Cookie Outdoors

Harpers Ferry has no apostrophe The blogging app and I still have beef over this "no internet, panic panic, let's delete your draft post" business. Again. Day 78 After completing my errands and eating more town meals, Zoe and the puppy Ollie joined me briefly on trail. Dog backpack beats hiking backpack hands down I only hiked a few miles so I could stay at the next shelter, which was a pretty nice one at that. Given the chance, I will stay in shelters to avoid having wet gear. Not that I've had any major issues with leaks or waterproofing so far, but I choose to avoid carrying that water weight and the effort the dry everything out again. I don't think I've talked about shelters in too much detail. These three-sided structures can vary in size, material, and shape along the AT depending on the age and ownership as much as any site constraints. Forest service shelters are pretty standardized, and within Shenandoah and the Smokies there were distinc...

America's second most visited National Park Day 73 My first full day in the park ended up being my longest day to date at 24 miles. It started with surprise trail magic: pancake breakfast! AT and PCT thru hiker Giggles was doing trail magic periodically over the past month and is about to start the CDT for the last of her triple crown trails. The Triple Crown of US long-distance hiking, if I haven't explained before, is the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail. A Canadian informed me that their Great Divide Trail can be included for the North American Elite Four. First overlook from Skyline Drive  I made a big effort to reach the first wayside (small grill/cafeteria restaurants in the park) after 19 miles, and yes it was worth it. With all the smooth trail, I actually came nowhere close to beating my Fitbit step record: long strides cover lots of ground versus trudging climbs get lots of steps. Low quality photo of the fa...

The post that was not destined to be Sorry for the dramatic title, but I'm rather frustrated. My draft post has accidentally been deleted twice now, so I'm annoyed at the Blogger mobile app. Yes, after the first time I was saving regularly. Day 62 Smiles for the marker right past the hostel The warm weather continues. If I feel noticeably tired when it's 80 degrees, how will July go? No, that's not a smudge on the camera. You can see the haze rolling across the valley. Here in the East Coast, sometimes you can see the humidity. The trail today and in several sections follows the Blue Ridge Parkway, an official scenic byway with many overlooks that connects to Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. Many of the views from the road are better than the trail Day 63 This part of Virginia seems to be full of lizards. Now, when I'm walking along and hear a sudden rustling in the leaf litter or understory plants, these little guys are...