Cookie Outdoors

Pennsylvania rocks scored a point or two Day 92 I was warned and it's true, the ridgeline north of Duncannon is covered in more poison ivy than any stretch of trail I've noticed. Today it rained all day, including a downpour where I could do nothing but laugh and keep walking. What do thru hikers do when it rains? Maybe wear a jacket, pack some stuff in extra plastic bags, and keep going. Perhaps keep an eye out for exposed ridges, rock scrambles, and stream crossings. I appreciated that my headphones were water resistant and figured most people aren't using them in such a big rainstorm.  For being a dry ridge with no surface water sources, there were many toads Unfortunately, I skinned my shin after slipping on some wet rock, though no major injury. It had actually stopped raining for a few hours in the afternoon but started again as I was nearing camp. Emotionally done with the rain, I ended early at a random unexpected spot because I didn't want to go (up

Mountain laurel tunnels Day 87 Some extra haze for sure I finally caught up on the news about these Canadian wildfires and the uncharacteristic smoke and poor air quality hitting the East Coast. No orange skies in my area, and I kept hiking with no ill effects. At least this terrain is pretty flat, and I was in the more moderate air quality band. I actually had to stage this photo carefully because many flowers were crawling with insects The mountain laurel is blooming, and I am walking through tunnels of it. Fun fact, mountain laurel is the state flower of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania's southern section has some pretty nice shelters, too. This one at Quarry Gap, though I didn't stay there, is double wide with a covered picnic table, a porch swing, and hanging flower baskets. Stepping up the shelter game A quick note on trail maintenance and hydrology. There's 2 types of built features in the photo below intended to reduce erosion. First