Day 0

​Day 0

Starting location: Lafayette IN

Ending location: Lafayette IN

Mileage today: 0.0

Total Mileage: 0.0

Today’s Photo

The story behind this photo ... 

So just testing Day One online journaling app to see if it will work for our upcoming AT hike. So the boys and I are just at the Faith skatepark one last time before heading out tomorrow to PA and the Owen’s home! Getting everything packed up and our backpacks weighed. I am a little worried about the weight of each of the boys pack since they are on the high end of max weight for them. I may have to carry more of their gear. 

Darlington Shelter.jpg

Darlington Shelter.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

Day 7 (tuesday)

Today was my longest and easiest hike of my AT hike yet. I hiked 18.2 miles to the Darlington shelter. I am now 1124 miles from springer and 1052.2 from katahdin.

Today's hike was basically flat for 14 miles. I hiked across many farms, which was a nice change of scenery. Nothing out of the ordinary happened today, except it was another perfect fall day to hike.

I did catch u to Jeff, a section hiker from N.C. so it was nice to chat with him.

One thing about this shelter...actually 2 things. One, it has a mailbox as you can see in the picture. It houses the shelter log. I thought it was kindof funny. Two, it has the biggest privy on the trail yet. It has 2 seats in there and enough room to even set up a one man tent. It is called the Tajmahal. It is a sight to behold.

Well only 11.9 more miles into Duncannon for tomorrow.

Shepherd.

More PA Boulder Scrambles.jpg

More PA Boulder Scrambles.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

Day 6 (Monday).

Wow. I am glad this day is in the books. As you can see from the picture, most of my hike consisted of climbing over these huge boulders. They are fun at times, but am just waiting to lose my balance and sprain my ankle. Thankfully God has been merciful on me. To Him be the glory!.

Well today I hiked 15.5 miles to the Alex Kennedy shelter. I also broke the 1100 mile barrier today. I am officially 1105.8 miles from Springer and 1070.4 miles from Katahdin.

I had a nice night at the Ironmaster mansion hostel, but it wasnt the best one I have been to.

I have about 30 more miles and 2 days until I reach Duncannon and finish this section of the trail. I have really been enjoying God's creation and the fall weather.

Shepherd.

Ice cream sandwhich challenge.jpg

Ice cream sandwhich challenge.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

Day 5...post 2.

Well today I officially have completed over 50% of the AT. I hiked 17.3 miles to the Pine Grove Furnance State Park. I am 1090.3 miles from springer & 1085.9 from katahdin. I am staying in the Ironmaster mansion hostel, which pretty nice. I also just had my first shower in 5 days, and am doing some laundry to get rid of the hiker funk.

Also to my surprise, the general store was open, which is the official site of the half gallon challenge. In case u r wondering, this is a thruhiker tradition to comsume a whole half gallon of ice cream at the half way point. You get a small wooden spoon as a trophy if u finish. I, since am not a thruhiker anymore. declined to gorge myself with 3500 calories. I decided to do the ice cream sandwhich challenge instead. I ate it in a personal best time of 2:15 secs

Thankfully I did get to witness a sobo hiker set a new record doing the challenge. Rocketman ate coffee flavor half gallon in 15 mins flat. It was a site to behold.

Shepherd.

Birch Run Shelter.jpg

Birch Run Shelter.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

Day 5..post 1.

I didnt stay at this shelter, but it is always fun to see what the next shelter is like. This one actually has a gutter system on both sides, which I thought was hilarious. The things u see.

Shepherd.

Pennsylvania Famous Rocks.jpg

Pennsylvania Famous Rocks.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

Day 4...post 2.

Today i hiked 15.8 miles to the Quarry Gap Shelter. I am 1073 miles from Springer and 1103.2 miles to Katahdin.

Today I officially am on plan B of my hike. I had originally wanted to get to the Delaware Water gap in 14 days, but would of had to avg 20 miles per day. Even though this section in relatively flatter than the rest of the trail, my body isnt quite in shape enough to do it. So now I am taking an 8 day hike into Duncannon, which is about 15.5 mile avg...which is abbout what my body can handle. Plus the daylight hours to hike are getting shorter by the day.

Also here is a picture of some of the famous boulder scrambles that litter most of PA. They are fun at first but get old quickly. lol. I guess there are more to come.

Anyhoo... I am still enjoying being out her and taking my time seeing the changing of the colors...plus I will actually be home for our 7 yr anniversy.

Shepherd.

Tumbling Run Shelter.jpg

Tumbling Run Shelter.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

Day 4...post 1.

I didnt stay at this shelter but did stop to eat a snickers bar. Well there is a fued going on between this shelter and the Quarry Gap Shelter, which I am staying at tonight, to see who has the best shelter.

At the tumbler shelter they have these nice signs to separate the snorers from the non-snorers. I thought it was very original. Although, I have to vote the Quarry Gap shelter the better of the two.

Shepherd.

Maryland Penn state line.jpg

Maryland Penn state line.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

Day 3.

Actually this isnt the official state line sign, but the official one has been missing for years...so this is a close to it I could find.

I hiked 14.5 miles today and finished my 6th state today. Woo hoo. Only 8 more to go. I am 1057.2 miles from Springer and 1190 miles to katahdin.

I also crossed the famous Mason-Dixon line, so i am officially a yankee now. I would of whistled dixie if I would of knew how. lol. Also now that i am in the north, they pronounce the AT differently than in the south.

Shepherd.

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Annapolis Rocks.jpg

Annapolis Rocks.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

Day 2...post 2.

Today I was able to eat lunch at the Annapolis rocks. what gorgeous views and great weather. Although I dont know why they call then Annapolis rocks since it is nowhere near the city.

I hiked 15.7 miles today to the eensign cowall shelter. I am 1042.7 miles from Springer and 1133.5 from katahdin.

The rocks have been picking up to get us ready for pa. woo hoo. Should cross the mason dixon line tomorrow.

Happy birthday mom!

Shepherd.

1st Washington Monument.jpg

1st Washington Monument.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

Day 2..post 1.

This is the 1st Washington Monument that was erected in 1827 by yhe people of Maryland. It isnt quite as impressive as the current monument in DC, but the views are still impressive from up on top. It is amazing how much history there is around here.

Shepherd.

Old Civil War Memorial.jpg

Old Civil War Memorial.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

Well today I finallly made it back out on the trail. I got started about 1:30 pm, and hiked 15.5 miles to the rocky run shelter. I have now hiked 1027 miles from Springer mnt and have 1149.2 miles to Katahdin.

Today was a beautiful windy day with only 1 or 2 big ups then alot of flat rocky areas. i am going to be sore tomorrow.

Man, i dont know why i hiked 1011 miles of the at without hiking poles, because today I got to finally see what i was missing. They rock!

also today my streak of never sleeping alone on the trail will end tonight. I am the only one at this shelter. I was hoping to get another 1.8 miles to dahlen campgrounds that have toilets ut didnt have enough daylight. oh well, my body will thank me tomorrow for stoping where i did.

Today I saw 3 runners, 2 dogs and one snake. I am not up on my snake id, but i did take a pic of it. well now time for dinner.

God bless
Shepherd.

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AT Sign.jpg

AT Sign.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

4 hour rental car drive: $$$
20 mile taxi cabb ride: $$
Actually hiking 15.5 mile on AT: Priceless!

Shepherd.

Heading back to the Appalachian Trail for 2 weeks!

Well many of you may not realize that this blog was initially a blog about my attempt to thru-hike the 2175 miles of the Appalachian Trail in 2008 (that is why the address is hikingfool and my trail name was Shepherd), but I was only able to make it 1011 miles before getting injured. Then I got into couponing and being frugal with our money and morphed the hiking blog into the coupon blog you see today.

So, for the next 2 weeks I will temporarly be not blogging about coupons and deals but of the 270 miles I plan to hike on the AT. I will be starting out in Harper's Ferry, WV and hiking (Lord willing) to the Delaware Water Gap in NJ. So I will be hiking through Maryland and Pennsylvania this time!

So if you are interested in seeing what my adventures will be as I brave the outdoors, please enjoy. I will be posting something daily as long as I have cell phone signal...so if you dont see anything for a day or two...dont worry, there will be something soon!

Then after this trip I will resume the couponing and deals to help everyone save a few bucks here and there grocery shopping (probably around Oct. 23)

God bless,
Shepherd.

Tent City.jpg

Tent City.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

Well today I am in Damascus in tent city. It is where everyone sets up there tents or tarps to spend each night. It will get more packed as the days go on.

Today I woke up at 7:30 and chilled out around town. Then I went to a ultra light gear talk which was very informative. Soon after they had a reunion time to meet up with old friends. I have only met 2 hikers I knew from 08 as of yet.

Then I went to a talk on a guy who did the Florida Thruhike of 1100 miles and then a film of the first guy who hiked the whole America Discovery Trail in 16 months. I am in a talk about thr last 180 miles of the AT in Maine.

Soon it will be time to eat and enjoy the night. So far having a great time.

Enjoy,
Shepherd.

Heading to Trail Days - Damascus, VA!

As some of you may of known, I hiked 1012 miles of the Appalachian Trail last year. You can read my blog here about my AT 2008 Hike. It is in chronological order from the very beginning to the end at Harper's Ferry. I hope you enjoy!

Well every year in Damascus, VA, they have a 3 day festival for hikers who have hiked or are hiking the Appalachian Trail! It is a place to reunite with old friends from the trail and share stories and just have fun. Here is the link to Trail Days if you want to check it out!

So I will be posting entries from my phone while down in Damascus, but unfortunelty wont be to on top of coupon deals for the next couple of days!

Enjoy,
Shepherd.