To put into words the past week,would not do the adventure of it all justice. I set out on this trip to find myself, no one said It would take the whole journey to find what I'm looking for. I think I have found it, in New Jersey of all places. This post is to my newly found friends/family at the Blue Ridge Rescue Squad. Your kindness and generosity have affected me in a huge way and I will carry that with me for the remainder of my journey. I spent Mon-Weds taking emergency calls and enjoying life with the Blue Ridge Rescue Squad! In total 7 calls in the time I was there, from car wrecks to unconscious guidos in barber shops this past week was one for the booksI will be back in Sussex county more sooner than later, Kyle,Teddy,Dave,Jimmy,and the rest of you guys were the most openly friendly and caring people I've met along the trail. I am excited about the possibility of coming back and making Branchville or the surrounding area home. Kyle and Teddy, thank you both so much for letting in the random hiker.(Go mets lol ) dave thank you for the camera! Jimmy thank you for alowing me to take calls and stay in the squad house and for the ride back to the trail. All of you went so out of your way to help me out and I can't thank you enough. I will be back.... The miles started rolling by again, last night I stayed at Wildcat shelter after a break for water at the hardly flowing Fitzgerald falls, I pushed out 15.6 miles to the Fingerboard shelter. The deer are everywhere! Bella really wanted to play with them but they didn't seem as enthusiastic about the idea, she couldn't understand why they ran away, one day maybe. My next 3 mail drops will be AWESOME! Matt,Syl, and Blue Ridge squad thanks a ton! Also thanks to everyone else who has offered to help out with drops, I will let you guys know something soon. The light is beginning to fade and I still have a sub to eat ( thanks shelley and I think Rob for the hitch) bella is barking at the wind and somewhere in the distance some New York youth are enjoying a summer camp and ruining my tranquility! Oh well... Just hike your own hike!
Live vicariously through me.

-fresh
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Ask anyone what they think about when they think about New Jersey, I bet no one says bears or mountains. Turns out they have more bears per square mile than anywhere else on the trail, and the mountains here are gorgeous.Saw 2 small bears today, both took off up a tree after seeing me, I wanted a picture but I'm sure mama bear was close by so I pushed on with somewhat of a hurried pace. A lot of ridge walking with amazing views. Today was short my mail drop didn't make it so I only pushed 3 miles to Nj 206 to catch a ride into Newton ( on the other side of Branchville) for subway! After 2 subs and a full charge for the phone, I began my walk back to the trail, no real intents on where to stay. After a somewhat disturbing hitch from a guy looking for a good time, I came upon a fire and rescue station. I decided to knock and see how far off I was from the post office and the mountain. Score! The 2 people here are in their late 2O's and both work as volunteers along with the rest of their county fire. They let me pitch my tent in the backyard, got to take a hot shower, watched a few movies,and ate some ice cream. Bella scored some treats and a ball before passing out in the grass. The guy Kyle is going to take me back to the trail tomorrow morning and drop me a little further north so as not to lose pace. Over all a great night. Talked to Syl today, looking forward to the mystery box mail drop! Also matt thanks a ton for helping out with a mail drop, it really says and means a lot. I'll be out of Jersey by Friday and into New York and Connecticut in the next 2 weeks. Its been 21 days, 379 miles in 3 weeks!

-fresh
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After a night hike last night of 10 miles past the sunfish pond, which is the southern most glacial lake in the US. Saw a bear, a linx or bobcat, and atleast 7 deer finally pushing into the MOC at around 11 shared some beers and a couple glasses of wine with some locals out for the weekend. Packed out this morning at around 9 and after a great view from the catfish fire tower of the surrounding area, I pushed on with gorgeous weather...it wouldn't hold. The rain came shortly after lunch at rattle snake spring and at first it came soft, after a couple more miles it started pouring. Walking under high-voltage lines as they pop and crack in the rain does not feel safe. I decided to take a side trail to an old scout camp now owned by the park service. What a mistake this was. .8 down a dirt road the camp unfolded in all its abandoned creepy glory. Cabins and lodges in disarray over grown beaches, everywhere you looked had horror film written all over it. I found my way to the 2 supposed hiker shelters on the lake. One was falling in with a leaky roof, the other,though not much better than the first had to do, atleast it wasn't leaking. I made an early supper and decided to nap the rain away. I woke up around 6 and decided that if I stayed in that camp I would either wake up in the back of a van with no kidneys, in someone's basement, or dead. The rain stopped and the hiking commenced. I flew out of that camp. Caught an amazing sun set coming across rattlesnake mnt. As darkness fell and the moon rose the woods came alive. No bears tonight but plenty of scat. Night hiking is such a rush. Pushed out 7 more tonight and now I'm here at brink Rd shelter. Dragging feet tomorrow to catch a late mail drop in Branchville,NJ on tuesday. Tomorrow marks 21 days that I've been out here! Hope to hit New York by saturday...

-fresh
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Have I really come this far? Today was epic, longest mileage of my journey so far. Tomorrow, upon leaving the church of the mountain hostel I will cross a bridge, leaving Pennsylvania behind and entering into New Jersey, its literally like 150 yards from my tent. I can't believe I've gone through 3 states in under 3 weeks. Today felt great, nothing can stop me now. I'm starting to see clearly the destination before me, but I haven't lost sight of this amazing journey. Money is more than tight but that doesn't matter to me anymore. I don't need town ventures to finish this quest.
I love and yet I yearn for it as well. Distance does a lot of funny things to people, not sure how much of that is good. The spirits of several people keep me company at all times, I don't have to name you. You can't help but feel something spiritual out here, whether you believe or not. It moves through these mountains, a great force to be reckoned with. Being alone out here makes you look deep inward, brings the personal battles right to your face, and forces you to deal with them, any lesser person has dropped off by now, this is beyond a physical journey, its inside you. Its inside me. Live vicariously through me.

-fresh
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Spent almost 2 days here in Palmerton, Pa at the jail house hostel,its a free hostel in the basement of the old burough jail. Nothin fancy, afew racks and a hot shower. This town is great,people have been so generous and interested in my journey. Pushing onto Wind Gap today and New Jersey in the morning. Time for some shoutouts, Jess from O'neal's Pub hope to talk to and see you soon lol glad to be your hiker crush , Tara from the American Legion keep in touch , and a big shoutout to the crew at Subway in Palmerton, 4 times in 24 hours! Tried to see Old Crow Medicine Show last night,but couldn't score a ticket, oh well maybe next time. Hustling today to try and catch up with a few people ahead of me. I'm blogging from subway and I can see the rain on the horizon looks like its gonna be a wet one...great.

-fresh
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Short 10 mile day to Eckville shelter after a long night at windsor furnace...whiskey was involved. Only 60 more miles to Jersey. I want more subway!

-fresh

So apparently my blog updates from my phone are going a bit haywire, i'll try to fix the problem, but in the mean time just read them from bottom to top. After a heavy storm this morning I pushed out of Eagles Nest shelter and I am sitting at the public library in Hamburg, Pa. charging phone , checking email, and hitting up SUBWAY! Subway has become my Embassay everytime I get off trail. Looking forward to an Italian BMT here soon... Today marks 2 weeks that I've been out on the trail and Im putting in great miles, over 200 so far. I'm ready to be out of Pa, the rocks have been horrible, and the shelters here lately have been a little lacking. I'm stil looking for anyone interested in helping me with a mail drop, it would be greatly appreciated. send me an email at primobiker424@yahoo.com if you are interested. Even though i've only been out for 2 weeks the trail is helping me to see that people, both on and off the trail, are inhearantly good. Its also helping me to see people for who they really are, the truth and the lies in their words. I keep in touch with few people out here, some more than others, some I shouldn't speak to, and still others I should speak with more offen. My body has adjusted nicely and I feel I finally have my trail legs that will get me to Maine and then Home to Ga. Im not pushing for a shelter tonight, now that im carrying the tent, I think im gonna take a night to myself. My mind is still burdened with alot of baggage from home. Thats all I have. Live vicariously through me. And Sean, brother if you are reading this. I love you.

-fresh

t. Sent hammock home yesterday along with some other un needed gear, it was time for a shakedown, now I'm carrying an MSR hubba solo tent. Super light, s

ubway, battery charge, and possibly the Yuengling brewery tour if someone will hike on with bella. After Port Clinton its 5 miles to shelter for the nigh

pent 2 hours there for a good lunch/siesta. The cold water felt great on tired muscles. Tomorrow I'm gonna push 10 miles into Port Clinton for the day, s

ne Grove Pa.15 miles today with very little water in between. Came across an amazing spring fed swimming hole, 55 degree water and a killer rope swing, s

Its been a good 2 days. Yesterday's zero was much needed, got a lot done, laundry,resupply at the cheap amish grocer,and afew cold beers at O'neals in Pi

? os, and the hitch! Might zero out tomorrow to see the Yunegling brewery tomorrow,we'll see... Still having a great time...oh yeah CARLOS thanks for such

? Trail magic! Thanks to Jen for shuttling dutch and I around for 2+ hours and for your graciousness. Brett, thank you SOO much for the subway card!!! I b

? ought subway for everyone in the 501 tonight to share the trail magic. Also big thanks to the mystery cooler and to JZ for some great breakfast,cool phot

o eally big glow worm tonight. I'll post again when I can. Yerba mate' is an interesting herbal blend, gave me killer stamina...

-fresh

o saturday morning to catch my package before the post office closes at 11. Got some cool pictures today, saw a huge timber rattler and this guy found a r

o e trail I cleaned them and put them in a marinade,when I got into the shelter tonight I grilled them up over the fire with some instant mashed potatoes,

o il magic in the form of gatorade,water,and snacks from a guy named Webcatcher. Also scored 3 trout from a fisherman! When I stopped for lunch at horsesho

o (Written for yesterday) tonight is the first night without service. Pushed 18.5 into rousch gap shelter. At the first road crossing today scored some tra

? n Peter's Mountain shelter tonight, 17.5 miles to Roush Gap shelter tomorrow. Can't wait to hit the 501 shelter friday, google it!

-fresh

? get into Port Clinton by Saturday to get my mail drop from carlos and brett. Thanks again guys. All good tonight in the shelter,really nice breeze. I'm i

? a 6 pack of tall boys to enjoy in the shelter tonight lol why not? The next few days I will be moving fast over some relatively easy terrain. I have to

? n, rough terrain, and bella seemed to be having a bad one too. Once the sun came out and the vitamin D got flowing everything turned around. I packed in

? Tonight I am thankful for Pat and his wife at the Doyle Hotel, trail angel Mary, and brett the subway guy/ trail angel. Today started off really bad, rai

? e to get a new one...damn it. Tomorrow is a new day and I'm ready for the miles. Tendonitis in my right leg is getting better. Miss you all.

-fresh

? ready for the next 100 miles. Please feel free to send me personal emails, I will respond when I can. My headlamp still hasn't showed up, guess I'll hav

? tonight to recoop. This place is great, one of the few remaining Anhauser-busch hotels in the country. The owners are some of the nicest people I've met

? I was down today. the terrain into Duncannon was awful after all the rain yesterday,everything was slick, 11.5 miles felt like 15. I'm at the Doyle Hotel

Today started off good and is ending miserably. Boiling springs pa for mail drop and pizza. Had planned to take a zero day and stay in a hostel for the night but decided to press on anyways. 2 miles outside of boiling springs Bella gets bit by something and decides she aint walking anywhere. Luckily we were close to a road crossing where we caught a hitch into mechanicsburg Pa to see a vet. Turns out it was a spider bite. After 149$ and 3 hours off trail I got back to the trail 2 miles shy of my ending point for the day. Wasn't on the trail 2 min and the clouds opened up. I'm soaked, my gear is soaked,bella is soaked, and I'm tired n pissed off. Zeroing here tomorrow to dry out. Always stick to your plans! But the Pa countryside has been amazing. Saw a scarlet taniger yesterday and today.haven't seen any amish yet but I know they're out there, I can smell em. more to say but I'll type later.
-fresh

This morning I'm wondering if it is healthy that I continue talking to my ex while I'm out here. We text,call,or send pictures everyday. I love it but part of me feels like its unhealthy. We are supposed to be moving on with our lives but neither one of us can seem to deal without talking to the other, maybe its just me..I think so. My feelings for her haven't changed and I don't want to keep perpetuating something that's just gonna cause pain down the road.... On a higher note slept relatively well last night, there must be a scout camp close cause I swear at 7am I heard revilee over a loud speaker. Boiling springs today. Amish country here I come.

-fresh

The cold crept in and caught me off guard last night. Was up with a fire at 5 and out on trail by 6:30. After a short day today 8.5 miles to toms run shelter for lunch and a nap then a 7 mile yellow blaze from hell... Caught a hitch from a lady who swore she knew where I needed to go. 45 min into the Pa country side she decides she doesn't know where she's going and dumps me by some random tiny airport in Carslile Pa .. Luckily caught a 2nd hitch from an old eagle scout who knew right where I was trying to go,(thanks a lot Brent) Staying at Alex Kennedy shelter tonight. Tomorrow 4 mile push into Boiling Springs Pa for my mail drop and a crazy dinner theatre at this local hostel. Gonna start hitting farm country soon, over 70 miles of it. Easy terrain only conceals what's ahead.

-fresh

The rain came down heavy last night and this morning. Played a game of chess just before the clouds opened. Today was great, the rain cooled everything off nicely and left a great breeze. Pushed out 17.6 miles today and tonight myself and 5 others split the cost of a campsite here at Pine Grove Furnace state park Pa. The reason for such big miles today was for icecream lol. The park has a camp store with a hiker tradition called the half gallon challenge. Even with bella's help I just couldn't do it. Stomac is still hurting. All in all though its been a great day. The miles are flying by in Pa. Tomorrow I'm making a 20 mile push to Boiling Springs,Pa to catch my mail drop Monday morning. Did I mention I got to take a shower!? It was great. Good company again tonight and after some hot dogs and some stories I'm gonna call it a night.

-fresh

Another 15+ mile day. Pushed from deerlick shelter into Caledonia Park Pa. Caught a hitch from a super nice elderly couple .3 off the trail to a little green grocer for a resupply.Nerver grocery shop hungry, bought way too much weight. Caledonia park was great, got in around 1ish. They had a pool! Paid 4 bucks for entry and laid around pool til around 5:30 then made our final 2.6 mile push to Quary gap shelter. Almost had a turkey dinner but after 13 miles bella just couldn't keep with it lol. This is the nicest shelter I have ever stayed in. I will post a picture of it as soon as I figure out how. Just finished up a game of chess with babalu. Rain is supposed to come through tonight so I'm stayin in the shelter. I really want to put in 17 miles tomorrow but idk if bella has it in her we shall see. Busy day lots to type but too tired tonight.

-fresh

Another hot one today,but I feel like my body is adapting quite well. We pushed out 15.6 miles today crossing the Mason Dixon into Pennsylvania. Hit trail around 8:30 and pushed out a quick 10 into Pen Mar state park. Beat the heat there for about 4 hours, charging my phone and enjoying some delivery from Bobby D's pizza lol. After lunch pushed out 5.6 miles crossing state lines and ending tonight at deer lick shelter Pa. Not sure where or what the deer are licking, but I digress. Cabana boy and dutch tape hitched into town today picked me up some instant breakfast. They rock its a younger guy and an older chick, he's 40 something and she's 60 something lol they are bee keepers...Tired tonight,but feeling good. Not sure on miles tomorrow, bella's pooped,I'll see what she's like in the am. Nice breeze tonight, hope it doesn't rain, shelters' full and I'm in the hammock... no tarp. Fingers crossed.

-fresh

Well today has been another great day! Ended up not leaving the shelter after cabana boy and dutch tape showed up with 3 pizzas,salad,rootbeer,and pepsi! What a treat! Can't hike on that kind of meal! Lots of people here tonight,some old some new. Its been a good time. The sun has been down over an hour but I'm still sweating! Hammocking tonight then in the morning its on to PA! My first resupply is gonna be in Boiling Springs,Pa, its another 59 miles from here so I'll get there in around 4 days. Bella seems to be doing better although she remains rather timid around everyone..other than baldy,go figure.. I'm full and feeling great, good company and an all around good time. The bugs seemed to have calmed down today as well either that or they couldn't take the heat either. 105 today. Off to hear some horrible pan flute lol.

-fresh

Well bella seemed better this morning so after filling up on water we put down 8.5 miles to the ensign P Cowall memorial shelter. Gonna catch lunch and a nap here,beat the heat for a while then its on for 5 more miles to devils racecourse. Last night while enjoying some good company, a section hiker showed up with a cooler with what else but COLD BEER! 2 things of trail magic in one day, I feel blessed. Tomorrow if all goes to plan I'll cross into Pennsylvania and start hitting some really rocky terrain. Its mating season for daddy long-legs, they are literally everywhere! Thousands of them, black ones,white ones, red , brown its crazy. Tonight I have a good meal planned, a little backpacker veggie speghetti looking forward to it.. Hope to update later, battery is at half charge now so no telling how long I have or if I'll have service. Time for lunch and a nap.

-fresh

Well today has been great and bad all at once. After my last update we discovered some trail magic in the form of a cooler full of ice cold BEER! Courtesy of Lumbar Jack. It was old bohemian which we definantly do not have down south. Drank 2 of them then decided to catch a hitch into Boonsboro Maryland for some subway! Between the beer and the sub I didn't feel like hiking and the last 5.1 miles into pine knob shelter kicked my ass! Now onto the bad news, Bella has an injury. She has pulled a muscle in her back right leg. Its not too serious but I don't think we'll do heavy miles tomorrow just so she can recover. I'll be in Pennsylvania in just under 25 miles so hopefully by friday. Gonna hit up the ben and jerry's plant and the magic hat brewery. I stink to high hell but I'm feeling great! Only 2149.5 miles til I'm home.

-fresh

Another great day of hiking and still manage to have cell signal. Got on the trail at 10 til 7 this morning and put in 7.2 miles to dahlgren backpacker campsite where I'm gonna beat the heat for afew hours then push 5 more miles to pine knob shelter for the night. The hike this am was great ate a ton of wild blue berries! Met up with some more great people too. Passed a garder snake that was eating a toad such a random sight. Might try to catch a hitch from here into town. There's an ice cream place that has some kind of half gallon challenge,lol bring it on. Learned a new game today lol its called lighter toss its very similar to hacky sack but instead of your feet you use the tops of your hands. That's all I have for now. Will update tonight from pine knob if I have service.

-fresh

Ended up pushing out 12.4 miles today. Tonight I'm in the crampton gap shelter along with a few other northbounders, wounded knee, foodnetwork,tree beard, baldy, and mrs pinky jones. I've officially received the trail name "fresh" since I look so fresh to all these 1000 milers. Its seems its gonna be harder than I thought to escape technology and society lol I've had signal every time I turn my phone on!. The terrain has been beautiful this is all unknown new country to me.. The light is beginning to fade and all over the mountains the birds are singing I'm still a little uneasy but its so peaceful out here I know with time it'll fade. Early start in the morning. I leave you all now. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

-fresh and bella

I'm finally on the trail! Rolled into harpers ferry at 11:35 and booked it off the train! Got water at a cool little pub and got on the trail. I've gone about 7 miles on some pretty easy trail and I'm stopped for lunch at the Edward B Garvey shelter. Its really really nice( matt look it up on google). Bella seems to be hanging in there we're going through a lot of water! At the next resupply I'll probably get a bigger camel back. The next few days will be short. Temps here are supposed to hit triple digits by wednesday and the humidity reminds me of home. Seceral people on my mind as I sit here most of you know who you are. Also a big hello to all the people I met on the train following my progress it was nice meeting all of you. Carla thanks so much for looking after bella on the train so I could eat,we both appreciate it. Gonna eat and rest a bit than its 3 miles to camp for the night. Adios!

Its 12:20 and I can't get her off my mind and outta my heart. I can't get on the trail fast enough. Sleep will be difficult tonight.

Its 12:20 and I can't get her off my mind and outta my heart. I can't get on the trail fast enough. Sleep will be difficult tonight.

day 2 redux

Chicago is way too big for me and bella. This 5 hour lay over is taking its toll on both of us. Bella and her backpack have gotten us a fair share of interesting looks and questions. Apparently dogs don't take the train too offen. We took a mini tour of the city before returning to the comforts of the great union station... The sears tower is HUGE! I was able to see it 30 min before our train even got into Chicago. I'm writing to pass the time,our train doesn't leave til 6:40 central time then its one last 16 hour train ride before the journey really begins. Thanks again to all of you following my trip.

-see you down the trail

day 2

Rail travel is definantly the way to see the country. Been on the rails now bout an hour,and believe it or not there are several really cool people on the train,couple of really cute chicks too. I know the mile high club is on a plane what do they call it on a train? Lol joking.

-see you down the trail

Day 1

Thank you all for choosing to follow my blog. Tomorrow morning my train Leaves out of Du Quoins, Illinois bound for Harpers Ferry, West Virginia where I will begin my hike north. I hope to update once a week if possible, maybe more, maybe less. A lot has led up to me leaving out on this trip. I'm using this time to find my purpose, because after high school it seems my life has fallen by the way side and lost its purpose, God knows I've made more than my share of bad decisions. This trip couldn't come at a better time and I see great things on the horizon. One foot in front of the other is all I'm trying to accomplish, anything more and I won't make it. I will miss all of you, some more than others, but that doesn't matter. keep me in your thoughts and prayers. If you are possibly interested in sending anything to me while I'm out there, please contact me via email and I'll do my best to let you know my prospected mail drop points.

-see you down the trail