Date: 2012-10-31
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter 

To: Ed Garvey Shelter 
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: overcast clouds

(In which the sun comes back out and I get back into the pre-Sandy rhythm) -Currently sitting at the picnic table in front of the shelter just before sundown, looing east-One of my eyboard eys isn't woring today... can you tell which one? The "U" ey and the "M" ey are inda fidgity too. How often do things lie this fix themselves? Aye.This morning felt colder than any other. I think I had colder nights in Maine, but the damp cold of yesterday cut through you. Putting on wet socks is terrible, putting on ice-cold wet socks is horrifying. Least favorite part of the day by far.The feet are dryer today than at the end of yesterday due to the steadily improving condition of the trail. Yesterday even the high elevation parts of the trail had puddles or small streams running down it. In the afternoon the sun made an appearance and everything felt better. I took a picture from a view point just to show all the readers that Maryland survived the storm. The water crossings have already started to recede and the biggest obstacles now are the blowdowns. In the last 35 miles I've crossed about a dozen new blowdowns. Most are small trees and are easy to get around. Two or three have been a bear to get by without taking your pack off or bushwaking and getting poked in the eye with small branches. One blowdown about 4 miles back I crawled under on my hands and knees. Considering the damage to the entire east coast, blowdowns are a small concern - and much better to deal with than waist-deep raging waterways. Ultimately, it was just as easy to move quickly today as it has been the last few weeks. Feels good to be hitting a stride again.Tomorrow I stroll through Harpers Ferry and pick up a few packages. I'm excited to pick up my AT Guide. Thanks to Pilot for sending me a digital copy of the ALDHA guide - I've been surviving with the AT Data book that I picked up in Delaware Water Gap. Unfortunately my not-so-smart smartphone can't open the file... That's okay though, since I'll pick up the AT Guide tomorrow. The AT Data Book (produced by the ATC) is a good reference, but it's not nearly as useful, comprehensive and convenient as the AT Guide from AWOL. I've missed out on a few hostels and nearby business over the last two weeks without the trusty guide. In addition to a few packages, I'm looking forward to picking up some new gear in Harpers Ferry. I've been looking forward to getting new pole tips, new socks and a warmer mid-layer. After last night I'm also thinking about some kind of warm footwear for camp... maybe some down slippers. Nothing says you're the outdoors type like down booties.To posters on the guestbook: mRobertson - I think spools is just a few days ahead of me on the trail. Also, I heard much about him from AG - they're good friends. Michel - glad you're finding my journal useful. I need to start reading more in French. What are my odds of finding a French trail journal?Today's post was brought to you by the letter k, because it would have been much faster to type this entry if I didn't have to use the QWERTY keypad on the phone to insert it every single time I needed it...