Hey there readers! I am now officially done with Pennsylvania! 230 miles done in 11 days. I did a 32 mile day (my biggest ever) on friday and made it to the border. I hiked that day from 7am to 10:15pm and then took a day off yesterday where it was founder's day here in Delaware Water Gap PA. They had a classic car show and steam engines and a rubber duck race in the river where it was hikers vs little kids. It's already been such an amazing trip and I keep running into cool small town events like these. I didnt see my PA porcupine unfortunately but I have seen lots of other cool wildlife. So far my count for the whole trail is 16 bears, 3 rattlesnakes, 1 wild hog, about 20 feral ponies, 1 grey fox, 1 weasel, lots of groundhogs, turtles, other snakes,rabbits and too many deer to count. Also tons of birds, hawks and falcons. But I still have 800+ miles to see a porcupine and further up, a moose. A lot of people ask if I can still finish in time for school to start seeing as I still have 800+ miles. The answer is Yes! I feel like a machine right now easily knocking out 20+ mile days. If I can keep up my current pace and get past Hanover New Hamshire by the end of July (400 miles from here) than I should be able to finish by the time the fall semester starts back up. It's not going to be necessarily easy as hiking is a lot of hard work and hiking 20 miles a day means a lot of long days. But, my muscles have grown significantly in my legs, I have slimmed down from what I see about 30 lbs, so Im pretty lean now, and I have figured out how to hike big miles with a light amount of food so that my bag is just a little bit lighter. I dont know when the next time Ill be able to update this will be, but I should finish up with New Jersey(75) miles in a few days and will be well into New York by the end of the week. Hope everyone reading this and all of my friends and family are doing well,
signing off and walking on, HULK

New Boots

Hulk spent the night in Duncannon at the 'world famous' Doyle Hotel. He was wet and tired, getting in around 8 pm. The trail in was 1/2 mud and farmland and 1/2 rocks and mountains. Even with the 3 am fire alarm he got a real meal, a good nights sleep, did laundry and got new Northface Hedgehog boots. The old ones kept him going for 673 miles. Although a little tired of walking he is loving the hiker life, meeting many new people (veggiesteve) and seeing the country. Hoping to see a porcupine in Pennsylvania.....

PS - Thank you to Polly and Stella for the food and company at PennMar Park last Sunday!

PSS - Thanks to Uncle Ed for the birthday assets (helped to buy the boots).

PennMar Park

Hulk is now in Pennsylvania. He had a nice but rocky hike in Maryland, more climbs than he expected from the topo map at ATC.

When he got to the PennMar Park (.02 miles from Penn.) there was a great view and a Summer Concert with lots of food (nice people), music and dancing. So, 3 states done (Va, W Va, Maryland) and many more coming.

Heres the Pics.

http://picasaweb.google.com/HUlLKhikesAT/At02?authkey=Gv1sRgCNDj8ra40e3_qwE# These are all my photos up to Harpers Ferry.
http://picasaweb.google.com/HUlLKhikesAT/At02?authkey=Gv1sRgCNDj8ra40e3_qwE#
These are from DC.

Half Way

Well I made it Harper's Ferry West Virginia yesterday. It was a huge day. First of all, June 10th was my 22nd birthday, but I had forgotten all about that when I woke up at the Bear's Den hostel yesterday. Yesterday I hit 550 miles of the trail hiked this summer! On top of that it marked 1000 miles of the whole trail hiked since 2007. And Im finally out of Virginia, another big accomplishment. Now I can start knocking down states a lot more quickly. Also Tyler and my Dad came up to visit me and spend today in DC. We all had a blast. Its been absolutely amazing to see how God has been working in my life this summer and seeing that when I abide in him, just how he is able to provide wonderful things for me. There are tons of struggles with the size of this trip, the physical toughness, the ticks and hopefully not looming lyme disease, dangerous animals, lightning storms, freezing weather, etc. But the gifts provided to me have been innumerable including beautiful views, new friends, great conversations, exciting new experiences and much more. I wish I had more time to tell more stories. The pictures I'm posting will have to work for now though. Hope you all enjoy.-HULK

Skyland Lodge

Hulk is travelling with a large band of thru-hikers (Mud, Giddyup, Porkchop, Sneaks, Flyby, Joker, Beefight, Mosey, Gator, Earlybeard, Goodspot, Rattler). Saw a fawn, still wobbly on its feet, salamanders, more rattlesnakes, and this morning a bear. He spent the night at Skyland Lodge and a nice couple with a 'Pay it Forward' attitude picked up the dinner and drinks tab. Thanks mister man. Getting a late 11 am start back on the trail.

Shenandoah National Park

Put together from various phone calls and texts.....Hulk is enjoying Shenandoah, lots of deer and nice views. Since Lexington, hiked with Troubador and Rocktopus to Rustys Hard Time Hollow (delightful place, 1.3 miles off trail) T and R are going to take it a little slower, so after a morning prayer, Hulk is pushing ahead on his own again. Spent Sunday night at Paul C. Wolf Shelter (cool creek). Made it to Waynesboro the next day Monday June 1st for food and supplies. Just now I think he is heading to Loft Mountain campground (415 down / 1300 miles to go). Needs to do +/- 20 mile days to make it to his birthday (22nd) goal in Harper's Ferry and through another state (Virginia). Dad and Brother Tyler will meet him there for a day off to visit DC and friend Ozzie Mutts.