Old phone updates |
Posted 9/11/02 TrailDad is home! The last of his journal entries appear below. Congratulations dad! Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 9/7/02 TrailDad completes his thruhike! TrailDad Roy called yesterday from Millinocket Maine to say he reached the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail on Mount Katahdin! With him were several fellow thruhikers with whom he's spent much of the summer, and his son Greg, who flew up from the Washington D.C. area. Congratulations dad! Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 8/30/02 TrailDad on his way to Katahdin TrailDad Roy called on the 28th from Monson, Maine. He's expecting to finish the AT on September 5th! I wish I could be there to see him complete his journey, but my speaking schedule won't allow it. Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 8/20/02 TrailDad in Maine TrailDad Roy called on the 18th from Andover Maine. He's doing fine and is excited to be in the last state on the AT! I just got back from a 9-day John Muir Trail hike, so there's a lot of new stuff posted. The latest journal entries are below and there are new photos interspersed with the archived journal entries for July and August. Enjoy. Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 8/7/02 Entering the White Mountains TrailDad Roy called yesterday from Glencliff, NH. He and Kathi are entering the White Mountains today. I hope they enjoy that area as much as I did. They've been experiencing some relatively cold and windy weather, so I hope they're not exposed to bad weather above tree line. It can get quite nasty up there at any time of year. Kathi's having a good time too. Naturally she's not is as good a shape as TrailDad, but she's hanging in there. It's a rare person who can join a thru-hiker mid-hike and keep up at all. Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 8/3/02 Kathi joins Roy in Hanover TrailDad Roy's friend Kathi Berman is going to hike with him for about a week. She flew in yesterday but the airline lost her pack, so their departure has been delayed. Hopefully it will arrive this evening and they can get on the trail tomorrow. While waiting in town, TrailDad sent the email message that appears below. Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com "Aleman" and I got into Hanover yesterday before noon after a nice 6-mile hike over from the Happy Hills shelter in Vermont. Goodbye VT and hello NH! There is a big Shriners parade and game in town this weekend so finding a place to stay was difficult. I got the next-to-last room in a reasonably priced motel about 2 miles out of town. The manager there was kind enough to pick me up. That's the Sunset Motor Inn. "Aleman's" family met him here and we all went to dinner last night. It will probably be the last I see of him at least for a while, since I'm leaving today and he's taking some time off the trail. We hiked together for more than a week and got along well together. "Aleman" is Spanish for "German". He's German but lives in S. Carolina. Has a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Heidelberg and holds more than 50 patents as a research chemist. He is recently retired. Hanover and Dartmouth College are a great town stop. Lots to see and do, and eat. There's a lot of snow in the winter but right now it's hot. I'm supposed to meet Kathi at 12:30 PM. She's coming in on the Greyhound bus from Boston and it usually stops at the Hanover Inn. However, the parade will interfere with that so I'll just have to find her. Hopefully we can get on the trail in the early afternoon. It will be near 90 degrees by then. More later. TrailDad Posted 7/30/02 The Inn at the Long Trail TrailDad Roy called this evening from the Inn at the Long Trail in Vermont. He's continuing to feel strong despite the increasingly difficult trail. He has less than 500 miles left in his journey. Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 7/29/02 TrailDad is in Vermont TrailDad Roy called on the 27th from the Carriage House in Manchester Vermont. He's made up a day on his schedule recently. His latest journal entry appears below, and an entry from June that was lost in the mail and arrived today appears after that. Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 7/20/02 TrailDad is in Connecticut TrailDad Roy called on the 18th from Salisbury, Connecticut where he was staying in the home of Maria McCabe. He says it's continued to be hot with lots of mosquitoes. His next call is expected from Dalton, Massachusetts on the 23rd. His latest journal entry appears below. Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 7/13/02 TrailDad is in New York TrailDad Roy called yesterday from Highland Falls, NY. He's doing well and the weather's been cooler for a change. Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 7/11/02 New journal entries below I just got back from a week in Yosemite's backcountry. Wow, what a place! Now that I'm back, here are the latest journal entries from TrailDad Roy. Enjoy! Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 6/24/02 New journal entries and photos! TrailDad Roy called this morning from the local AT Conference office in Boiling Springs, PA. He said he's expecting brutal heat as he crosses miles of open fields today. What I remember about those fields is the blowing snow. I think I had it easier! New journal entries and photos arrived in the mail today! The latest journals are below (with photos) and I added new photos to the May and June journal archive at right. Don't miss the photos of Crazyfoot juggling burning torches on 5/25 and a doing a handstand on McAfee Knob on 5/26! Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 6/21/02 TrailDad in Pennsylvania TrailDad Roy called early this morning to say he's crossing into Pennsylvania. Since this is the Mason-Dixon line, I wonder how long it will take for him to notice the cultural differences of the north. In '01 I was struck by how quickly things changed. Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 6/18/02 TrailDad calls from Bear's Den Hostel TrailDad Roy enjoyed his time off the trail with son Greg. He's back on the trail now and called yesterday from Bear's Den Hostel. He said the "roller coaster" section was tough. His next call is expected tomorrow from Harper's Ferry. Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 6/15/02 TrailDad visits son Greg for Father's Day TrailDad Roy is taking a couple days off the trail to visit his son Greg in Springfield Virginia. He called this morning to say that he's there and will call again tonight when we have more time to talk. Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 6/11/02 Shenandoah National Park TrailDad Roy made an unscheduled call this morning from Lewis Campground in Shenandoah National Park. He's doing fine despite the heat and humidity. The bugs are getting really bad, particularly the noseeums. Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 6/7/02 Roy gets to Waynesboro, Virginia a day early TrailDad Roy's knee continues to feel much better. It's allowed him to make up one day on his schedule so he's now just four days behind. He says there are lots of mosquitoes and other bugs out now. He has a homemade bug "cage" which hangs from under his tarp and is working great. He can even hang a flashlight from it. His next call is expected Monday or Tuesday. Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 6/5/02 Roy calls from Montebello, Virginia TrailDad Roy's knee is feeling much better. He takes just one Naproxin every morning. He's hiking alone for now as all the people he was hiking with are ahead. It's been hot and humid. The "Dog Days" of summer are approaching. His next call is expected from Waynesboro in 2-3 days. Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 5/29/02 TrailDad Roy has a sore knee TrailDad Roy is in Daleville, Virginia where he's holed up for a bit. He got there a day late because his knee has been hurting. That knee has osteoarthritis and he stopped to check with a doctor to see if he would be doing any serious damage if he continued his hike. The doctor said he can hike on it and gave him some Vioxx, an anti-inflammatory drug and a prescription for Naproxin. He's planning to rest his knee in town until Friday morning. Until then, he can be reached at the Best Western Coachman Inn. (540) 992-1234 room 209. Remember, that's on the east coast and he's an early to bed, early to rise guy. Please don't call after 9PM EDT. Sly the Biker and Bamboo Bob bid TrailDad an emotional farewell this morning. They have been enjoying hiking together immensely. TrailDad reports his weight is down to an "ideal" 174 pounds, down about 20 from the start of the trip. Stay tuned for a photo TrailDad took of a young hiker named Crazyfoot doing a handstand at McAfee Knob! (It'll be here in a couple weeks.) Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 5/23/02 Roy calls from Pearisburg, Virginia TrailDad Roy left a message on the answering machine on Tuesday 5/21. He was staying at the Plaza Motel in Pearisburg, VA where he was sharing a room with Sly. It has been cold and he got snowed on Tuesday morning! Good thing he hasn't sent home all his warmest clothes yet! He's feeling well, having a great time, and will call again in five days. Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 5/15/02 Roy calls from Rural Retreat, Virginia TrailDad Roy called this afternoon from somewhere near Atkins or Rural Retreat Virginia. He's staying at the Village Motel tonight and has been hiking lately with Sly the Biker and Minnesota Mike. His shin is doing okay, but is still sore. He expects his next phone call will come from Pearisburg on the 21st. Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 5/12/02 Roy calls from Damascus, Virginia TrailDad Roy called late Friday and again Saturday from Damascus Virginia. He's staying in a hostel there. He didn't say which one, but I'm guessing it's "The Place." The weather's been cold and humid with some rain and his shin is continuing to get better. He's sewing some minor repairs to his G4 pack. His next call is expected Wednesday 5/15 from Rural Retreat, Virginia. Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 5/9/02 Roy calls from Hampton, Tennessee Late Wednesday 5/8, TrailDad Roy called from Hampton, Tennessee where he was to spend the night at Breymer Castle. His shin is doing much better. He has been making up time by hiking 21, 22, and 15 miles in each of the last three days! He says it's been hard hiking lately with high humidity and rain on Tuesday. He expects to reach Damascus on the 11th. For those who haven't noticed, I have added a few photos to the archive copy of TrailDad's journal. Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 5/7/02 Roy is back on the trail! TrailDad Roy left Erwin, Tennessee Sunday to resume his hike! He visited a Doctor in town and found out he did NOT have a shin splint. It was diagnosed as "Cellulitis," a type of skin infection. Some heavy-duty antibiotics apparently cleared it up enough that he felt ready to resume his trek. We'll know more about how his leg is doing when he calls next. New journal entries are posted below. Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 5/1/02 Roy has severe shin splints TrailDad Roy called today from Nolichucky Hostel in Erwin, Tennessee. He has been hurting for the last 5 days or so with a case of shin splints. It's just one leg which is bad, but his shin is red, inflamed and so sore he can barely walk downhill. He's going to take some time off in town to rest and recover, but if his leg doesn't get better, he won't be able to continue like this. New journal entries are posted below. Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 4/24/02 Roy enjoys the Great Smoky Mountains TrailDad Roy called today from Mountain Mama's, just north of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He enjoyed great weather and wonderful views through the park, which includes 6,000+ foot Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the AT. He says it was cold and windy, but sunny. He's now in North Carolina and it looks like more rain is coming. Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 4/12/02 Roy nears the end of Georgia Roy called from Hiawassee Georgia today. The rain and wind continues, but his spirits are high. There are no leaves on the trees yet, but Spring is on the way. He's hiking in shorts even though the temperature is in the 50s during the day and the 40s at night. He's found that he doesn't mind being wet during the day. He stays warm enough while walking and changes into dry clothes at night. He's staying right on schedule, averaging 12-15 miles per day. But at that pace, he's faster than just about everyone else he's tried to hike with! So far he has had no blisters or other foot problems and the infamous Georgia hills are not proving to be too tough. His ease on the trail is winning a lot of converts to his lightweight backpacking style. He had no trouble finding a taker for the extra Cat stove in his first resupply box. Light as his pack is, he's considering sending home some of his warmer clothes. But he knows there's still a chance for a cold snap, so he'll wait a few weeks. He's been shopping in towns along the way for most of his food, but he's not been eating all of it. His body is still adjusting to life on the trail by dropping a few pounds. Hiker hunger has not set in yet. Roy's next call is expected from Nantahala Outdoor Center, 4/16/02. Roy's son, Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 4/10/02 Rain, wind and crowds on the AT Roy called this morning from Neels Gap, Georgia. The weather has been wet and windy. The first night on Springer Mountain, he wished he had a slightly warmer sleeping bag, but since then he's been doing okay with his 30 degree rated bag. He's feeling fine and staying warm even when wet, but he decided to buy a pack cover to keep his pack dry in the blowing rain. As expected, TrailDad Roy is meeting lots of other hikers on the AT. He waited in line about an hour to make his phone call from Neels Gap! One of the questions he gets asked often is how long it took me (Flyin' Brian) to hike the AT. (112 days in January, February, March and October, including 7 zero-mile days sitting out bad snowstorms or doing my taxes.) Roy's next call is expected from the Blueberry Patch Friday, 4/12/02. Roy's son, Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com Posted 4/8/02 Roy is on the AT! Roy left his home in Los Altos shortly after 4am Saturday, April 6th for San Jose airport. Because his son Greg is a pilot for United Express, Roy can fly for free. But flying standby is not always easy. Such was the case this time. He hoped to fly to Atlanta via Chicago, but that flight was full so he went to Denver. From there he flew to Boston where he got 3 hours sleep in a hotel. Sunday morning he finally got a flight to Atlanta. His prearranged pickup at the airport went smoothly despite the fact that he arrived a day later than expected. On Sunday afternoon at 3:20 he called to say he was about to start his Appalachian Trail thru-hike! Updates will be posted here when Roy calls to check in. Roy's journal and photos will also appear here when I receive them. Please check back often! Roy's son, Flyin' Brian Robinson brian_a_robinson@hotmail.com |
