Beauty Despite the Heat

(Phone Message Transcribed by Bethany)



It’s a little after 5 o’clock and Figgy and I are taking a break at Caledonia State Park, mile 1,068. We entered Pennsylvania this morning and have been making great miles despite the punishing heat.

We just saw a thermometer that said 106 degrees Fahrenheit! It sounds a little hotter than what my impression is, but regardless we are feeling it today. As a result we haven’t seen much wildlife at all. The only wildlife we have seen have been chipmunks that seem to scold us as we walk by, probably for hiking in such hot weather!

I have never been to this part of my home state, so we have been pleasantly surprised at how beautiful Pennsylvania is. There have been an abundant amount of hemlock trees along with beautiful rocky bluffs and boulder fields. We’ve also been surprised at the amount of state parks along this stretch. We have been in 6 State Parks in the last three days through Maryland and Pennsylvania. We are hoping to make a few more miles tonight which should put us in good shape to walk into Pine Grove Furnace State Park tomorrow where we will end our day, hopefully, a little early. Right now we are going to catch up on some journaling and wait out some of the last of this heat before moving on to camp.

That’s it for now. Over and Out.