Charleston, West Virginia
Kanawha Trail Club

Mustang Sally-Vermont

August 19th, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off
Hello everyone:
 
Here it is August 15th.  I’m planning to leave tomorrow before noon.  I love this town.  It’s so walkable. Nice historical buildings that are cared for and used.  Some empty storefronts, but what city doesn’t have that problem.  People are very friendly.
 
I’m staying at a hostel that is also a restaurant; vegie.  It’s run by one of the twelve tribes (religious order) where all the people work for the better good of the whole group; they live and work together.  Not too bad; they don’t push themselves on you as far as their religion.  Instead of paying (which is twenty dollars a night), they like you to work for stay.  I’ve had the joy of working in their bakery.  What a good time I’ve had there and the products they produce are very good too.  They make all their own bread, which they sell along with muffins and cookies.
 
Hope to leave tomorrow but first I have to go to the Long Trail festival. My friend from down south is a mover and a shaker in the organization. 
 
Have decided to give the AT eight more weeks and then wherever I’m at I’m getting off and coming home. Will fill in the holes that I have left next August.
 
Still raining up here almost everyday in the afternoon.  The newspapers are saying that this area will be getting more than their average rainfall thru the end of November.
 
Went to the local farmer’s market up here and what a crop!  Most of it was grown organic.
Could have gotten a gallon of maple syurp
for $44.00.  It was very temping as I always use the real stuff.  Just no comparison.
 
Not sure how far I will get before I leave the trail, but I hope to get to thru Connecticut and/or New Jersey.
 
Got my backpack loaded and I’m rested.  If I hike everyday at least 12 miles in 56 days I can do a total of 672 miles.  I plan to get into the resupply towns early and get back on the trail that same day and do a few miles to complete the 12 miles I need each day.  We will see. 
 
I’m well and happy.  Going to have to buy news clothes when I get back home as I’ve lost so much weight.  I need to update my wardrobe anyway.
 
That’s all from Rutland, Vermont.  Will write when I get to Manchester.  Take care.
 
Me:  Mustang Sally

Mustang Sally-Vermont

August 6th, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off
Hello everyone:
 
Big news!!!  I’m going to jump into lower Vermont.  It has rained here every day now for about 17 days.  All the rivers are swollen and can’t be forded.  I’m just tried of it.  I was going to hitch, but a waitress at a local restaurant here is going to Killington, VT today for a conference so I’m picking up a ride from her.  Will help her with gas money so it good for her too.  Will continue to hike south and just do the rest of the trail next fall. I will let you know when I arrive in Vermont.
 
Me:  Mustang Sally

Mustang Sally’s Hike-Maine

August 6th, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off
Hello everyone:
 
Just a quick note from Stratton, Maine.  Got here yesterday am and did all my routine duties (PO, laundry, food shopping, etc).  Taking a zero day here and will depart tomorrow am. 
 
Survived the Bigelow Mts.  There are 3 plus a little horn.  I went over all four in one long raining with lightening day.  The best I can say is that I survived.
 
Good news is I only have 93.6 miles left in Maine.  Can’t wait to get out of here.  Maine is one tough wicked (that’s a word they use here in Maine) state.  Course then I have New Hampshire which is not a piece of cake.  Hope to be into New Hampshire within the next 15 days.
 
Thanks for all your support.  It really is all mental as far as putting one foot in front of another.
 
Me:  Mustang Sally

Gina’s Hike to Scotland-Part 2

July 31st, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off
Yesterday we hiked 12miles from Bridge of Orchy to Kings House over Rannoch Moor.  This moor is about as wildernessy as one gets in Britain, but the States (obviously) have many places more remote.  But hikers– put this on your list!  Rannoch Moor is breathtakingly beautiful with vistas, mountains, burns (their name for creeks,) history and clear fresh air.  I still have not hiked in the unrelenting Scotish rain I expected and our dry days may be one reason I’m having such a great time.  It did get drizzly for about a half mile yesterday — we had ample time to don pack covers and waterproofs as we could see the rain curtain advaning across the glen towards us. 
 
Kings House Hotel is the only building in sight here — it is at the mouth of Glen Coe at the top of the Moor.  Kings House was originally built to help the Hanover Kings keep the rebellious Jacobite Scots in line.  This hotel is quite old,with confusing twisting halls and beautiful lounges.  Long now a hotel sepcializing in hikers, bikers and climbers, the hotel has everything their clientel could want — even your choice of showers or hot baths!  Tea in the room, free internet access, a pub/restaurant with through hiker fare such as (my choice last night) venison vegetable pie (for my allergy they omitted the crust on top and instead gave me potatoes.)  An above the bar is a list of dozens of Scotch whiskey brands and years and the prices for a “wee dram” of that variety.  Mary Beth bought a bit of an island whiskey and explained to us all as we sampled how island whiskeys are a bit smokier and tarter then mainland whiskeys.  Had I had more energy (or £s) I would have explored more varieties.  But after a spectacular 12 miles I headed off to bed with my tummy full of venison and vegies, wine, whiskey and some dessert thingee(clannigan?) full of cream and strawberries.  I don’t think I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow — more like 30 seconds later. 
 
Our fellow clentele look as though they popped out of the Royal Geographic Society — lots of middle aged(or older) types who speak at surrounding tables of the munroes they bagged today or plan to attempt tomorrow, plants, animals, conservation issues, etc. (Note:  a “munro” is a mountain of a certain height in Scotland.  Ascending a munro is called “bagging” it.)
 
We met a party of 4 who are now 2 days from completing a Lands End (Cornwall) to John O’Groats (tip of Scotland) cycling tour.  They were from Fresno and are the first fellow Yanks I’ve encountered since London.  Their accent seemed weird to me at first.  Very international — lots of Belgians, Dutch and Germans making this hike. 
 
Off to breakfast now — another full Scotish breakast for me:  blood pudding, eggs,sausage AND bacon, a griled half tomato and baked beans.  And tea.  Lots of tea.
 
Cheeio,
 
Gina


Gina’s Hike to Scotland-Part 1

July 31st, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off
I have reached Crainilarich — the 1/2 way point! So far we all have miner aches and pains but nothing serious. Scenery is stunning and what is more stunning is the weather — just finished our 5th day of walking and we have yet to be rained on! Astounding! I even got a sun burn day before yesterday! In Scotland!
The Way varies from easy to very technical. The bit from Rowardennan to Inverlarich will forever be known to me as the THEY’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING! section. One confronts a jumble of boulders and roots requiring a plan to scale them to achieve a 7 foot gain over 7 horizontal feet only to have to plot a similar descent through a similar jumble on the other side. And over, and over, and over again. But much of the Way is along old drivers’ roads and along the road constructed by King George to put down the Jacobite rebellions — those parts are easy, though not necessarily as scenic. I’m told the YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING section is the most difficult footing though I hear dark warnings about Ranooch Moor which is yet to come. Gobs of waterfalls and lots and lots of sheep, who seeem to regard our passage as most interesting. Given the number of hikers we see every day this must mean the sheep are well entertained.
I’m up to about 400 pictures so far — I won’t subject anyone to all 400 but let me know if you want any and if so, what regions.
Gina

Mustang Sally-100 Mile Wilderness-July 23, 2008

July 28th, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

Hi to everyone:

Just a quick note as I am pulling out of Monson here. Just wanted to tell everyone that I made it thru the 100 mile wilderness in one piece. I was soaked however, as it rained off and on for 3 days. The constant wet boots rubbed some sores on my feet but I’ve taken 2 and 1/2 days off here in Monson. Will lbe hiking for 2 and 1/2 days till next stop and will try for longer letter at that time.

Me: Mustang Sally

Meadow River Gorge-July 13, 2008

July 15th, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

If you like hiking in the rain, Meadow River Gorge was the place to be this particular Sunday. Marlene and Margaret led a great hike to the river and back and then hosted a wonderful dinner. Thanks to both.

Mount Rigi-Switzerland-June 25, 2008

July 15th, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

A number of trail club members traveled to Switzerland recently. While visiting Lake Lucerne, Carl led Ron, Andrea and Kathy to the lakefront community of Vitznau. From there they took the cog railway to Rigi Kulm before hiking to the 6,000 foot summit of Mt Rigi. The wildflowers along the trail were vivid and the sound of cowbells made the whole trip worthwhile.

Mustang Sally-July 9, 2008

July 9th, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off
Hi Everyone: Well after many Greyhound bus miles I arrived in Bangor yesterday evening or nite really.  Got a room at Motel 6(fifty dollars for a Motel 6, can you believe it!!!)  Stayed there til 11am and then walked about a mile to the airport where I caught a local bus to downtown Bangor.  What a nice downtown, very attractive and lots of local businesses.  Nice library too!  Had a mango ice tea at one of the local restaurants. 

Will be catching a bus again this evening to Medway where I will stay the nite.  Then I will hitch a ride of 17 miles to Baxter State Part.  Hopefully I will hike the mountain Thursday.  Then I will follow the blazes home. 

It’s a beautiful day here in Bangor.  About 90 degrees. 

Got to see Boston again.  What a city!!  The construction of the new highway system is completed and it looks great.  The bus and train station are next to each other in Boston so I went over to the train station to eat.  They have many more selections to choose from than the bus station.

Watched the people go by.  You can see people from all corners of the world.  All different languages being spoken.  It was nice to be back in a big city. 

It will probably be about 12 days or so before the next newsletter.  I will be going thru the wilderness after leaving Baxter State Park.  My pack is the heaviest it’s been because I had to pack ten days of food.  Will have to eat the heavy stuff first (Smile). 

That’s about all folks.  Will say goodbye and go out and get an ice cream cone.  Until next time: 

I remain your AT thru hiker,

Mustang Sally

Mustang Sally July 9, 2008

July 9th, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

Hello everyone: 

I’m at Super 8 in Front Royal, Va.  Got in yesterday in the late am with a free ride from a friendly gentleman to the post office here.  Got my bounce box with town clothes and my mail drop (food) box with a letter (card) from the KY family.  Gave my food box to a gentleman I hike with in the Shenandoah as he is short on money but a nice/friendly person.

Shenandoah National Park is not a walk in the park.  Like most of the trail is has ROCKS of all sizes just waiting to get you.  It was beautiful.  The most wonderful thing about the park for us hikers however, were the WAYSIDES, which are restaurants.  The park has 4 or 5 of these off the AT trail, mostly 2/3 miles walk off the trail.  Us hikers will walk a way to get food (real food that is not hiker food).  The blackberry milkshake lived up to its reputation. In all I had about 3 of them during the park hike. 

Currently I’m in Front Royal, VA which is an old town with (remember I’m a history major) a civil war record.  It has really got a nice downtown area and the buildings are brick and of course OLD.  Going to spend one more day here (at a cheaper hotel)and go to the outfitters and try to get a ride lined up for tomorrow to Harper Ferry’s. 

Will be getting off the trail for about 10 days as I’m going home to surprise my daughter who will be coming home from Spain.    

I will and use Greyhound to get back to DC.  Then will continue on Greyhound up to Maine(Bangor) and get local bus service to Millinocket Maine which is the closest town. 

I will really miss my hiking partners.  Hope I can find others when I start hiking in Maine. 

Health wise I’m doing good.  The knees are sore and a little stiff in the am but they still work (SMILE). 

Thanks for all the e-mails and the support.  Love to hear from all of you. 

Take care and hopefully will see some of you while I’m at home. 

Me:  Mustang Sally

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