Patrick M

6/18/26 Afternoon Monsoon! The morning was fine, but we knew there was potential for some after rain showers. Let me just point out that, to me, showers are defined as enough to rinse the shampoo from Ms. Acorn’s hair (not mine, as I have so few hairs on my head). What we got this afternoon was a full on dousing, sort of like Forrest Gump “sideways rain”, accompanied by a VERY stiff gale. My rain jacket & kilt put up a courageous fight, ...

6/23/26 About 16 miles today. The trail was beautiful, with a lot of variety. We thought that it might be a dry day, until we sauntered through a couple of open fields…wet grass/weeds = soaking feet & legs. Mike and I chatted about anything and everything, and the miles rolled by. Soon enough, we crossed the bridge over the White River, and stepped into New Hampshire! Then it was onto Dartmouth. We picked up Mike’s vehicle. ...

Only 2.5 miles hiked down into Gorham, NH today, for a Nero at the Libby Hostel. The usual town tasks occurred, including shower, laundry and food resupply.

We stayed at The Cabin hostel last night. It was “Honey's” 94th birthday ( same as my sister's!), so we had cake and ice cream. Honey is an AT legend, having hosted AT hikers for decades. We also heard some good stories and viewed the memorabilia in the dining room, including all the hiker signatures under the table top. The most famous being, Earl Shafer, the first AT thru-hiker!

Third time is a charm…I slack-packed again, for the 3rd time. My four other hiking peeps (Wind Walker, Gray Fox, Birdman & Pole Dancer) were going north to South, over the Bigelows (mountains), the last big peaks before Katahdin, or so we are told. I was in…I have been losing too much weight and needed an “easy” day.

I set out for the Ranger kiosk, about a half mile away, to sign up for a spot at The Birches Campsite. There are only 12 spots available each day. We all managed to get a spot, and then returned to our campsite to leisurely eat breakfast and pack up. Pizza left first, and I headed out about 10:30am, to hike the 10 miles to The Birches.

After an AT hiker survives Katahdin, he/she generally needs to find a way home, or their next destination. For me, it was home, sweet, home for less than a week, before heading back to Harpers Ferry for the southern leg of my journey. First, the shuttle from the Appalachian Trail Hostel picked us up in Baxter State Park and brought us to the hostel in Millinocket. The next day, Birdman, and I were catching the bus from Medway to Bangor, and flying out later in the day.

Mrs. Acorn and I headed back down to Harpers Ferry, WV on 8/3. We arrived at around 5pm and got set up in our suite at The Lighthorse Inn. Then we walked down to Lower Town for dinner at The Rabbit Hole. We hiked back up the hill for a nightcap at Snallygasters (cafe/drinks). Then it was to bed, long travel day!

A Walk in the Park 8/8/26 18.1 miles; Stealth campsite I managed to get a good nights sleep in the shelter last night, perhaps because I had it all to myself. Plus, there was plenty of white noise. The wind was blowing through the trees, and Katydids chirped the night away, just like home. I began hiking about 7:30am. I crossed the northern border of the Shenandoah NP within the first half mile – exciting! Next, ...

8/15/26 20.8 miles; Maupin Field Shelter Let me backtrack for a moment…yesterday, after exiting Shenandoah NP and some ups & downs, including walking by a few cell towers. I met up with my trail buddy, El Cheapo, who picked me up at Rockfish Gap. After a resupply at Wallyworld, we headed to his abode. He and his wife have a beautiful house back in the woods. We were greeted by their three dogs. I also met El Cheapo’s mother-in-law, ...