Date: 2008-07-30
From: Harper's Ferry, WV

To: New York City
Miles today: 300.0

Hey everyone, Its been a long time since ive taken the time to sit down and write up an entry, mostly because up until this point ive really just been on the move most of the time and havent come across to many places to write one. Jarrod, i got your message, I hope everything goes well for you man, best of luck and congrats on how far you were able to come. OK so heres the latest, after crossing through Harper's Ferry and through Maryland, and then into PA, i spent about 2 weeks in the third largest state on the A.T. and one of the most interesting so far. The heat was incredible, and many days i had no choice but to hike from 5 or 6 in the morning till 11 or 12 and then wait till 3 or 4pm to start again. The terrain was flat comparative to the other states we had seen, so the climbs were not as bad, but PA made up for it with rocks. Small rocks, large rocks, and Boulder fields, rocks all day every day, especially the last 100 miles or so and it put a beat down on all of the hikers. Combined with all the rattlesnakes, lack of water sources, and intense humidity, Pa was a crazy, but still extremely fun state. I hiked most of it with Voodoo and some others, and there was lots of road crossings and some really nice shelters, some with caretakers even. The trail was well maintained and challenging in places like lehigh gap, a total boulder rock mountain that we hand over hand climbed up that was totally exposed due to loss of vegetation from zinc smelting in the area years ago. It was amazing. A few more days and I crossed over Delaware Water Gap and into New Jersey. By the way you know you have walked a long way from home when the people around you when you come into a town dont even SOUND like they did when you left. At all. The accents are strong. New Jersey and New york are both very beautiful, I saw a few small bears coming into New Jersey, and made my way to Culver's Gap, NJ where we stopped at a local bar&grill for some food and a break. There was a big storm rolling in so me and 4 others slept under the patio out back of the bar, it was interesting, but dry nontheless. I made my way up New Jersey to Unionville, NY where the mayor of the town puts up hikers and feeds them too, a really amazing group of people at his house. I had not been feeling well, and I knew something was up because usually I dont ever feel bad for more than a day or so. So, when I was coming into NY to meet up with steph at the airport to spend some time in the city, my dad's freind arranged me to see a doctor at his house. The doctor took my blood to run tests and did a full checkup. I regret to tell ya'll back home that he believes the symptoms to be lyme disease or maybe mono, but will not know till the end of the week after the blood tests come back. I have come more than 1300 miles and I am not planning on stopping, however I'm not doing anything until i have an answer from the doctor. The fatigue is unbelievable. The things ive done, people ive met, and places ive seen since my last entry are numerous and I wish I had time to tell all about them, its been really incredible, and the journey moves on. However, ill be posting again soon to update when i talk to the doctor and figure out my situation. Love and miss all of you!