Photography
Goodbye Vermont
On this day on our #AppalachianTrail journey, we hiked 20 miles before 4pm. We emerged from the woods to this quaint New England community where we met a former hiker who fed us and put us up for the night before sending us on way north into New Hampshire the next day. She was an amazing lady who had hiked the entiirety of the trail 3x, starting in the 50s.

Virgiinia Blues
It took us a little less than five weeks to hike south from the WV/VA state line to the VA/TN line - 550 miles of Appalachian Trail goodness. We saw 12 bears, had to hunt for water way too many times and finally got back to places where you can get grits with your breakfast. The last sectiom of the trail in VA is a nice day hike if you’re ever in the area.

New England Hiking is Hard
In the south, the #AppalachianTrail has lots of switchbacks and long, long gradual climbs out of gaps. In New England, you get stuff like this Vermont scene - straight up mountains on bare granite. On the steeper climbs, all the tree bark is worn off whereever hikers can grab for support. #hiking

Vintage Architecture
This building with its art deco facade, built in 1934, was once a Chevrolet dealership. It’s now used a garage by the city, which thankfully has maintained the design. (Fayetteville, NC)

A Couple of Visitors
Hanging out on the deck, taking pictures of the visitors. These freeloaders are looking for the inevitable handouts I use to bribe them into posing for me.
The Mad Moose of Stratton Mountain
We reached the summit of Stratton Mountain to be greeted by the first moose either of us had ever seen. They’re huge BTW. Wonder Woman pursued the thing for several minutes trying to get a good photo. I was way too tired for all that, so I just rested. Side note: It was standing on this spot that Benton McKaye conceived the idea of the Appalachian Trail.

Vermont Hail Storm
On our second day in #Vermont, a sudden hailstorm caught us and all we could do was hike through it. Felt kinda badass TBH #Hiking #AppalachianTrail
The Long Trail (Vermont)
One of the oldest sections of the #AppalachianTrail is the Vermont section that overlaps that states’s long trail, which was first blazed over 120 years ago. It is one of the most beautiful sections, muddy perhaps, with more bugs than many might like, but still a memorable part of the experience. #hiking

The View from Mt. Greylock
My Greylock is the tallest mountain in Massachusetts, coming in at 3491 feet. There is a restaurant at the top and a kind stranger had given us money to buy a meal there, but alas, it was closed when we arrived. No worries thoguh, we just hiked to the next town and ate there instead.

Hiking the Berkshires
Western Massachusetts is a pretty place. The Berkshires aren’t too daunting but they have their moments. I’d been brainwashed as a southerner to thinnk that the Northeast US was a big urban jungle. It isn’t. New England is one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been. #hiking #Appalachian. Trail

Ice Gulch
This is Ice Gulch, located on the Appalachian Trail just north of Great Barrington, MA. It’s a mile long and a hundred feet deep. It’s on a stretch of the trail that makes for a good day hike if you are ever in the area.

State Line
That brook is the state line for Connecticut and Massachusetts on the Appalachian Trail. There was supposed to be a bridge there, but oh well. If there is one thing I leaned on that hike, it was how to be resilient.
Runner's High
Wonder Woman gliding through a mountain meadow on a warm June morning. She makes it look easy. #ultrarunning

The Glacier at Portage Lake
On a day trip to the town of Whittier, Alaska, Winder Woman and I went to see the glacier at Portage Lake. I wanted to see one before they all melt because of climate change.

South Fork of the Holston River
The Virgina Creeper Trail crosses the soth Fork of the Holston River, just north of Abindon, VA.

Taylor's Valley, VA
We’re heading back to this slice of heaven next weekend so Wonder Woman can volunteer at the Dam Yeti 50, an ultramarathon. It will be our first visit since Hurrican Helene devastated the area. #ultrarunning

Whitetop Mountain, VA
One of my favorite spots in the world, Whitetop Mountain, VA. The day we first hiked hiked there, we met a group of self described “old hippies” having a picnic. They invited us to join in. Back in the late 30’s, this was the site of a music festival featuring the Carter family among others.

Anchorage View
This is what you will see from Potter Wildlife Viewing Center just outside of Anchorage. It’s a great place to go if you are into birding.
