Relaxing At Sugar Hill Recreation Area - (Watkins Glen, NY)

Friday

Since Linda just got back on Wednesday and we were out most of the day on Thursday, we just decided to hang around the rig, read, and do some future planning.

Linda brought up the possibility of me hiking the Appalachian Trail ..... next year.  What?!

The whole thing started like this.  Our plan for next winter is to park in her sister's yard in Florida for January and February while we fly off to do the six RV shows we've been asked to do.  She said that she'd like to stay through March and April and help with some other projects around their "new" old house and visit.  But she also knew I wouldn't be enthusiastic about staying that long.

So, she devised a plan.  She would drive me up to the start of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia in March and I would go as far as I could by the end of April.  Then I would come off the trail, get back to Jacksonville, and we'd move the rig up to Sevierville, TN for the Spring Rally in May.

And that was the plan.  But the more I thought about it, the more I wondered if I could get back on the trail and finish the AT all the way to Mt. Katahdin in Maine.  Linda wondered that too, but didn't say so until I brought that part up.

So, how could we make this work?  I would be taking nearly a month off of the trail to get to the Rally, prepare for the Rally, put on the Rally, go to Louisville for a week to visit my Dad and get annual medical check-ups, and then get the rig to wherever I left off on the trail.  That would take most of May.

Linda wouldn't want to move the rig and follow me, so what if we put the rig between sections where she could stay a month at a time?  She could drive me back to where I left off, I would hike to somewhere near where she was staying, she could pick me up for a night at home, she could put me back on the trail where I would hike to another pre-determined stop where she would come and get me at the end of her month-long stay.

Then we would move the rig to the next RV park somewhere in the middle of my next month-long section and repeat the process.

I set out to do the research and see if it was possible.  I found information on averages of how many miles hikers completed in all the different sections depending on terrain (and age).  Hikers average lower miles in the beginning as well until they "get their hiker legs".  I also had to consider the number of rest days (zero mileage days referred to as "zeroes") - the average is about one day off a week.

Given the averages, incorporating the usual "zeroes", and considering I would have more zeroes during the times we were moving the rig (around 300 miles for each move), we could pull it off.  As long as I started early enough in March and got far enough by the end of April, I could finish by the end of September or the first week of October going at a very reasonable pace and allowing for some unexpected delays.

At least that's what my new spreadsheet shows.  :)

Beyond my tunnel vision on that, I did my two laps and the rest of my new exercise regimen. Then Linda headed into Watkins Glen for a grocery run.  We got a heavy downpour, and it was cloudy and windy all day.  The temperatures cooled off, but it was too windy for a campfire.

So, after Linda got back, we went back and forth between outside and inside changing layers of clothing throughout the day.  And we watched people come into the camping area while we read.

Our new neighbor, Floyd pulled his travel trailer in just a bit to close to us.  He lives nearby and said he drove his Bounder motorhome up last year and there wasn't a spot to be had.  There was plenty of room today, and I don't know why he got so close.

He left with his truck to get his grandson's trailer.  Why they didn't park the trailers in opposite directions so they would have their doors facing each other instead of facing our rig and potential exhaust from our generator, I don't know.

Floyd pulled the grandson's trailer around to put it in front of his.  As he passed the front of his trailer, the grandson was yelling, but to no avail.  Crunch.  Floyd scraped the awning mechanism and side panel of his grandson's trailer against his own trailer.

Law enforcement happened to be here and came over quickly.  They were relieved to find out the people involved were related and there would be no report to file.

The awning mechanism was broken, so they took that trailer back home to fix it.  Eventually, they brought it back and got it parked at which point I suggested parking both of them differently - there was still plenty of room.  They liked that idea but determined it was too much trouble to move.  Neither had used their trailers much, so they were learning as they went.

They were nice, I offered suggestions, and eventually they got set up.  Then they left the trailers and would return tomorrow.

At the end of the day, the horse side of the field was packed with RVs and horse trailers.  Our side filled up with tenters below us, but there was still quite a bit of room for more RVs.  We had expected it to be much more crowded on this holiday weekend. 

It was a pleasantly quiet night given all the new arrivals.

 

Saturday

This morning I continued on my quest to figure out logistics for next year's possible AT quest.  If we were going to do this, we would need to make monthly reservations in four campgrounds well in advance.  They have to be positioned right, have a decent monthly rate, have full hook-ups (or at least a pump-out service if they didn't have sewer), and we wanted them to be fairly close to the AT so Linda could come and hike a few miles with me and provide some "trail magic" for other hikers.  She would really enjoy being a "trail angel" and offering hikers food and drinks.

It's still a big "IF", but if anyone would be interested in joining Linda as a camping buddy next summer, just let us know.  Right now it looks like we'll be parked in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Maine, again, "IF" we pull the trigger on this idea.

She also started looking at how to keep me fed on the trail.  Hikers on the AT need about 6,000 calories a day.  In addition to the physical challenge, the mental challenge, the socializing with interesting people, and living in nature, you can also pretty much eat anything you want in any quantity and still lose weight.  :)

The cons are wet weather, cold weather, hot weather, monotony, exhaustion, hunger, constantly filtering or treating water, mice in shelters, bathroom breaks in the woods or pit toilets, lack of showers, notoriously stinky hikers, having to put up with your own stench, and the AT's well-known PUDs ("pointless ups and downs").  Sounds like fun, huh?  :)

 

It was about 50 degrees when we got up this morning, so we were slow to get outside.  It wasn't as cloudy, so our solar panels got our batteries back to a full charge, but it was still windy.

Again, I did my run and my exercises, and then Linda walked the mile and a quarter loop with me a couple of times.

When we came back, more tents were being set up, but our side of the field didn't have any new RVs.  Still, our neighbors were close enough.  :)

 

 

 

I'm not sure why, but the noisiest campers in the recreation area the last two weekends have decided to set up right below us.  :)

 

 

It's not horrible.  Really it's no different than many state parks on the weekends, but why couldn't we get any of the other tent campers that were much quieter?

Now the other side of the field was crammed with vehicles.

 

 

The only open spots were where small trailers that arrived early in the week vacated when the hordes ascended.

 

 

Still, except for a guy with a really loud generator in his truck sitting right in the middle of everyone on that side, it was pretty quiet over there.

You can see from this view from the fire tower that there is still quite a bit of space to squeeze some more rigs in.

 

 

The wind eventually calmed enough to have a campfire.  I read by the fire, but Linda decided to stay inside after dinner.  Once I got to a stopping point in my book, I let the fire go out and I joined her inside for the rest of the night.

Again, there are a lot of people here at Sugar Hill Recreation Area this holiday weekend, but it's not as packed as we expected, and everyone is respectful at night.  It's still a wonderful place to camp .... especially for free.  But don't tell anyone 'cause the ranger doesn't want it to get too much publicity.  Shhhh.  :)

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Comments

[Amy]

My husband is planning on thru hiking the AT next year too. I am going to meet him a few times as well and be a trail angel. We live in VA so we are pretty well situated but he would like for me to drive our 36 ft Bounded to meet him several places as well. While I am very comfortable driving it anywhere I still have trouble with gas stations when we have the car in tow so I am not sure I would be comfortable driving it to meet him either so I understand Linda's reluctance.

Good luck with your planning. It is very exciting.

P.S. I have been reading your blog for years but first time commenter.

[Ken and margaret]

What a adventure that would be to hike the AT.
Hope it all works out that you can do it.
Margaret and I climbed MT KATADIN last September. What a experience that Was! If you can only do MT KATADIN you won't be disappointed. Thanks for sharing your life on the road,were looking forward to that life soon.

[Deb B.]

Hiking alone on the Appalachian Trial is dangerous:

http://wate.com/2016/06/01/rangers-urge-hiking-safety-after-appalachian-trail-hikers-death/

[Jeanne Kozlovsky]

My parents hiked much of the trail but quit before finishing the whole thing. Wet weather and lack of sunshine got to them. But, no one was meeting them except once. They went into towns to replenish food and stay a night with a shower and bed. Good luck with your plans. Keith and I hiked 2 hours of it in Virginia last fall.

[Pam Wright]

Very interesting! We'll be watching from afar:)

[Esther Lill]

That's an ambitious plan! It will be a great adventure, that's for sure :-)

[Gail]

My son hiked the entire trail in 2014. I don't think it is dangerous as some people think. I would like to hike it someday so I will probably keep a close eye to see how you plan it out to work for you. My son is currently hiking the Pacific crest trail. Best of luck to you

[Downunda (AT 2000-2002)]

Howard, have a look at Red Beard's videos of his AT hike, probably the best personal vidoes of an AT hike I've seen, lots of great knowledge for you to absorb from someone who knows. He also has a other videos on AT prep.
Link below;

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVSy74lU-kzOqdHjhgM2BESekwm17gybl

[Allan Webster]

Jeanne and I camp hosted at Gifford Woods State Park in Vermont in "09. The AT goes right through the park. You can shower there [coins] and there are shelters if you need them. There is a nice waterfall nearby that the trail goes by [water, depending on the time of year]. Unfortunately when we were there with a 35' 5vr there were only 2 spots large enough for our size trailer and the camp host had 1 of them. There are some parks that can accommodate your size trailer in the state.

[Jodee Gravel on the road in Thermopolis, WY]

Sounds like a grand adventure indeed. Certainly after March and April you'll know if you're up to, or want to, do the rest of it. It's so wonderful to have the mobility and flexibility to make plans like this -and change them if you want. Glad you're enjoying your sweet free spot for the holiday.

[Sherry Boyd]

Hope you get to do it Howard. I did 105 miles through Shenandoah National Park last summer alone and thought it was wonderful. Maybe it's having RV Dream on your rig that gets you the noisy tenters. We have it on ours and get them too. Plenty of quiet tenters everywhere else. Oh well - 4th of July is almost over.

[Kris Jackson]

We'll be here on the AT in Franklin, nc next spring. Let us know if we can help. Our new property is close to the AT. Also my friend here is on her second thru hike this year, she is a wealth of info on anything AT. We can meet up in Franklin, wayah bald, NOC, or fontana dam.

[Mike ~ Team Murc on RV_Dreams]

Howard,
A through hike of the AT is an awesome endeavor.One that I have longed to do since I was 17. I hiked 150 miles 2 summers ago and I am hoping to hike the 165 miles Springer Mtn. to Fontana Dam in November.

If you decide to go it will be the experience of a lifetime. You will not regret it!
There are a number of good books available on planning for and hiking the AT as well as numerous good web sites that should provide you all the information you will need. Also check out Youtube for reviews of the gear you will need.
I know you are going to be at Schoodic Peninsula later this summer. We are over in Bar Harbor right next door to Acadia NP until Columbus Day, would love to meet up and talk about your pending adventures and maybe show you some of Acadia.

[J Scott Wharton]

Howard, go for it! We only live once. It just takes time and determination, and a lot of both. I finally came to the conclusion that hiking 21 miles a day for 100 days with a 20+ lb pack is a bunch. But even section hiking over several years counts. Just getting out is great. If you haven't already look at the blog section hiker.com. Good luck

[Kris Jackson]

Omg, don't let the story of "inchworm" keep you from hiking the trail....I'm planning a thru hike for 2018. Go for it! I'm training now, day hikes and eventually section (overnights). Really, do it, Linda knows it's something you would love to do......Dan is the same way, when it's time,.he'll be my best support!!!

[Sylvia Peedin]

If you need a cg in southern Vermont, check out Greenwood Lodge and Campsites near Bennington. We stayed there last year. I don't know if they have affordable monthly rates or not, but it is set up like a state park with nice owners. The hostel is actually for AT hikers and the AT is very nearby. Sounds like an ambitious plan for both you and Linda.
Syl

[barbara comeau]

I recently read a book, "Grandma Gatewood's Walk" about a 63 yr old woman who walked the AT on her own. The author is Ben Montgomery. An enjoyable read! That will be very exciting for you and for us! Good luck in the planning.

[Jenny J]

Howard - I think that is an excellent idea - I will be more than happy to be your trail angel as you hike thru my area (Johnson County TN) from Hampton to Damascus VA --- I have always wanted to hike that portion --Trail Days in Damascus VA is the middle of May -- it is a fun time
tons and tons of hikers