So, the first guy I meet in the trail asks me if I have a trail name.  I say no but my blog is titled “Gray In TheWoods.”  “Gray Dog,” he says. “No, “Greyhound,” he says.   I say, “No way.  I’m too slow!” He thinks and says, “Gray Dawn!” It’s a very beautiful dog. […]

I’ve just eaten a bag of pretzels, a Quarter Pounder with cheese, French fries, and chased it with a large bottle of Gatorade and a medium shake! Guess I was hungry. What a great day. I climbed to Weverly Cliffs: Then descended into Harper’s Ferry. Found this on the way.  Hence, the cheeseburger and milkshake. […]

Yes, I’m smiling after all this pain, exhaustion, semi-delirium, dirt, nausea, nose blowing, sneezing and diarrhea. Why? Because I started this 4 day hike with a cold, and went anyway. Because I smiled and was pleasant to EVERYONE I saw. No matter how I felt. I had a so many quick connections with complete strangers. […]

I’m off! Thanks Rhonda for taking me to the border and for the photo. Still nervous excited! Lots of “Trail Names” out here.  Met “Tripod” and “Ranger Rick!” They were beaming; at the end of their section. I asked them about water , they weren’t sure. Huh? Turns out they did the ” motel between […]

Ahhhhhhhhhhh. I’m waiting for my ride to the PA-MD line. My pulse must be approaching 70! (It’s usually about 48)  I’m excited/scared. What was I thinking? No shower until Monday night? No normal food. No clean clothes. No people. (Sorta like that)  I don’t know if I can walk this far with a pack on […]

I’m here in Harper’s Ferry!  Couldn’t sit still so I came early. I’m in the Knights Inn…I can feel the ghosts of a hundred hikers who have showered here and attacked the diner across the street for burgers. I may do just that. I’ve booked a room for Monday night.  I am not thinking that […]

Did you do that when you were a kid? Measure the time to an exciting event by how many sleeps were left? I did.  I still do. On Friday morning I will shower at 5AM.  By 5:20 I will be on the road to Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia. Why, you say?  To leave my car […]

There’s nothing for me quite like dawn. My father used to get his 3 boys up in the dark to go fishing. Those mornings we’re magic to me.  Now they are some of my fondest memories. Every morning feels a little like that to me now.  Every one. This is the view from Dan’s Pulpit. […]

This is my only photo!  Next time I will shoot more. Yesterday was about finishing and yes we finished! Me and my friend Karma (I know it’s bad English but I had to put me first in the sentence)  with a guest appearance by our friend John P. We started just after 0500 with headlamps […]

This hike was different today from all the others.  It was meant to be just a training day in preparation for my first attempt at 20. Karma invited me. Karma is a hiker.  An expert hiker and very good friend. I feel honored that she asked me.  Karma has Thru-Hiked the Appalachian Trail. She has […]