Sunday, October 30, 2005

What a difference 4 months makes.....!


The picture of the posse atop Mt. Washington in New Hampshire was taken on 2July05. The other pictures were taken this past week on Mt. Washington with a view of the montains (in the distance)that the posse crossed in July! Click on any picture to enlarge.

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

It's Beginning to look a lot like.....Oh, forget it. :)

Blake's Dad Reporting: Blake left a phone message mid-afternoon ( WED )to say that they are 1/4 through the Great Smokey Mountains and that they awoke this morning to 6 inches of snow!! They hiked in it most of the day -- beautiful weather and great views. They are off the AT tonight staying at a hostel in GATLINBURG, TN

Saturday, October 22, 2005

It's cold in Hot Springs

Greetings from the historic town of Hot Springs, NC.

Mike and I did a 27 mile day in to town yesterday. We were treated to some beautiful ridgewalks and a steep but breathtaking descent in to town. We met Keiths mom and her husband Bill, and Lisas mom and brother. They treated us to a great dinner last night and have put us up in a hostel for the next two nights.

We are going to hang out for the day, laying low and staying out of the rain. The hostel has a great movie selection and there is a local bar showing college football all day, so I think we'll manage to stay entertained.

Onward to the Smokies tomorrow!

Thursday, October 20, 2005

HORSE SENSE -- Careful Mike



The black and white feral horse had a "close" encounter with Super T the other day. He walked behind the horse, sensed sudden movement, and began to jump back! The hoof struck him a glancing blow in the thigh. Lucky for him that he saw it coming. A broken leg would have been a tough obstacle in finishing the AT! I am sure there is more to this story than was reported to me. Right, Lisa, Keith, and Mike?!? Click on Pic to enlarge.

Monday, October 17, 2005

Miss Janets House -- Erwin, TN

Blake's Dad reporting: On Sunday the 16th, Blake called to say that the Joe's Hole Posse was in Erwin, TN. He reported great weather, cool temps, and that they were staying at Miss Janets -- an anticipated and talked about rest stop for thru-hikers. Erwin is 338.8 miles from Springer Mountain and 1833.8 miles from Mt. Katahdin!

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Damascus, VA

Blake's Dad Reporting: The Posse is in Damascus -- right on the VA / Tenn border. Blake and Mike have added 131 pictures to their Photo Gallery section. The pictures chronicle their trip down through the state of Virginia. Check them out when you get a chance.

Saturday, October 08, 2005

Yankee boys invade Tennessee

Greeetings from Damascus, VA, known as the 'friendliest town on the AT.'

Today a much anticipated hike through the Grayson Highlands was rained out and anger over the red sox getting swept resulted in Mike and I hiking 33 miles today to get here. Keith and Lisa are 9 miles behind at the shelter. We will see them sometime tomorrow in town. We are staying at "the place" It's a HUGE hiker hostel owned by a local methodist church. It is two full stories of bunk rooms and lounges and the place is completly deserted. It is easy to see why Northbounders stay here.

We may zero tomorrow, or try and arrange a slack pack and do some low mileage. Either way, by Monday the Joes Hole Posse will be hiking in Tennessee. We are finally coming to terms with the idea that we are on the 'home stretch'

Virginia was great. The terrain varied from day to day and the weather slowly began to turn cooler. We hiked up and over countless mountains, through cow fields, and across grassy balds. I loved VA, I will have to come back and hike some of the best sections again.

Lets go.....anybody that beats the Yankees!

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

JOES HOLE POSSE REUNITED IN MARION, VA

Super T's dad reporting: Super T and Don King re-connected with Samoa and Gills yesterday in Marion, VA. Blake called last evening from the town Bowling Alley where the boys from New England were taking on the Anniversary-couple from the deep South in a clash of historical and cultural significance. Blake reported that he and Mike were getting drubbed and that Lisa -- with an uncanny ability to throw strikes and to pick up spares -- was clearly the star of the evening.

Happy Anniversary to Lisa and Keith who celebrated their second year of marriage in a small town bowling alley with a couple of grubby, trail-worn, thru hikers from CT.

Blake said that he hopes to get another Guest Book page added to the site soon.

Monday, October 03, 2005

Bland, Virginia

Blake's Dad Reporting for the CT portion of Joes Hole Posse: As of mid-morn on Sunday 2October Don King and Super T were attempting to hitchhike into the town of Bland. There was some thought about staying in town for a few hours -- baseball and football on TV -- but they did not think they'd be there long. They are now 575 miles from Springer Mountain and have covered 1595 miles since Katahdin. They logged 33 miles on Saturday. Their best distance of the trip so far. The other half of the Posse -- Samoa and Gills -- are 24 hours ahead of them, but they should be linked up soon.

Saturday, October 01, 2005

Guest Book Trouble

Blake's Dad reporting: As you may be aware, Blake and Mike are having some technical problems with their Guest Book. They are not sure how it will get resolved (or even if it can be.) They may have even "lost" ALL the guest book entries since the start of the trip -- a real loss. In the meantime, you can always add a comment to a journal entry (some have) or you can leave an entry on Keith and Lisa's site (if you monitor their journal as well) for Blake and Mike.

In a phone conversation with Blake yesterday he said, "Mike and I are having the time of our lives. This last phase of the trek is turning out EXACTLY as I dreamed and hoped it would be when plans and concerns first began to take shape over a year ago. I am loving every second of it."