The Two Towers

In Jarrettsville Maryland, about 25 miles Southeast of Bellaire, there lies a state park with lots of beautiful rock formations. Rocks State Park used to be home to the susquehannock Indian tribe, has three and a half miles of beautiful trails, in the challenging climb to the king and queen seat, a rock formation that stands 200 feet above Deer Creek below.

The main men in action: Travis in front, and me in the background.

when I climbed this rock formation, admittedly I didn't know what a wild ride I would be in for. The trails themselves were fairly easy to navigate, but climbing up to the top of the king and queen seat both required a lot of focus and energy. One false move could mean a long and potentially lethal drop. Factor this in with the cardio needed to climb up the first set of rocks, and you have a difficult like ahead of you.

when you get to the top though, you will realize just how worth it your hike was. Some of the most beautiful Forest views I've ever seen came from the top of King's seat comma because the way that the Kings seat juts out into nature makes it look like you were on the peak of the world.

All Things Considered, this like it's at least a solid 4 out of 10 on the difficulty scale. All of the trails are not very long, climbing up to see the things that you want to see prove to be very difficult. However, it doesn't get much higher over rating because it's not the hardest type that I've ever done. there are also some State high points that have yet to be seen that would provide a similar experience. there are also much more arduous hikes ahead of me.

on top of this beautiful scenery, there are two Satellite Parks nearby, as well as Kilgore Falls. This secluded location provides a nice natural getaway on one of the most peaceful waterfalls in Northern Maryland. The rushing water is blissful, and getting to it is relatively easy as long as you know which path to take.

Just look at that lovely water!

Northern Maryland has a lot of great hiking opportunities, so there is no doubt in my mind that I will be back to score some more of them.

What Should I Bring Hiking?

Being an eagle scout as an avid Outdoorsman, I've done quite a lot of hiking and time spent outside in my life. The Scout motto is to be prepared, which always comes in handy. My personal mottos are to learn to improvise and to not overcompensate, though, which are also very important rules to live by. This is especially true if you're packing for any sort of trip and what you will not be around the comforts of home, which will pretty much be everywhere, unless you are camping out in the hotel room instead of in tents. Here, I've compiled list of some items you should definitely bring and not bring on a hiking trip.

1) A compass or some other method of orientation (such as a sextant).

When you're out in the wilderness, your surroundings can change in an instant, leaving you lost for words as to where you are located. As a rule of thumb, it is important to not rely on a GPS or piece of electronic equipment to bring you back to civilization. In the wilderness, electronics are prone to fail, lose service, or die. Learning how to use a compass will be a valuable skill. Just as well, there are several tips and tricks to finding society when you are lost.


2) A water filter.

Of course, when you're out hiking, you need to remain hydrated. If you're in the middle of the woods and your water supply runs out, having a water filter can save you from almost certain dehydration on your hike. There are some that are so efficient that you can put it in the stream and drink directly from the stream. I've taken many a drink from many a stream, but it is much more efficient and healthy and safe if it has been purified or filtered.

3) Lots of Trail Mix or granola.

When you are out hiking, it is easy to forget to eat lunch, lost in the beauty of your surroundings. Is even more likely that you will run out of physiological fuel and need to replenish. When I hike, I always bring a bag of granola trail mix with me to put put a pleasant taste in my mouth and to replenish my energy.

4) Airtight bags containing extra clothing and rain gear.

On this note, learning how to gauge the weather patterns by looking at the clouds in the sky is a valuable skill, as is checking the weather forecast before departing. You should always come prepared with extra clothing in case of inclement weather, and keeping it in air-tight bags will ensure that your clothing actually stays dry should your pack run out of water proofing. Getting a can of waterproof spray is also a helpful precautionary measure as well.

5) A first aid kit.

There are many of small pocket-size first aid kits available nowadays, and each one is very valuable for trail hiking. A lot of camping stores also give free or discounted classes on wilderness medicine, where you will learn the difference between treatments and items for discounted price. One notable store is REI.

6) A multi-purpose tool.

Trying to cut a piece of tinder for your fire? Open a bottle or can? File something down to size? Need to fix a loose nut or Bolt somewhere along the line? A multi-purpose tool will become your best friend as such. Plenty of retailers carry multi-purpose tools, and finding a good one is essential for any outdoorsman.

7) Safety items, such as a magnesium stick, whistle, and rechargeable flashlight.

Purchasing a wind-up flashlight or flashlight with rechargeable batteries will come in great usage out in the wilderness, where there is a great potential to see nothing for miles and miles and quite literally so. You can use a flashlight as a signal, to see your way around, or even as a way of telling directions if you know how. With a magnesium stick, you won't have the risk of it getting wet like matches or drying out and cracking like flint and steel. A magnesium stick such as this one goes right on the keychain and produces an insane amount of Sparks when scraped with a steel knife. And a whistle will come in great use as well if you are stranded (or bored).

8) A companion.

By way of common knowledge, it is always a good idea to utilize the buddy system when in an unfamiliar area, especially when that area happens to be fairly uncharted and unorganized territory. Not only will you reduce your risk of falling victim to an injury and not being able to receive medical attention or help, but bringing a friend with you ensures that you have someone to share your wonderful memories with. The best voyages are often taken with the company of others. And, if you lack the resources of outdoorsy friends, then try to stick to well-lit and highly-traveled areas.

9) Rechargeable batteries and a battery recharger.

If you have anything at all that runs on electronics, getting rechargeable batteries and a portable recharging station can be the difference between life and death. If you don't have access to a recharging station, make haste to bring plenty of extra batteries. Solarchargers also come in handy for cell phones end other USB adaptive technology, since you definitely won't have access to a wall outlet in the middle of the Woods.

10) Pack smart, pack light.

In general, remember to pack light and only pack what you need. When searching for gadgets online, try to get a gadget that does at least more than one thing. It will save on pack weight and overall expenditure. For comparison, this survival kit only costs around $30, whereas the individual components would be well over $40 and take up more space. 

These are just a few of the basics, which hopefully prepare you for a successful excursion outdoors.

My Personal Founding Father

My personal founding father

For those of you that may not know, I am from a little state called Pennsylvania. He translates from Penn's Woods, and was founded in 1683 by William Penn. Originally, I never had no one or never would have guessed that the founder of my state was originally from a small town that I worked in for my first occupational therapy placement. At the end of the four week placement though, my educator took me to a pub called the Pennsylvanian that was named after him, and then to the local museum then had a detailed plan about his life.  I then found out where he was buried, set my sights on going to visit him.

The stone above was part of his homestead in Pennsylvania.

To see the grave of William Penn, I had to walk through 20 minutes worth of British countryside near the Chilterns. There was no pavement to be found on the road, and in certain parts there was no strip of grass or forest to walk on either, so it was incredibly terrifying. Oddly enough, I went on a sunny day in February where there were not a lot of people on the road, so I could sprint a long open sections of road if need be.

After walking a mile and crossing the road at least 13 times to avoid becoming road pancake, I finally found it, the small cemetery in which William Penn was buried. I had a brief chat with him and thank him for all that he had done in America to found the nation, and then I followed the footpath out of the cemetery and into the small town of Jordans, where his first Quaker community was settled.

The man who helped to found America.

 I got a bottle of water in the Jordans community store after a quick little hike up the road, and I could still smell stale hickory smoke filling the air. Likely due to the quaintness, Jordans won an award in 2018 for the best kept village in Buckinghamshire. I introduced myself to the shopkeeper, and immediately, the rest of the customers started chatting to me as well. After all, it isn't every day that you meet an American from Pennsylvania in the town that was settled by the man who settled Pennsylvania.

I then went to a little pub called the Jolly Cricketers in Seer Green. it was a quaint location with a very small town and home vibe. I would recommend this pub to anyone who is able to make it up that way, although getting there from London isn't exactly easy if you don't have your own car or the money for an Uber.

After this, I returned back to my domicile to rest up. This was the day that I went to see the founder of my state. Stay tuned for more adventures!

Return to the Sun

The second full trip I took to Florida incurred a lot of positive memories. I knew that I could tolerate travel at this point in my life, and on top of that, I was also a legal adult now. That didn't mean that I was no longer a kid at heart, though, as I still was into the same old things that I was always into at this point in time. My mother found cheap tickets to fly from Harrisburg Airport down to Orlando Florida, where are Aunt would once again pick us up as she had for my last trip down to Florida.

This time, we had plans made prior to even arriving. One day would be spent entirely with family. The following day we would drive down to Miami and go shopping for a little bit. That we will take our time driving through the keys for an entire day, remembering to stop and enjoy the scenery in Key West. Then we would drive back up to our hotel in Miami, stay the night, and then drive all the way back up to Orlando.

Before our grandiose plans began, we decided to visit the local Beach, Venice Beach. Ran to my scampered along the shoreline making sandcastles and collecting seashells. I would bring some of these back up to Pennsylvania with me. The beach was beautiful, and there were plenty of sites to see and we have to feel crash upon my face.

My aunt and I let my mother relax for a day, as we took a track up to Winterstown Florida to visit the official Legoland. It was absolutely incredible, as everything there was made out of Legos. Even some of the rides and attractions were made out of Legos. I had a blast, as well as having my first 7-Eleven smoothie on the way back home. Then, my family came to town for a little while.

About a half-dozen of my family members live in Florida, making family reunions rather difficult at times. As fate would have it though, they were all able to come visit one day, and we went out to dinner. Visiting family in a foreign place is wonderful, as you really get to learn more about them in their natural environment versus what you see while they're on vacation. The tables have really turned. I spent a whole day with them, feeling them in about my life and enjoying their presents, before we begin searching for other day trips.

Compared to the first time I went Timberland oh, this trip was more filled with relaxation time. Considering is to hell I was having a very busy last semester of high school, any vacation time was greatly appreciated. This time I was older, wiser, and started blending in with the locals. Even though it was 73 degrees outside, shorts weather for me, the residents of Florida were all wearing long pants and jackets. By the third and fourth day I honestly felt myself doing the same thing. I guess there is one downside to going to Florida in the winter after all.

Although brief, this is a good summation of my time in Florida. Florida is the state with the most amount of retirees, as more people come here to retire than any other state. They want to warm up the cold bones year-round I suppose. Regardless, Florida is a wonderful place that must be visited by one and all.

President's Picnic

President’s Picnic

When I was approximately 4 years old, I went to discover Richard Nixon state park for the first time in my life. There was some activity is being lead for youth education at the time, as we took an interesting personality test to discover what dinosaur we were most like. We then were asked to draw that dinosaur, and the best-looking dinosaur want some sort of prize. To this day, I have the artistic capabilities of figgy pudding, so I did not win the prize. However, inside their ecological Center, I did learn a lot that day about the evolution of species throughout time.

I Revisited Richard Nixon park for the first time since then when I was 22. The ecological Center has ex‐ panded to include exhibits on flora and fauna around the United States and in this part of Pennsylvania that I live in. I stopped by because I wanted to go on a hike and see what their Trails were like, as I had a serious Edge to go out and go hiking one day but no way to fill it without too far of a drive. So, my friend Brett and I found ourselves out at Richard Nixon Park, hiking one of their shortest trails.

This state park has several trails that all loop around or through the periphery of the park and then some. That was transfer time, we decided to take the shortest trail that cut through the center of the park. There were actually a couple of switchbacks on this little Trail, but it eventually led to an open field with a platform in but it eventually led to an open field with a platform in the center of it. I still don't top of the platform and felt omnipotent. I also found a caterpillar on the platform and made friends with it, shooting some pictures before letting him go on the nearby plant.

Before I knew it, time for me to go to work had to come. I knew that before long I would come back and Hike more of the trails one day, still thoroughly impressed at how far Richard Nixon park has come. I will come back to the park to do more hiking as time permits in my hectic schedule and life course.

Old Rag Water... I mean, Mountain

Panorama of the Mountainside.

My friend Travis, who is an avid outdoorsman, took me hiking on Old Rag Mountain, a hike he did several years prior, which lies in the Shenandoah mountain range. This is an easy hike that involves a little bit of rock climbing, some incredible views, and the potential to see some awesome Wildlife. It is also historic, as a lot of settlers pass through this mountain range and bygone days. As such, I had it down to my friends house in Westminster Maryland directly after the end of school one day, so that we could be up at Daybreak to take the 3-hour drive down to the mountain.

For those of you that have been following along with my blog, this is where I fervently mention to you that I am not a morning person. Whatsoever. Since starting a full-time job at the age of 23, I've gotten much better at being a morning person, but not by choice. By necessity only. That being said, getting me out of bed at 6 in the morning wasn't the easiest task, but considering is it hell we have taken a plethora of trips together by now, it wasn't too difficult to get me stirring either. We stopped at Dunkin Donuts for a sandwich wrap and coffee, and embarked on a drive to the mountain.

The crest of the mountain what's to come somewhere around 3000 ft. When we parked, it was very chilly, and I remember being bundled up in a layer or two upon paying the park ranger for our parking Fair. The heck wooden compas a decent bit of elevation gain over the next few miles and the next three hours, with the hike itself taking about four and a half hours total. The last hour of the hike was mostly climbing rocks and scrambling over rocks, and it was there that I met a lot of very sweet individuals who I communicated with while we were waiting. This Mountainside was actually very populated on this day.

The views were wonderful!

The views that I got from the mountain side as well as the crest of the mountain itself in the peak where all inspiring. Considering is the hell this hike was the first real hike I've taken in several years, it was completely exhilarating, leaving me breathless and feeling on top of the world. It was incredible view from the top, and we could see you for at least the next 100 miles and in a given Direction. I ran into a couple with a backpacking stove, who came down from Massachusetts to hike the entire Shenandoah over the next week. I also met a family of four, who are the 12 Ox trembling and helping their 7 year old son 2 complete the hike. He actually was hiking at a smoother Pace than I was, too.

On a scale of 1 to 10, the difficulty of this hike is about a two and a half. It's not an easy walk on a flat Trail, and there will be some switchbacks, but it is a very comfortable hike that most anybody can complete. I actually encountered a set of nuns that came from a Convent in Ohio and we're on an Eco Dharma trip to hike as much as possible, and although approaching their 50s, they reach the summit well before I did after passing us. I also encountered an individual who ran up the mountain and ran the trail back down before we were even 2/3 of the way to the summit.

All the aforementioned is outstanding and withstanding proof that you will meet many kinds of individuals and acquire stories to tell for years to come. All of this because you decided to step outside of your comfort zone and outside of your house. Old Rag Mountain is amongst the highest peaks in the Shenandoah mountain range, and not located but 15 miles from the nearest Big City. It is absolutely worth the visit if you can budget the time to do so.

Mountain Man Peters

Peters Mountain is a mountain just above Painesville, which lies just above Duncannon in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The trail that we took started in Inglenook, and cross the railroad track and intersected with the Appalachian Trail. the entire Loop, if it were to be Heights, to get to the summit, what have taken about 2 and 1/2 hours and spans over 3 miles. The entire loop around the mountain is 15 miles, and intersects with a Wilderness portion of the Appalachian Trail.

For my difficulty scale, I would give it about a 3.5 out of 10. If you go hiking often enough, it isn't a hard hike at all. However, if new are even slightly out of shape, the steepness and incline of some of the hills can be killer. I brought two friends with me, one who is a hiker and one who is severely asthmatic, and the asthmatic did not have the greatest go of it. We hiked for a total of 2 miles and still didn't reach the shelter, as the trails are deceptively long, and very challenging.

the other complaint the only other complaint that I had about this Trail was that it was so close to the interstate, but until you got further into the trail, you would hear rushing cars going by. Once you get past that however, the scenery is stunning and beautiful, with clear shots of the small towns nearby and the rivers that intersect them. it's not too far from Harrisburg or York, so it is definitely a location I will be going back to at some point in time for trail running exercises.

I already know that I intend to hike bigger and badder mountains, so this one will really help me get into shape for the trails ahead. It is an excellent exercise Trail if you are learning to Sprint trails with all of your gear on, which is something I plan on doing at some point in time. I also didn't see too much of the trail since it was a rainy day, and because I had the constraints of both of my friends needing to go to work, I didn't get to hike as much of it as I wanted to.

A view from the top.

The trail is right next to a large portion that intersect with the Appalachian mountain range, so it is definitely worth a visit if you have the time and resources to do so.

Apex of the Earth

Ever dream of a magical land where the sunsets seems to be swallowed by the Earth? Well, if you go to Holtwood, Pennsylvania, you can experience just that. One of my friends from undergrad and I were hanging out one day, and she decided to take a road trip. And I were hanging out one day and she decided to take a road trip, and Pinnacle Overlook is where we ended up Landing. She was originally from Pequea, which is about 5 miles away from the area. There was half a foot of snow on the ground when we arrived, but two to Avid adventurers, that didn't seem to matter.

Getting to the Overlook at self wasn't the easiest of Adventures, as we needed to drive through winding Backwoods for about a half hour before arriving at a metal gate. When we stepped out of the car, we quickly realized that to get to the Overlook, we would have to tread through the snow for about a half mile. And so, we did. We scurried along down a little dirt bike path to get to The Overlook at self, and when we arrived, it was quite unlike any magical site I've ever seen before.

The Overlook sits directly on the Susquehanna River, overlooking a rock formation and small wind farm on the other side of the Susquehanna. When the sun sets here, the sun either sinks into the mountain or drops directly into the Susquehanna River. It is an absolutely magical site, with one of the nicest panoramic views I have ever seen. It doesn't close too much of anything, but with the Tequan Glen Nature Reserve being there by which I will detail in another post, it is definitely worth an adventure for one day.

The Overlook on a Misty Afternoon.

So, there you have it. If you ever find yourself in southern Pennsylvania, go to the southern part of Susquehanna River and go to the Overlook. You won't regret it.

On Eagle's Wings

When I was a scout, and the Boy Scouts of the United States of America, there was very little that I ever wanted to do with the outside world. It was pulling teeth to even contemplate dragging me on a camping trip, and four out of six years I went to summer camp I probably was unofficially awarded the biggest pansy award. I love my novelty of indoors, but mostly just missed showering and did not have an affinity for sweating constantly. However, even after sitting a Tenderfoot for 2 years, I never stop giving up on rank advancement. My dad only made it to life Scout, and he really wanted me to strive for Eagle Scout and push myself. It has definitely come in handy and anyways since then, and I was bound upon that further in a book.

As for now, it is important to understand that the feat was accomplished. I was able to get my Eagle Scout award after 10 years of service to the BSA. To this day, I come back as I'm able to and assist as a junior assistant scoutmaster. I learned as much as I could, overcame a lot of adversity, and even eventually learned how to survive being out of the house.

Not only did being in Boy Scouts contribute to my passion of travel, but it really taught me how to appreciate nature and all of its small intricacies. Although I am also guilty myself, I must mention that there is so much that you miss when they are staring down at a small little computer screen in your hand. Being in Scouts, we were not allowed to have technology with us on trips in my troop, or it'd be confiscated, screwed with, and then given back to us after the trip. I didn't want any of the above to happen, so I was pretty complacent.

Although I have switched troop snow as I've grown older, being a scoutmaster for a younger troop with fewer members, some of my best memories were with my old troop, troop 94. In 9th grade, we met up with a sister troop from Duncannon, an hour away from us, and we canoed and kayaked 40 miles on the Juniata River over an entire weekend. We hit the bike trails of Gettysburg, slept in the Backwoods of northeast Pennsylvania, visited the military base in the USS battleship, took a couple of historical hikes with lots of information, hiked the Appalachian Trail, and just in general got out and enjoyed nature and did things that the average teenager wouldn't do on a weekend.

Scouting taught me basic essential life skills that have helped me in every aspect of my life. Even the 12 point Scout Law and Scout Oath have become integral Dogma and my interactions with other human beings, and have been practiced so thoroughly that they are now a subconscious part of who I am. And now, I get to pass my experiences and scouting down to next generation of Scouts and leaders. Who knows, one of the kids I am teaching the day could end up being our surgeon general or President...

There are 12 points of the Scout Law, the Scout Law is as follows:

 A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

The Scout Oath:

As an American, I will do my best, to do my duty, to God and my country, and to obey Scout Law. To help other people at all times. To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

If you combine these things with a passion for being outside and putting the out into Scout, experiencing everything that you possibly can, then you will make a Great Scout. Your average teenager won't be putting on three layers of jackets and sleeping on the ground in the middle of the Woods, surviving off of rations and scavenged food and the fire that you've learned how to build yourself without matches. The average teenager will not go mountain climbing, where hiking, or seeing historical sites on the week end. They will not explore nature, meet friends with common interests, shoot at targets, throw hatchets, make explosions (usually when a rocket launch goes wrong), learn 23 life skills over a few years while still young, or organize and lead a conservation project. These are all things that scouts do, and if you're serious about it, you'll even ascend to Eagle.

Park Contemplations

One day in April, I was working on my book at a local park. I was using my voice text on my phone to type up notes concerning the book I was writing about dementia care at the time. When I got to the park, there were two groups of children playing on the big toy and the swingset respectively. From being out in nature and typing my notes, catching up on some much-needed Vitamin D from the winter months, I noticed a couple of things:

1) Kids actually still go outside.

In process of getting older, although only 23 at the time, I've grown quite cynical of generations below me. Just as the generation before me was under the assumption that Millennials would amount to very little, I was under the impression that the Youth of Generation Z would be hiding and doors, engaging an antisocial activities and sitting on their cell phones and Xbox all day long. I was happy to note that this was not the case, and that on a wonderful day such as today, they were still outside enjoying the Sun at each other's company.

2) The youth in 2018 used much more vulgarity.

when I was a kid, if you use any sort of vulgar language, your mouth got smacked. Now, I would place these children at about 7 to 12 years old, and they swear like sailors. Very fascinating.

3) Their language is much more inclusive then the generations before.

I actually overheard a conversation with two of the older kids as they were talking about lgbtq and trying to identify who in the group might be. They talked about it openly, however, which is something that would have never happened when I was their age. this could potentially be the beginnings of positive culture change.

4) They still play games together.

One group of children were sitting at the big toy chatting away together, and another group went up to the basketball court to play kickball together. I'm so glad to see that kids are still going outside and participating in Pro social activities and games together, as I thought it was a long lost art myself. I just hope this continues for years to come.

I am by no means whatsoever bashing on any one particular generation or group of individuals in general. I am simply noticing observations I made about the world around me in recent years. Things are changing rapidly, and sometimes, I feel as though I cannot keep up. However, that's for the way the world is going, it's not as bad as people interpret it to be. Kids still have the ability to have kids, and exercise that right freely. We are all getting older, there's nothing we can do to change that. So it's important to remember to slow down and enjoy the sunlight at the park once in awhile.

The Longest Road in America

No hiker's guidebook would be complete without mentioning the Appalachian Trail. This Trail starts in Maine, with Mount Katahdin, One of the highest and hardest state highpoints, and spans 2100 miles of Urban and Wilderness hiking, ending at Springer Mountain, Georgia. There are a lot of hostels along the way with historic stops and sightseeing, and of course, lots and lots of Switchback hiking.

Although I haven't personally done a whole lot of Appalachian Trail hiking, I have read stories about

people who go through hiking on the trail, and I have hiked a little bit of it myself. If you want to plan a hike, you need to know how far you plan to go, how long you're going to be on the trail each day, and lots of Prior planning for costs and food and shelter. I have seen videos ofI have seen videos of people preparing for the trip, planning their hiking course, and seeing a living room floor completely covered in two layers of non-perishable and freeze-dried foods. I have encountered people who have gone hiking on the trail, and they have told me their expenses and their costs and whatnot.

The first time I did any hiking on the Appalachian Trail, it was on the portion in Pennsylvania right above Duncannon. We hiked about five miles, stopping for snacks and pictures along the way. I was 10 years old and it was very intense. Fast forward a couple years, and I've hiked a little bit more of it, hiking the portion right next to Duncannon, and also hiking 5 miles of it near Mount Rogers in Virginia. The hiking on the Appalachian Trail is some of the hardest hiking I have done so far, as the climate and terrain can change so rapidly out on the fields.

If you're planning to hike the Appalachian Trail, it is most important to set a reasonable pace for yourself. Decide whether or not you want to thruhike, section hike, or just go out for a couple miles to say that you hiked on the trail. The first aid kit should always be utilized, and compression bandages never hurt either. The first time I hiked the trail, I got a blister, and mole skin came to me as a godsend. The second time I hiked, I pulled a muscle in my knee, and I needed to go out and buy a compression stocking to alleviate the pain for the rest of my trip.

You'll Appalachian Trail also has some of the most versatile flora and fauna I've ever seen, and the same goes for the trail itself. One second, you are trotting along through flat grassy paths, and the next you are scrambling over rocks. Another part of the trail, there was completely flooded due to a rainstorm two nights prior and the grounds not being as porous in that part. We also saw plenty of different birds hiding in the trees, and of course, bears are known to make an appearance occasionally as well. This hike is not for the faint of heart, but if you're somebody that enjoys nature, it is one that absolutely needs to be done.

Fly Like a Hawk

Tucked away in a little town called Duncannon is the Hawk Rock Ridge and Trail. The starting point of the trail is marked very differently from where the GPS directs you to go, which led to some confusion the first time I was there. The trail, however, is massive and fortuitous, and boasts one of the best views of Duncannon and the surrounding area for several miles. The trails surrounding Hawk Rock are part of the Appalachian Trail, and extend at least 6 miles. Hawk Rock itself is about 1030 feet above sea level. The path that I have taken twice is only about a mile long though, and gains about 750 feet in elevation.

When you park at the water reservoir to begin your hike up the mountain side, there are a couple of signs four different paths to take. From here, the one pass right in front of you is the most direct. You'll climb for about a half-hour through nearly constant switchbacks, but you'll make it to the beautiful mountain face in no time. The first time I went, I went with two friends, and one had a gimpy leg at the time. The second time I went, I went with an Eagle Scout friend of mine who is also an avid hiker. As such, my first scale of the mountain took about two hours; this one only took about 30 minutes. It is a relaxing trail that can easily be done by any family at their own pace.

The view is immense.

The difficulty for this hike is about a two out of 10. It's not long; it's not terribly intense either. Walking at a comfortable pace, it's not hard to make it to the point of interest within an hour of walking. Scenery wise, although it isn’t the highest or the grandest, it is up there. You get such a breathtaking wide-angle glimpse of the entire surrounding area, and it is amazing. It is one of those mountains that will make you wish you could fly away like a little hawk, and it will leave you pondering just how small we all are.

Pretty much anybody can hike this mountain regardless of stamina or stature. And it is absolutely worth it, because at the end, the views that you will see are incredible. It is a gentle reminder of how inferior human beings are, and just how Grand everything else is. All they're not the best view I've ever seen hiking a mountain, it is well worth the experience once. You will see over all of Greater Duncannon. And, you'll wish that you as well could fly like a hawk.

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.

Many Waters of Virginia

One week in June, I went down to The Great Falls Park in Virginia. I met up with a good friend to go out for a day of hiking. We first started off with a warm up hike around Lake Anne, one of the four lakes in Northern Virginia. It has been modernized extensively, and included they Cafe, a bar, a couple retail outlets, and a bookstore that my friend and I went through to find some used literature. We walked around the perimeter of the lake, saw their Unitarian Universalist Church, and hit the road for Great Falls.

Blurry Aesthetics of the Great Potomac Falls.

In all honesty, I wasn't expecting the Great Falls to be as Majestic as they were, especially since I did not realize that I had already seen the other half of them from the Maryland side of the Potomac River. They were Majestic and grandiose, and the Riverside trail made for a very good 3-mile hike or so. It was a very easy trail of about a 2 out of 5. There's a network of trails in this area that you can choose from that extends about 12 miles, so pick your poison accordingly. Either way around, you will see the rivers, see the gorge, and see the beauty of nature as it was intended.

Take me with you to the ocean, sweet river.

After this adventure, we stopped by Cafe Sano, a small little cafe on one of the four legs. It was a Mediterranean restaurant that had very good small plates for decent price, with everything being fresh and mostly organic. It was here only got one of the best falafel wraps I've ever had, whilst enjoying the best homemade tzatziki sauce and ever had, was looking at the lake.

I then stopped at Cafe Amphora for a coffee and dessert with my friend. I had Tiramisu and a soy cappuccino, and fell in love with this little Bakery. It is here that you can actually sit in the Loft above the bakery and watch the bakers hard at work. It is a must-see for anybody who was in the area.

Fanny Mae Gardens  were the last stop on the days of venture, a Botanical Garden riddled with poetic prose and thoughts about the natural world scattered on top of stones throughout the pathway of the garden. It was behind an Urban spot of offices, and was really used by the people that work there. So on that day, we decided to put it to good use, admiring the beauty of nature, the flowers, and quotes by Henry David Thoreau, David Bryant, Sylvia Plath, and Emily Dickinson. They inspired me to be one with the world once more.

Although the hiking here wasn't the most intense thing I've ever done, it was still a very worthwhile trip to go and do for a day. I was extremely excited to be down in Virginia hiking with a close friend, and cannot wait until the day that I returned to like some more.

Why I Hike

I've talked about travel. I've talked about housing; I've talked about a lot of different places I've been. But now, even more so than when I did my Boy Scout post, I feel obligated to make a post describing the top 5 reasons why I hike. Hiking, or glorified trail walking, is an activity that used to be essential for survival. With modern technology and conveniences, is become a long-lost art to too many people. However, there are still others amongst us who enjoy the act of hiking. Here is why I do it.

1) You are constantly experiencing new environments.

When you are out there hiking, you're constantly being exposed to many different types of terrain at any given point in time. It really challenges your physical and mental limits. Not only have that, but everybody’s body reacts differently to different climates and environments. When you're out in wilderness, anything can happen, and it teaches you to be engaging in your surroundings and to be completely present in whatever task you are doing.

2) It keeps you in shape.

This obviously depends on the frequency of what you go hiking, but in general, let it be known that it is a great cardiovascular activity. Even for the infrequent hiker, it is still a good break from utilizing the treadmill, jogging the neighborhood, or of course, from being a couch potato. You really learned to utilize every muscle in your body to its Advantage as you scale steep terrains, go for miles on end without stopping, and put yourself at the mercy of Mother Nature. And eventually, with perseverance and practice, you might just become like the guy that I saw sprinting up and down the Shenandoah mountain range, trail running an average of 10 miles every day.

3) You get away from Modern conveniences.

It is the 21st century. We currently live in a world marred by technology that lives around every single corner. Regardless of creed, personal agenda, or any other opinion, it is generally agreeable that too much technology can be detrimental to one's well-being. After all, none of our settlers had iPods or cell phones. Although this deficit of Technology may be startling to some, two others, it is sacred. You get to experience life without modern conveniences, which in and of itself can teach people if thankfulness for all of life's little things that otherwise wouldn't be mentioned.

4) You get a huge system detox.

Having been around patients on concentrated oxygen through nasal cannula, I can firmly attached that nothing beats Fresh Air pump to straight from the trees and the clouds. You also get a huge vitamin D boost, and read your bodies of impurities while sweating out toxins on the trail. Take Along some trail mix filled with antioxidant berries, pack some leafy greens, drink a cup of green tea, and you've got it made.

5) You will never see these sites or meet these people hiding inside your house.

I have met so many wonderful people just by saying hello on the hiking trail or in a Pit Stop Restaurant. You’ll never know what you’ll find, and when you might find it.

This is a short list, but a comprehensive one. So what are you waiting for? Strap on your boots and hit the dirt highway!