the morning trail.

Summer Solstice 2020 (and 1974)

Today is the solstice.  But back in 1974, it was tomorrow, 'er the 21st.

So on the Appalachian Trail my journal for today (20 June 1974) noted it "Rained like hell in the P.M.  got wet of course."  That night we stayed in the Double Spring LT in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park.

The next day, then the solstice, we got up late (9 am), left for Clingmans at 10:30 and arrived at 12 noon.  And of course it was fogged in.

I got my red Crusher hat on.

Comments on my posts

Well, it seems I have an audience that wants to post a link on my blog for spam or who knows what.  I am turning off the option for comments for the time being to put this to rest.

Sorry folks

Post Covid-19 Outdoor Recreation Openings in Massachusetts

For outdoor recreation, see this link.

Farley Ledges, Massachusetts.

Stay safe.

June 12th, 1975

This is the date I completed hiking the entire Appalachian Trail, some 2,017 or 2,054 or what ever.  The length frequently changed over 1974 and 1975 due to numerous relocations.

I finished my hike on US Route 20 in Massachusetts, in the rain of course.  Here is a shot of the hiker bridge over the Mass Pike (I-90) and my pack with rain cover along Route 20, just a bit north of the Pike.

My hike through Connecticut and Massachusetts northbound was without a trail guide and I just used gas station road maps.  But despite this, and lots of road walking, I covered 20 miles a day.

I attempted to hitch into Lee Massachusetts to catch a bus back to Maryland, but no one would pick up a wet hiker.

Arriving home about midnight, I then began the rest of my life.

Blood Mountain, GA

Climbed this bad boy back in 1974.  From the USGS topo map of the period, here is what it looked like:

Had camped out near Woody Gap that morning, and if my memory serves me, got drinking water from a drip from rocks along the road.

Covid-19 and Tourism

The next year or so we are going to seek a surge of research on the Covid-19 story.  Here is the first dealing exclusively on Tourism.

And best of all, free access this month!

June 5th, 1975

What were you doing on this date?

Well, from my journal, it was a Thursday and I was hiking the AT and arrived at the Farmers Mill LT at 4 pm  a total of 18.5 miles from my stay at Indian Lake LT.  It had been raining and as frequent on the AT "...my boots are wet..."  I was planning to get to Pawling NY the next day.

The two shelters I stayed in are no longer there.  Ed Garvey noted both in his (required reading) Appalachian Hiker (1971). And I checked the 1987 Data Book and both are missing.

I was also "paranoid" about entering Connecticut without a map or guidebook since I had not anticipated my 20 plus mile days in NJ and NY.

Oh yeah, the roof of the LT leaked.

So, in my search to find info on the old leantos I came across this one in Maine.  I didn't stay here, but passed it on August 26th, 1974.

International arrivals to US decline

well.....duh.

For some recent (May 2020) stats, see the National Travel and Tourism Office website.

There have been no news releases from this office since October last year.

But you can access the disaster page at this point.