Ta-Ta Pennsylvania...Hola New Jersey

Greetings from Jersey! We just recently completed Pennsylvania (now 7 out of the 14 AT states hiked), and are happy to be done with the rocks. As expected, the terrain did a number on our shoes and feet.

We had some sun recently (even a couple days in a row). It was nice to be dry for a more extended time period. However, we were stuck in some thunderstorms. It is quite scary to be on the mountain when a storm rolls in. The storm that we were in a few days ago injured 4 hikers a bit north of where we were hiking. They were not hit directly but were rescued from the trail. We are very thankful that we escaped any injury.

For the past 3 days, we have taken a break from the trail. We spent the days at the Jersey Shore with some fellow hikers. The Caporale's were kind and generous to open their home to us. We were well fed, and clean. We will miss Clemencia (who we have hiked with for the past 6 weeks or so).


May is a popular month for hunting along the AT. Thank goodness "Dirty Mess" wore an orange bandana.

"Too Klean" contemplates hitching home to Chicago.

"Dirty Mess" poses on top of Washington Monument in Maryland.

A rock maze lets hikers know which direction they need to go to get to Maine or Georgia.

"Too Klean" on an overlook in PA.

We stayed at a shelter that had a resident porcupine. It would come throughout the night to chew on the wood. We were told they are typically sodium-deficient. They like to chew the wood where sweaty hikers sit. It kept "Dirty Mess" up all night with its frequent visits.

Checking out the elevation profile and figuring out mileage for the next day.

We stopped at a motel near the AT to get clean water. The nice owner gladly filled us up even though we didn't stay there. Every time we fill up, we have to unpack and repack our packs.

"Too Klean" and "Canada" cross the PA-NJ stateline. "Too Klean" gives her feet a break and wears Crocs. Yea!

Thru-hikers eating a delicious dinner at the Caporale's house. Good food...Good Company! It was a great visit and nice to be off the trail for 3 days.


Playing bocce ball.


"Too Klean" & Clemencia boating on the Jersey Shore.

"Too Klean" & Clemencia dodging balls on the boardwalk.

"Too Klean", Clemencia, and "Dirty Mess", on the Jersey Shore. How far is the Atlantic Ocean from the Appalachian Trail? We didn't hike there.


Our last night in Pennsylvania we decided to cowboy camp (sleeping under the stars without a tent). It was a cold, clear night...perfect sleeping weather.

"Whoot...whooot!!"


After a severe thunderstorm, we painfully set up camp. Everything was soaked, but we were glad to make it to camp safetly. Four hikers were splashed by lightening that night and had to be rescued. They were a bit north of where we were. Thunderstorms are always freaky.


"Canada", Clemencia & "Too Klean" have a meeting! They are planning the next few days.


"Dirty Mess" climbs out of Palmerton, PA. It was a tough rock climb.


All rocks and very steep. Our pace was definitely slow!

Grabbing a hitch back to the trail. On the way into town, we got a hitch from the Palmerton Fire Chief. We thought we were going to get busted for hitching when he pulled over. But it was pouring rain, and we think he felt sorry for us.

These types of signs of very common along AT trail towns. Because we only have 1 outfit, laundry is always an interesting situation.


The police in Palmerton, PA allow thru-hikers to crash in borough hall. We had to give them all our info and SSNs. I guess we don't have warrants out for our arrests because they didn't raid the place. We found tons of decorations which got us even more excited for our Jersey Shore stop.


We toured the Yuengling Brewery (Pottsville, PA) - America's Oldest Brewery. They don't distribute in Chicago, but it is our brand choice on the trail.

A Lady Slipper. We were excited to see a flower (but expected after the TONS of rain).

A former Anheuser-Busch motel located in Duncannon, PA. The Doyle Hotel is over 100 years and very hiker friendly.

"Too Klean" road walking in Pennsylvania.


A solar shower. A hose & holding tank heats up if there is sun. For us, it was CHILLY and a short shower. No complaints...we were clean!