Hiking Thru the Home State

On Saturday, March 4th, Henry, Sawyer and I head out north from the PA/MD border on the Mid State Trail. It's been too long since I quit my job and had nothing but a narrow path of dirt ahead of me and I am beyond ready. We have done little to no research or planning for this trip, really. We have the added bonus of having a lot of home support since the trail is so close to my hometown. My trail angel grandma, Gagoo, will be taking us to the start and picking us up at the end which alleviates a lot of planning on our part in that regard. Not to mention her and my Pap let us live in their basement for weeks with gear and trail food exploded everywhere :-)

I've also just learned that everything will just fall into place and that the Goddess always has what's best for me in store. Sawyer will be joining us and I'm really hoping that the temps cooperate with us. It needs to stay in mid forties or less for most of the trip for him to be able to make it. But, I'm trying not to worry about it, he will make it as far as possible, maybe even to the end, and I'll enjoy every minute of every day he gets to spend with us out there.

The last couple weeks we've done some day hikes on the trail as it's less than a 10 minute drive from where we're staying. The only time I've ever done any sort of overnight on this trail was a few years ago when I did the section from 164 in Martinsburg to Williamsburg with Sawyer. I am beyond excited to this little walking tour of my home state. Although I've walked across the state of PA twice on the AT, the Mid State is much more remote and wild. It's been called "The Wildest Trail in PA" and is known for having "more bears than people". I cannot wait to walk her ridges everyday, looking down into her valleys of farmlands and rivers and dense forests up north. 330 miles of my favorite state, Pennsylvania. I'm ready for her.

Obligatory Gear Post

I hadn't even looked at my gear until a couple days before leaving, but we have the added bonus of only having 64 miles to hike until we'll be back here in Martinsburg at my grandparents. So anything I want to switch out or decide to leave behind, I can after only 4 days or so. Trying to pack pretty dang light because I am not in shape at all right now (send help).