It was indeed cold night last night.  When I woke up it was 20° and any water that was left out overnight was frozen solid. Thank goodness I brought my water bottle with me to bed.  Hot chocolate and oatmeal in the cold weather really hit the spot.

I met up with three other through hikers yesterday and started out the morning with Jag Happy, Papa 12 and Best Wife.  I’m at Tumbling Run shelter with Jag happy tonight. It’s one of the nicest shelters I’ve ever seen; there’s even a shelter for people who snore and people who don’t.

Today’s big milestone was finishing the state of Maryland and crossing the Mason-Dixon line. Now I’ve done 3/5 of Virginia, all of West Virginia, all of Vermont, most of Massachusetts, and all of Maryland.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #4 (3/23/17)
Start – Raven Rock Shelter (MD) 1059.7
End – Tumbling Run Shelter (PA) 1072.9
Today’s mileage: 13.2
Total section miles: 49.8
Total miles on AT: 569.8
Avg daily miles (section 4) – 12.5

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not
stop questioning. – Albert Einstein

Geez it’s cold and windy too!!  Low of 20 tonight.  Can’t post much; trying to stay warm.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day # 3 (3/22/17)
Start – Annapolis Rocks Camp (MD) 1048.3
End – Raven Rock Shelter (MD) 1059.7
Today’s mileage: 11.4
Total section miles: 36.6
Total miles on AT: 556.6
Avg daily miles (section 4) – 12.2

The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all. – Walt Disney

Today was a big one. Hiked 14 miles and went through all sorts of landmarks.  Passed by Antietam Battlefield and Dahlgren Chapel.

Then visited the original Washington Monument.

And then crossed I-70 before climbing to Annapolis Rocks for the evening.  Like last night, I’m alone at the campsite. 😒 Although I’ve met lots of hikers on the trail. 😌

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day # 2 (3/21/17)
Start – Crampton Gap Shelter (MD) 1034.1
End – Annapolis Rocks Camp (MD) 1048.3
Today’s mileage: 14.2
Total section miles: 25.2
Total miles on AT: 545.2
Avg daily miles (section 4) – 12.6

It is very simple to be happy, but it is very difficult to be simple. – Rabindranath Tagore

Go an early start today.  

It was a little nippy but warmed up quickly with the 25 pound pack on my back. The first stop was Weatherton Heights with a nice view over the Potomac River.

Stopping at Crampton Gap this afternoon after passing thru Gathland.

AT Thru-Hike StatsSection Day # 1 (3/20/17)
Start – ATC Harpers Ferry (WV) 1023.1
End – Crampton Gap Shelter (MD) 1034.1
Today’s mileage: 11.0 (includes 2 fm yesterday)
Total section miles: 11.0
Total miles on AT: 531.0
Avg daily miles (section 4) – 11.0
The best way out is always through – Robert Frost

Whether it’s T minus 1, Day #0, or Travel Day; I start my Long [Ass] Section Hike tomorrow!!!  {Hence, Puffin the Filp-Flopping Lasher}

Flew from STL to DCA (Reagan Airport) this morning with the Naval Academy 🐐 Wrestling 🤼‍♀️ Team. 

Now I’m off on the train 🚂 to Harpers Ferry to meet Optimist. 👍🏼

Pack feels great and I’m starting to see other hikers too….

Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.
– Socrates  (Had to think about this one. ☝️)

Addendum – Stopped by ATC and had my picture taken.  Also found mine from 2015.

Puffin at ATC