Day 7 (Friday)

Peaks:
-Chilled out the whole day.
-Staying with a couple tomorrow night in Long Pond, PA.
-Pigged out last night and today, should hold me for a little.
-Everything is great with my son.
-Negotiated a good motel rate again. I have to read up on the art of negotiating, it's a fun game.
-Programmed iPod to audibly (with human voice) inform me when to a 10 or 30 minute break, and also when to start looking for camp. Sometimes I get so caught up in the music I'll skip break, food, water, etc.
-Pizza delivery girl was checking out abs, damn right their on point.
-Will lighten my pack load by shipping unneeded items back to NY.
-All gear is clean.
-Spoke to two of my favorite people today.

Valleys:
-Lost my US flag attached to my pack. I believe if happened making my way through some brawlic-ass branches last night. These branches tryna hold me back... and they did once they had positioned like a ballet dancer with one leg in the air. That situation didn't make logical sense why I couldn't make it through these branches. So I untangled myself, turned away, and I believe they then took my flag. Now I need a new one.
-Been on an insane sugar high the last two days, will try my best to curb it this weekend.

Big eating day today in preparation starting early tomorrow to average 30 miles a day for the next week so I can get through Pennsylvania and to the next state, Ohio.

Looking for a high calorie meal I stumbled upon Dinky's. This successful retro-styled ice cream parlor turned burger joint is owned and ran by Norm (gentleman pictured), who is an ex trucker who opened it after suffering a back injury.

Day 6 (Wednesday)

Peaks:
- Good sleep, woke up early.
- Cooked my first meal on my portable stove (oatmeal and peanut butter)
- Spoke to my mentor, Ward.
- Finally reached PA.
- Found a spot to setup tent for the night right after the sun went down. I will stop my walks everyday between 4-5pm.
-PA's farmlands are beautiful.

Valleys:
- Approached by two unleashed dogs today and was ready with my bear spray.
- First campsite looked great until I heard shotgun blasts. Hunting season starts Sunday so I guess they couldn't wait.
- Need to wash clothes.
- Lost my strip of beef jerky. Was looking very forward to eating it.
- So hungry, I'm gonna pig out tomorrow.

Day 5 (Tuesday)

Peaks:
- After waking up, found a deli 2-hours away, was so happy!
- Setup tent early before sunset in trench near river. I will wake early to get more mileage tomorrow.
- Stocked up on jerky, gummy bears, and protein bars.
- Met a lot of nice people in the town of Independence.
-Didn't push it today.

Valleys:
-Left ankle is tight.
-Have to hold off eating until morning so scents won't attract bears, foxes, of wolves.
-Pack is lighter, but need it more lighter.

Day 4 (Monday)

Peaks:
-Spent the end of day 3 with Ms. Lauren Riecker and her beautiful, wonderful family. My first real interaction since leaving.
-Met John at Ramsey Outdoor who helped me replace some of my gear with lighter weight alternatives. He is also on the level as well and hooked me up with a sweet discount.
-Walked to let today.
-Ate some great Mexican food.
-Next walk I'll make it to Pennsylvania.
-Beef jerky is my new best friend.

Valleys:
-Shredded my calves and knees on twigs, branches, and horny stems.
-Had to walk for 2hrs additional to find someplace to sleep.
-I'm now in bear country.
-Motel room has no heat.
-Walking though the woods at night.
-Deer are running rampant and not thinking because its mating season.
-Still sore and will be sore for quite a while.

Started snowing, I should make it to PA today.

Best Things:
-My favorite can driver picked up my Zpack sleeping bag from the post office and drove it to me.
-Received encouraging honks from a fire truck, a city bus, and several motorists.
-Covered 15 miles today.
-Great sleep at a motel.
-Walked on a highway and exited off the ramp, kinda cool.
-Set great pace today, hopefully will cover double tomorrow.
-Reached hotel in enough time to get the last room (where I'm writing this -- why do I have two beds?).
-Negotiated a better price with the hotel concierge. I will try this more often.
-NOTE TO SELF: Girls in that SUV... just kidding.

Worst Things:
-Discovered I don't like going downhill with pack on my back.
-Both campsites I wanted to stay at were closed.
-Shoulders, lower back, toes, upper back, and calves are all sore.
-Need to lose more pack weight. All the weight I trimmed was gained back with the addition of the sleeping bag.
-To exhausted take pictures, I have to somehow work it into my walks.

New Jersey is actually pretty nice! I take back half the bad things I've said about it -- I still haven't reached their bear country. Tomorrow should be an excellent day! Now to take a nice warm bath! Peace!

Best Things - Started journey despite not having a sleeping bag. Slept in a motel 1st night (shower, heat, got to charge devices!). Saw beautiful foggy view of NYC from The GW Bridge. All waterproof gear worked properly in the rain.

Worst Things - Pack is heavy (at least 50-60 lbs.) and will have to lessen the load somehow. Got a little lost in Jersey, used Apple Maps for assistance -- it is so so so horrible! Legs and shoulders are sore. No sleeping bag, may have to wait until Monday for someone to drive it to me.

Moving forward things look good, I plan on reaching the nearest campsite for the next night to rest.