Flip Flop Hikers: white blaze

Monday, April 18, 2016

The Sprout Day 22 (Monday, April 18th)

We continued to hike out of the Annapolis rock area. The graffiti was ongoing and made it extremely difficult to find the white blazes along the trial. We were not sure that we were going the right way when we came across a post-it note stating, “White Blaze way down hill.” We were sketched out and weren’t sure if we should follow the sign. Luckily we did, found the white blaze down the hill, and we knew we were on the right path. Thank you for whomever posted the post-it note!

We could not find the white blazes through the graffiti. Thanks for posting this!

Two more vultures

When we got out of the rocks we came across the Mason Dixon Line and signed the logbook. It feels great to have made it this far. We walked into Pennsylvania and crossed our third state line. We are through two states completely! 11.5 more to go!

Bubbles on the trial

Welcome to Pennsylvania! Another state down!

The logbook is in the post box

It's always important to make sure you are heading the correct direction on the trail

It was super hot today but we are still having a great time!

Day: 22

Miles hiked: 9.6

Total Miles hiked on the trail: 207.4

Bears: 0

Butterfly: 8

Chipmunk: 2

Crawfish: 1

Deer: 20

Really Big Dog: 1

Mouse: 1

Nest of bugs: 1

Skunk: 1

Snail: 1

Snake: 1

Squirrels: 11

Turkeys: 4

Turtles: 107
Vulture: 6

Woodpecker: 1

Monday, April 11, 2016

The Sprout Day 15 (Monday, April 11th)

We got on the trail early again today, starting around 7:00. We did 14 miles and finished the roller coaster! It was a great feeling walking out of the coaster. I think we all did a great job! Our first seven miles today was in the roller coaster and we crushed it!

I saw a lot of animals on the trail today: five big butterflies, a bunch of deer ran off when I came over a hill, a turkey ran in front of me and flew off, and last but not least, a skunk! It would be horrible to get sprayed by a skunk out here, haha!!

Moss covered rocks

Huge boulder

More huge boulders!

We are getting very close to an area of the trail that is very rocky. It will be interesting!

We completed a huge milestone in our journey today. We crossed our first state line! We walked into West Virginia! One of my goals has been to walk into West Virginia and play John Denver’s Country Roads. The funny thing is that I was so focused on hiking, because there were so many rocks on the ground and I didn't want to twist an ankle, that I missed the state border sign! I realized it about a half mile past the sign and debated about going back so I could see it but that didn't happen! I couldn't add another mile to the day just to see that sign. Luckily, Maggie took a picture of it and that'll have to do!

The rest of the day we focused on the hike and lived in the moment. It's a peaceful experience to wake up and have nothing to worry about except walking.

Snicker's Gap

Another picture of Snicker's Gap

Bubbles at Snicker's Gap

We passed another busy highway today. It is so weird to hike through sections of the trail where there are no roads or traffic and then suddenly see the white blaze across a busy highway!

We love coming across signs with information about the trail and the area where we are hiking!

Hello there highway in the middle of the trail!

We are staying at David Lesser shelter tonight. It felt great to end the day here. The shelter has plenty of room to relax and we are getting ready to head into Harper’s Ferry tomorrow!!