Day 2, July 1,10 miles
Yuk, yuk, and double yuk. A terrible night. About 12 midnight I heard a tree fall not far from my tent. It was quite an awesome sound, but it was a bit disconcerting. The ground is so wet, even live trees are falling. Then, at precisely 1:43 am, the sky opened up to a TORRENTIAL rain storm complete with a fireworks show of lightening and deafening thunder. The thunder and lightening subsided after about 30 minutes, but the hard rain continued, and at 4:50 am, the thunder and lightening started again. I felt like I needed to be busy about building an ark. Needless to say, it was pretty much a sleepless night.
I finally decided about 7:30 am that there was not really any other option than to pack up and head out in the rain. Of course, everything was wet which added at least 2 more pounds of weight to my pack. I went up to the shelter and made myself a bacon jerky and honey sandwich for breakfast and then hit the trail. I was the first one out of camp. The climb continued for several miles and then the long, long descent came. The trail was in horrid shape. The storms have turned it into a river in many places and the mud was so thick and deep that it literally sucked my shoe off about 5 different times. If it wasn’t sucking my shoes off, it was forcing me to basically mud ski–I’d take one step and slide the equivalent of 10 steps–it was slick as snot. How slick is snot? I don’t know, but one thing I do know, this mud was slicker than snot!!!
Today was a tough day. Every step had to deliberate and calculated. There were trees falling in the woods. There were trees across the trail (blowdowns) that I had to navigate around. The rain was relentless. My pace was painstakingly slow. I was planning a 16 mile day, but because the rain wasn’t gonna let up until after 8 tonight, when I crossed a road in a tiny little town, I called a motel in a neighboring town and they came and picked me up and brought me to this “off-brand” motel. So, after a long, short 10 miles, I’m going to get a shower and try to dry everything out in my room and hope for better weather tomorrow.
Speck In The Woods 
Ugh!!!!!
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That looks really bad. You should look into terrapin shell hats to protect against the falling trees. Also, the style sends any man, snake or bear running in the other direction. Be safe.
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Hope U have your booger blanket with U ! Love U Dad
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As always, Dad had to be funny. I’m glad you got out of that for a while. Hope for better weather tomorrow. Miss you.
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The ground looks gross, but the horizon looks amazing and eerie. I hope you can dry out your feet at night.
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Get out here, Jodi Bell-Woodard.
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Are You sure You are my niece?
All You need is a chain saw and sled to bring back a load of wood. Be safe.
Love You
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Even my mother says I don’t belong to her. Lol
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Sounds like a horrible day like I had on the trail many years ago in Maine. I feel for you. Hope tomorrow brings a better day on the trail. – Matt
And you are doing this why? – Brother
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Some days I wonder why too.
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Wow those pics are incredible! Here’s hoping to better weather for you here on out 😉
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Snot is very slick especially if there is a lot of it! Hahaha I hope you got dried out and had a better day. Your pictures are amazing! You are a great storyteller. The way you describe everything makes me feel that I am right there with you. It is such a great adventure! So what happened today? You have me on the edge of my seat wondering what is going to happen next. Can’t wait hear! Love you and praying for you!
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Be safe! Praying for it to dry up for you!!
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Is that Mt. Greylock?
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