One other thing PA is known for are the copperheads and timber rattlers that hang out in the rocks. We were at a shelter just inside the PA border one morning when Chris had just gotten out of the shelter and onto the wood platform below. I’d just let the air out of my mattress when I thought I heard someone else letting theirs out too. Chris looked at his electronics bag thinking it was making the noise, when we looked at each other and I said that I thought it was a snake. Sure enough, right behind my boots was a timber rattler, pissed off that we’d woken up.…

Our first nasty snake of the trail. This was by the Manasses Gap shelter in Northern Virginia.

When we got back on the trail we noticed a pink bloom. It took us a second to realize it was a rhododendron blooming…we didn’t think we’d see them blooming. That week back after Ashleigh’s funeral was tough and I had some crying episodes and after we got down off of Dragon’s Tooth someone had left a blossom on a rock and it was just when I was thinking of Ashleigh and home. Then I decided that that would be my way of Ashleigh saying hi to me. Of course now that the rhododenrons aren’t blooming anymore and we are lower than their elevation I am having to find other…

Hug a tree! 2nd largest tree on the AT. The Eastern Continental Divide. Chris on McAfee Knob. Me on McAfee Knob. Ain’t no way I’m sitting on the edge! The Guillotine.

Misti’s brother here. She called me late this afternoon and wanted me to let everyone know that they are doing fine. Alive and well. They are in some town right now, but there is no computer access. They have had a rough last couple of days. Heading to Shenandoah National Park this week and are looking forward to blackberry milkshakes. Should be checking in at Harper’s Ferry. That is all.