Wednesday 22 July 2009 - Thistle Hill Shelter

I caught up with David and Rolling Stone a couple of days ago having not seen them since before my break in Washington D.C. I hiked with them for a few days which included a stay at the 'Inn at the Long Trail' for a few beers. Since we are in the heart of ski country in Vermont, we visited one of the ski resorts to ride the alpine slide which they have open in the summertime. It was like a bobsleigh track that you ride on a wheeled sled. It was fun, but I couldn't help worrying about falling out and injuring myself.
I have just 15 miles to go now until Hanover where I will meet Lisa on Friday. It will be fantastic to see her and will also be good to rest for a few days as my body has taken some punishment recently. In the 39 days since getting back on the trail after D.C. I've hiked more than 700 miles.

Wednesday 15 July 2009 - Congdon Shelter

Moved out of Massachusetts today and into Vermont, one of the last three states on the trail. Resupplied at a grocery store and bought way too much food, but in honour of entering Vermont I bought a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream which I ate sitting on the pavement outside the store. Getting closer to Hanover, New Hampshire and my break with Lisa - really, really looking forward to it - it's nice to have a target to aim for other than Katahdin.

Monday 13 July 2009 - Dalton, Massachusetts

Having my first day off for a while at Tom Levardi's house in Dalton, Massachusetts - it's another example of incredible hospitality. He fed me and a group of others last night when I came in from hiking and let me stay at his house and take a shower. Then this morning he took 5 of us to the local mall so that we could watch a movie. I watched Transformers which was noisy and stupid, but surprisingly enjoyable.
Apologies for the lack of journal entries recently - I've been doing some serious miles and not really stopping - in fact yesterday I did my longest day of the entire trip. Will try to be better in the coming weeks.

Saturday 11 July 2009 - Camping (no shelter)

Am camped alone for the first time in a long time this evening as Greenlite, the guy that I have been hiking with for the past couple of days, still had some miles in his legs when I decided to call it a day. Have camped in some strange places the last two nights - yesterday we were on some waste ground behind a garden centre and the evening before that we were in the woods behind an old people's home. Was good though as it allowed us to do exactly the mileages that we wanted.
Went for my first swim on the trail today. We came to a lake that was too good to pass up. It felt incredible to be in the cool water and swim around. Unfortunately this evenings tent spot isn't quite so pleasant - it seems to be mosquito central. I'm just thankful that they can't get through my tent's bug net.
Am piling on the mile and I passed the 1,500 mile mark yesterday.

Monday 6 July 2009 - RPH Shelter

Am well into New York now, in fact I only have two days left here until I leave for Connecticut. Am making good miles and averaging around 20 miles a day. Just had some great trail magic from a family who brought me birthday cake and ice cream - they also brought along their huge pet parrot Simon to the shelter where they met me. Feeling pretty positive about the trail at the moment and am starting to focus on my next big milestone: seeing Lisa again in Hanover, New Hampshire in just over 300 miles time. Can't wait.

Friday 3 July 2009 - Camping on the New York/New Jersey border

Have just crossed into New York state and am camping just across the border having finished with New Jersey today. Had an amazing night last night in Unionville where I, along with about 20 other hikers, stayed with at the house of the former mayor Dick Ludwick. He fed us dinner and breakfast and let us have beers at 25 cents a piece. His hospitality was incredible and as well as feeding us and letting us take showers and do laundry, he also tried to provide us with some motivational material for the rest of our hike. Oddly this came in the form of watching a video of opera singer Paul Potts' winning performance from Britain's Got Talent. It was strange sitting in a room full of Americans listening to Ant and Dec doing their presenting. Although strange, I think I got what Dick was trying to tell us - a message about ordinary people doing extraordinary things (or something similar). It was an excellent place to stay.
Onwards into New York!

Monday 29 June 2009 - Church of the Mountain Hostel, Delaware Water Gap

Have had a couple of shorter days recently after a day off in Palmerton and am now having a night in town following a 15 mile day. Unfortunately my new hiking shoes that I bought in Washington DC have started to fall to pieces having done less than 300 miles. I'm currently waiting on the store in DC returning my call to see if they will ship me a new pair to the next town - I'm not desperately hopeful. Also one of the hotels that Lisa and I stayed at in DC charged my credit card twice so I'm also trying to chase them up. Now I remember why I came on the A.T. - town life is stressful!

P.S. Passed the 1,250 mark a couple of days ago.