Voyage to New York

Now a sophomore in college, I had a girlfriend who lives out of state in Poughkeepsie New York. I made it a point that I was going to go and visit her at some point in the near future. After spending an entire summer working full-time in a nursing home, I had saved just enough money to make the trip to visit her for a week. She ended up having to work while I was up there, so the trip was short-lived and only lasted 3 days instead of a week. However, the journey was incredible.

I started out one Sunday morning and the beginning of August, embarking on a 5-hour drive to my destination in Mid-State New York. I stopped once in the land of the Amish, seeing what was around and using the bathroom there. I headed back onto the road, and stopped again in the center of Trenton New Jersey to get some Starbucks and use the bathroom there. A girl asked me where I was from, and I told her that I was from South Central Pennsylvania and on my way to the middle of New York to visit my girlfriend. She said that I had a lot of ambition and courage to do such a thing, and I thanked her and told her that I would do pretty much anything for a thrill and an adventure. And that was pretty accurate as well.

I finally arrived at my destination around 7:30 in the evening, where her family greeted me for the first time in their lives, warmed up a room for me, and bought me dinner to eat alongside her family for her uncle's birthday party. We would go visit him at day later in there small town of Andes, New York, eat a healthy lunch of a portabella mushroom patty with sweet potato fries with them at “Two Old Tarts”, and then watch a organ recital at a local church. It was very exciting to spend time with them, as they were both musicians and very intelligent individuals who had an affinity for strong and rare whiskey.

Their backyard was magnificent.

Compared to Pennsylvania, Poughkeepsie was very quaint and quiet. We went to a Foods truck and saw the local mansion at their biggest park there, which was closed at the time, but still impressive to see. The people driving around up there were much more erratic than in Pennsylvania, much to my dismay. There were a lot more stores of vegetarian and alternative culture to be seen as well, as there was an Indian grocery store not but 5 minutes from my girlfriend's house.

After preparing some tiramisu with ingredients gathered from Price Rite, the New York answer to Giant Food Stores, we went to New York City for a day. We spent most of our time walking around, mostly in Times Square and Central Park. We spent a lovely afternoon there after taking the subway down from Poughkeepsie, ate some good local food, witness New York City from the standpoint of having no clear objective other than being present in the city, and in general had a good time. Although very expensive and nowhere near where I would want to live in the future, New York the second time around was starting to feel just a little bit like home.

Three action packed days later, I woke one morning to be told that I was going back home to Pennsylvania. From here, I would go and visit my friend who lived in East Greenville, stopping at my house to recuperate and refuel before doing so. I left early one morning, and drove home late at night after stopping to visit a friend in the King of Prussia area. There will be more to come on that as well. Allthough short-lived, every part of my trip to New York was enjoyable, and I learned exactly what life was like outside of the city limits of New York City.

Centralia

Tucked away in the Center of Columbia County, Pennsylvania, is the little near ghost town of Centralia. This small mining town rose to critical acclaim in 1962 when a landfill somehow caught fire and ignited the coal mines that lay beneath the town, dwindling the population from 1000 people in the 80s to just 8 or 10 people that live there today. In an attempt to control the situation, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased Centralia and initiated eminent domain, which did not bode well for keeping the residents of Centralia very happy. Through this agreement to eminent domain through the Commonwealth, the people that wanted to stay there and live out the rest of their lives were free to do so, and that is exactly what the remaining half dozen people have been doing. Once they leave or pass away, then their houses will also be claimed through eminent domain, and Centralia as it is known today will cease to exist. At the time of the writing of this article, the fires continue to burn, and will continue for approximately 200 years until the fuel is exhausted.

This was the first time that I ever went to Urban exploring in my life, taking some time over spring break my senior year of college to take the trip up. A two-hour drive from my house, Centralia itself wasn't initially all that impressive to look at. There were a couple of streets that were somewhat maintained, and a lot of shut down and boarded-up houses. A small Church lies up on the hill above Centralia and is still in use, so we weren't able to access that whatsoever. The main attraction to Centralia nowadays is the part of the All-American Interstate that got shut down, as the coal fires could still be seen coming out of the ground beneath the highway for years to come. The highway itself started to rupture, and people started spray-painting it with lots of graffiti. As such, it became Graffiti Highway.

Still feels like home!

Trying to be discrete as possible, as the town is on observation protocol from trespassers, we parked our car in the most inaccessible location we could find, behind a couple of trees. We first walked in the old cemetery, where many of the people who died due to the fires or whatever else were buried. There were a couple of others who were visiting the area, but they didn't bother us. We took some photos from the ridge above town, and then went on to hike through the forest to find graffiti Highway.

Because of its status as a fairly trafficked area, there is new graffiti on the highway nearly every month. There was a massive amount of graffiti, and many pictures were taken. The highway itself was probably a mile and a half long, and you could clearly see where it used to intersect with the main highway right beside it. There were lots of overgrown trees, so this sad little town has been all but forgotten in time and space.

Photo credits go to Uncovering PA.

My friend and I then decided to get super edgy and toppled to an abandoned building that had its Windows broken out. On the first floor, we saw empty beer bottles, used rubbers, photographs, cigarette ashes, and pretty much any other Errata that you can think of. We wanted to go upstairs but were afraid to do so, so then we departed from the area altogether after getting one last glimpse of the entire town.

I could use this time as a Shameless plug for renewable energy instead of coal, but it really is sad what happened to the town. What was once a flourishing little commune is now withering away, soon to be forgotten by the outside world. I'm so glad that I had the honor of seeing this quaint little town, Frozen in time and space.

Have You No Backbone

The aptly named title for this post comes from the name of Maryland's highest location, which actually straddles Maryland and West Virginia. At 3000, 662 ft, it manages to pass the next highest stand-alone Peak in Maryland by about 70 feet. In all honesty, a lot of State high-points I've looked at or much like that, being very close to the next smallest integer but not quite there. By the way around, when I took an adventure to West Virginia, the next part of the trip to get home was to stop here. This little hill in the middle of an intense solar farm; who would have ever guessed?

This time, when we departed from our car, we realized that the tables had turned since West Virginia. Instead of driving up the mountain, we actually had to make and model on track to get to the top of the high point, it was a straight away shot, but about 90% switchbacks the whole time.

But yet, we made it.

After walking through the forest to get to this state High Point, we came to a rather noteworthy finding: no High Point bench, but instead, a sign and a guest book inside a mailbox. On top of the mailbox post was a small stone tower that somebody it started, so I added they headed to the silhouette there was building. I've been for the sign the guestbook to say that I made it to the highest point of Maryland, and also saying it was my third High Point at the time. Surprisingly enough though, there was a fair amount of individuals that let this be there 19th or 20th High Point.

With some fairly okay-ish views, compared to the others.

At this point in the game, I was still novice when I came to constructing plans for tackling problems and getting Solutions. But so, I did have to learn it quick. After planning this trip with my friend Travis, I then went and planned a couple of trips on my own, and used what I've learned to improve my planning abilities for the future. This concluded my overnight trip through West Virginia and Maryland, and I really learned a lot about humility in the way people live their lives. This is specially came when we drove 7 miles through private property because there was no maintenance Road that we could have otherwise taken to get from one state Highpoint to the other. We saw broken down Shacks that people had been presumably living in for a long time. And, for the first time being outside of Maryland and Pennsylvania, we saw wine being sold in a gas station, just before our home States finally changed their liquor laws. And, we also learned that we needed to hike on treadmills a whole lot more before we were to tackle bigger high points such as Ranier, Katahdin, Marcy, and eventually, Denali.

Turn the Knob

Shortly after summer had started, I felt myself in dire need of an adventure. This is when my hiking partner and I decided that there was no time like the present to go and hike, and more specifically, to take a quick weekend trip to stay overnight in a tent and be one with nature. And so in the middle of June of 2017, that's exactly what we did. We packed up our camping stove and sleeping bags I made out for the middle of West Virginia.

To be fair, if it weren't for hiking and this year desire to go places, and later on, Graduate Studies interviews, I probably would have never willingly gone to most of the states that I have been to. If I die out of the United States map with States I like to live in and/or visit , only about 7 of them would actually make the list. Of those States, I've only been to one of them. So that being said, I answered a completely different world when I went to West Virginia for the first time.

West Virginia, by and by, is a rather poor State. Because of this, it is quite easy to take equity from your home and purchase a huge plot of land or a small Mountain, but on the other hand, 2 fall into a pitfall of constant drug abuse and poverty that surrounds much of the state. A large amount of individuals around the edges work out of state to support themselves, and there's in the middle are usually quiet farmers and home bodied individuals, save the college students.

At 4863 feet, Spruce Knob is markedly different from the surrounding area. It is a geographical dead zone, with no cell signal or modern Technologies, which would freak most millennials comma and because of its extreme change in geography, is a lot cooler than the rest of the surrounding area, but physically and metaphorically. On the drive down, temperature in Western Virginia and Eastern West Virginia( try saying that 10 times fast!) Usually came to an Apex around 93 or 94 degrees Fahrenheit. When we first stepped out of the car to get groceries in a small town about an hour from the campsite, it was about 87 degrees still. usually came to an apex around 93 or 94 degrees Fahrenheit when we first stepped out of the car to get groceries and a small town about an hour from the campsite it was about 87 degrees still. However, when we stepped out on the Mountainside, to get our first view of the surrounding area and take some great panoramic pictures... The temperature drops to about 60. I actually started the shiver in the middle of summer, and although the glacier regions never spreads West Virginia During the Pleistocene period, the after effect of climate extremes was still very prevalent hear.

2 down, 48 to go.

My last camping trip to Cherry Springs, although short and sweet, was very beautiful, but I was ill equipped to act in the middle of a winter camping trip. This time, I knew I wouldn't let anybody down, I would actually come to rather enjoy myself. My last camping trip to cherry springs although short and sweet was very beautiful but I was eloquent to act in the middle of a winter camping trip this time I knew I wouldn't let anybody down, knowing that I was Prepared and ready for whatever lies ahead.

So naturally, when we finally arrived at the campsite, there's a slight rain drizzle. We set up camp quickly in the rain, rearranging some of the furniture accordingly ( Camp table end wash line) and decided we would take the drive up to the highest point of West Virginia. We saw it right at Twilight, and again in the morning before departing for our next part of the adventure. Both times, the view was breathtaking, and it was well worth the drive.

Make sure to see it in the evening, too.

If you're planning on doing hiking up to that State High Point, there are several Trails loaded with switchbacks and beautiful flora and fauna that you can say to the top. However, since you could drive to the top of this one and then take a brisk walk to the observation tower, that is why the ultimately decided to do.

So that being said, I now had to State highpoints under my belt, and I was ready for the next 47. Some of the best memories are made on the open road.

Mount Davis and Sideling Hill

When I decided I was going to start hiking state highpoints, it made sense for my home state to be the first one to be hiked. And so, that's exactly what my hiking partner Travis and I did. From my house, the trail was about a 3-hour drive oh way, towards Pittsburgh. Since it's it's along the Maryland and Pennsylvania line, we crossed into Maryland a couple of times. from my house the trail was about a3 hour drive away towards Pittsburgh since its it's a long the Maryland didn't Pennsylvania line be crossed into Maryland a couple of times.

On the way there, we discovered sideling Hill that just like cross the border in Maryland. This hill got its unique features because civil engineers back in the 18th century thought it would be a good idea to try and blast drill a hole through a large mountain. This didn't work, and instead, resulted in a bifurcated Mountain with a path going through it. So naturally, we stopped to use the bathroom and admire the sights.

A few views of the hillside.

The highest point in PA itself is 3212 ft tall, in the surrounding area in the mountain itself or settled by coal miners. Back in the 1700s, there wasn't much to go off of, but they did name it after an individual who did a lot for the natural ecosystem. By this point in time, we have learned to gauge the difficulty of a trail ahead of us the fitness level of people that were coming back from the trailhead. In this case, there were surprisingly a large amounts of overweight individuals. Then, we saw that the trailer was one that you could drive right up to and get out and walk up a staircase to get a better view. So that's exactly what we did. After snapping a few pictures from the ground and the different Museum items that were left on the Rocks there, we went to the top of the tower to take some photos.

I forgot to take a picture of the view. It was boring, anyhow.

With this being my first high point, I can admit in retrospect that it actually wasn't all that enticing with the views. It was mostly just trees followed by more trees. However, I did feel a sense of omnipotence, realizing how small I was staring out amongst the trees. To think that all their lives are especially important to themselves just as my own is, but I am one me, and there were thousands of trees in this Forest. Most of them as well we're taller than me, and many being so tall that I had to bend my neck upwards.

And just like that, I climbed my first state high point. It's nothing I really ever saw myself doing, until one of my friends gave me the motivational soapbox and encouraged me to go and see the world. So now, I finally had another very good reason to keep going, too. Needless to say, I doubt that I will ever get to all 50 of them, especially considering how difficult Denali of a hike is. However, this doesn't mean that I won't try. If you have the urge or desire to, please join me in your high-pointing adventure and let me know how it turns out for you.

Goats and Boats

In late 2017, I took a hike on the Billy Goat Trail in southern Maryland. This trail straddles Virginia and spans just three or four miles. However, these miles are filled with intense bouldering and rock climbing, as well as a Switchback or two. There is not a whole lot of flat hiking to be found. This like also straddles the Potomac River, and intersects with the historical loch houses of the Potomac watershed. Because of the nature of this Trail, the trails website encourages you to bring at least two liters of water, drink your water, definitely attempt to stay hydrated, and if you're hiking the a section of the trail, just leave the dogs at home.

The boat portion of the post.

Once you get past the guest house, which lies inside a Tavern and has a cute little gift shop, you will get to the trailheads as he walked past the locks. These historic water displacement systems allowed for boats to travel from a deeper area of water to a more shallow area of water, and before being shut down, these ones were operated by hand crank. Being a boat worker and docker barely pay the bills and was very intense labor. However, it was a very important job, as several hundred ships came in and out of this part of the river every day to deliver Goods inland two colonies that settled near the Potomac Watershed and Virginia and Maryland. Trains were just being developed at this time, and cars were a far cry from reality.

Another thing to see before hiking the trail is Olmsted Island. It is one of Maryland's last surviving completely self-sustaining ecosystems, and contains many hydroponic plants and flowers. It is a beautiful sight that overlooks the Potomac Rivers Majestic waterfall. Needless to say, I fell in love from the moment I laid eyes on it. It was quite a Blissful sight, and made for a wonderful photo opportunity.

The Island Portion of the Hike.

As for the hike itself, it was not a particularly easy one. The reason why dogs are not allowed on the trail is because there are a lot of slippery Solid Rock surfaces they must be scrambled during the hike. And by that, I mean a good third of the hike comprises crazy Cliffs and bouldering. Although these were very fun to climb, as all rock surfaces are for me, it was definitely easy to lose one's breath, and occasionally, site of the Trail Blazer's as well. What's some fortitude and a Keen Eye though, it was very possible to hike this Trail in less than 3 hours.

Overall difficulty, I would give this Trail a 4 out of 10. It's not a walk in the park, but it isn't going to break you, either. There are some difficult Rock scramble sections that involve some tact and planning to complete, and there are a few Rocky sections throughout the trail.

The "Goat" Portion of the hike.

What does make it worth it though are the trails views. Since the trail straddles the Potomac River, there are several sections where you can walk right up to the river at a beachfront, And get a bird's eye view from the top of a rock formation. It is a very populated Trail as well, so you're likely to meet some friends along the way. Does one particular part of the trail where I climbed to the top of a rock formation and sat with three strangers and stared at the river going Downstream. Being outdoors really does bring people together, and if you're ever near the Virginia side of Maryland, this Trail is absolutely worth seeing.