Today I crossed the Allegheny Mountain Ridge after going through the valley I camped above last night.
The ridge teased me making I think I was about to head downhill
before showing its true colors with a second summit to pass
and then letting me onto a plateau I remain on tonight.
I passed by the flight 93 crash site, but I didn’t have the time or desire to go in. Working above the memorial pools in Manhattan for a few years is enough for me. I didn’t want to think about all the terror and suffering people must have felt, but there were more reminders of pain just down the hill.
I passed a few horribly maimed vehicles on the mountain side and was forced to wonder about the terrible feelings of others in an out of control situation and contemplate the outcome. I hope they lived even though the cars were destroyed. Then at a slight dip in the plateau I found a huge car graveyard. Instantly I went back to one of my most terrifying memories as a child. Watching The Brave Little Toaster and panicking as the old “worthless” but still alive cars were crushed.
Why is this movie making children confront death so bleakly!?
I continued past the graveyards and towards my destination of Somerset, Pa. where my dad had been kind enough to sweet talk a pastor into letting me set up camp on their lawn.
Then I hit the detour. The road ahead was closed. Shit. Google maps showed me the detour marked by the sign would only add a couple miles. Unfortunately the detour lead to a closed road.
Come on Pennsylvania road workers! Don’t make detours that lead to another closed road. That makes no sense whatsoever! I had to create my own detour… for the failed detour and ended up adding about 14 miles to what was supposed to be an easy 25 mile day. Now I’m almost at 40! and even past the ridge the plateau I’m on is all steep hills and hollows. I had to force myself every step up another hill at first with confidence and eventually with spite for the landscape. Hurling periodic curses at the steep slopes ahead of me and throwing up vulgar hand gestures.
But I made it! and above the church was a Boston RedSox Blimp
that matches my 20+ year old Pawtucket Pawsox hat I’m wearing everyday of this trip.
That is a good enough sign for me.
9 Comments
You are making great time, see you in STL next week…
Sounds grueling!
PA is its own world. Glad to see you’re moving on. Impressive distance so far.
Agree with all the comments—-great time, impressive distance & Grueling! Also felt sad at the car graveyard & for the little toaster. How is the blister? Are you maintaining your weight? (Don’t stop to answer these questions——just Keep Walking!)
My blisters are ok! Blisters never bother me much. They just feel like thicker parts of my foot that I avoid putting pressure on. I don’t think I’m
Maintaining weight which is good. I had 30-40 lbs to lose when I started. I was 177lbs and 20% body fat :/ and wasn’t happy about it. I already feel skinnier and stronger.
Tim, I think PA is beautiful, lots like MO, but then, again, I was driving, not walking!MIck
It is a lot like southern Missouri and is beautiful but sometimes my sore feet and aching thighs override the judgement of my eyes.
I love that the red sox blimp was above the church! Pretty good sign.
Congrats on being able to walk that far in a day. I hope today is easier.
you will be going thru our city tomorrow…
chatted with your Dad this morning. GODSPEED.