Date: 2018-02-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is Starsday, Solmath 19. Day 289 of Pamola's Quest.  The Quest continues, even though I'm not currently hiking. I'm having fun watching all of the Class of 2018 go through all the preparation, questioning and nervousness that we felt last year at this time. I can look at it now with a more experienced eye and am much calmer myself with what is ahead of me. I know what the trail is like and what I'm like when I'm on it. I'm looking forward to getting back out there to continue this Quest, gathering all the elements of the Talisman of the Storm and delivering it to Paloma on his peak up in Maine.  After getting off trail once again at the top of Massachusetts near the end of August, LoGear and I went back out in Northern VA in September to pick up some more unique miles for her. It was a short overnighter, with me dropping her off at one end, going to the other end and hiking in to meet her at the shelter. The next day, we retraced my tracks and headed into Harpers Ferry.In October, I went out alone to just do another overnighter from the PA/MD border up to Tumbling Run shelter. I just needed a trail fix. We didn't get out on the trail in November or December as I started planning a little longer hike to do after the turn of the New Year. The original plan was to yo-yo from PenMar down to Harpers Ferry and returning, completing Maryland twice in the process.  I headed out on Jan 2nd from PenMar, but turned around after hitting the first shelter. The weather was just a little more dangerous than I wanted to deal with. The temp was 6 degrees when I headed out and my water immediately started freezing. After stopping at Raven Rock shelter for lunch, I decided that I would head back and wait a few days. I built a nice fire, relaxed a bit, then headed back to the truck. A week or so later, I had to head back to PA for the funeral of my Aunt and decided to try again. I shortened the hike to start at I-70 in MD and did the down and back up in four days. It was still pretty cold, but nowhere as bad as the week before. During this hike I found another piece of the Talisman. When I returned home I also made another small leather pouch to carry the Talisman items as I gather them. During that hike, I made the plan to try and get out onto the Trail every month this year. I have already figured out where to do my Feb hike. There is a 1.5 mile or so stretch of "trail" going through Duncannon that I haven't hiked yet. It is the only piece of PA that I have not yet hiked at least once. I'm hoping to start in Boiling Springs, hike to and through Duncannon, cross the river and head up to the next shelter. I will then retrace my steps again and head back to the truck. Four days is the plan for now. I may do more, who knows.  I just wanted to put a little update on here as I haven't posted anything on this site since I got off trail.I'm not sure where I will hike in Mar and April, but in May, I'm planning on continuing the Quest in earnest. Hiking new trail again. The plan is to get a ride back down to Damascus in May, just before Trail Days starts and heading north immediately, getting a little ahead of the mass exodus that will come out of there after the weekend. My friend Kangaroo Joe may be coming with me for that first week. He has some time off and hasn't hiked since we did the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail together a couple years ago.  After that first part, I will continue on to at least Rockfish Gap. This will complete VA for me. It's possible that I will continue north, re-hiking some of what LoGear and I hiked last July, but that plan is still very hazy.After that series of Pushes, I will take a little time off and then find my way back up to Williamstown, MA where I will continue the final Phase of Pamola's Quest. VT, NH and ME.  If all goes well, I will find myself presenting the Talisman of the Storm to Pamola at Pamola Peak on Katahdin.  The Quest continues...Peace,EarthTone