Our 1st PA Black Bear!!!

So, a few days ago, we are walking along and hear a sound in the woods. Now, I am so accustomed to these noises that I assume it is either a squirrel or chipmunk, and just keep on walking. Then, Sparky says, "Look, it's a bear!" No way, I thought, we haven't seen a bear since the Shenandoahs. But, lo and behold, there he was, a medium-sized black bear cruising about. He definitely knew we there and well, wasn't running towards us, but wasn't exactly running away either, so we decided it would be a good idea to walk SOUTH for bit...of course going south won't get you very far at all when it comes to reaching Maine. So after a few minutes, when Mr. Bear was a bit further from the trail, we continued on our journey. Gosh, I really wish I had pictures to document moments like these, but well I am too much of a scaredy-cat to hang around very long, guess I will have to buy the AT photo calendar or something when I finish the trip instead... Occassional bouts of going south aren't the only thing slowing us down. We came across an enormous blueberry patch the other day right along the trail. AYCE Blueberry Buffet!!! Gosh, it must have taken half an hour to walk 1/8 mile, and we loved every second of it. I would start walking, then notice Sparky eating, so I would stop again for more. Then, he would pass me, stop look back, see me eating, then stop too and eat some more. Well, just imagine the progress. Similar story occurred a few days later, just substitute the word "raspberries" for the word "blueberries." Copperhead! About a week ago, when I went ahead a bit to meet up with relatives, I was walking along ("Really? You were walking?"..."Yes, I decided to go for a walk that day.") when I spotted a copperhead. Yikes! He was right where I would expect him, on a rock basking in the sun. After all the black snakes, kind of cool to see a different variety of snakes (except of course that he is one of the evil ones!), however 3 secs of looking at him was more than enough time for me, so again no pictures... So rocks, and dirt, and trees, and overlooks where you can see towns, well, I am certainly enjoying myself immensely on this hike through the woods, however, it is definitely more motivating sometimes when you have people picking you up a certain day at a certain time...so I cranked out a few long days to meet my Uncle who picked me up in Port Clinton. (Woohoo! 34.8 is now my record high. The feeling in my legs definitely brought back great memories of that Warren Farms hill workout in high school, or better yet the hill workout we renamed "The Mountain" however I ended up that night at an enclosed shelter with a solar shower...Incredible.) We dove to Havertown, PA where I was spoiled rotten by my Uncle, Aunt, and cousin, who cooked amazing meals, took me on a shopping spree so I could have a break from my dry-fit shirts, and running shorts, and choffered me around... and now a week later, we were picked up in Wind Gap, by our friend Meghan from Peace Corps, and yes, are being spoiled once again. Hot shower, laundry, yummy pasta and meatballs, a trip to the movie theatre!!!, and much more coming tomorrow for the 4th of July. And the amazing friend and family mini- vacations (we call time off the trail a "vacation from a vacation" ) will continue in about a week in NY, with lots of Briggs family time!!! I have to say that I love the progression of hiking South to North, and really seeing some of the cultural differences within the US. Definitely have noticed changes since crossing over the Mason-Dixon line. The South certainly has a slower pace of life, most noticeable I feel in grocery stores, where the cashier, will carry out a whole conversation with the person in line in front of you and it is no big deal. But up here, you are in and out, just like that. People just seem more on the move up North, where in the South people would hang out in front of convenience stores for hours calling it their "front porch." Of course the trail has changed from the "Appalatchin Trail" to the "Appalachian Trail." And the menus are changing as well, from ordering grits, and biscuits and gravy, to ordering cheese steaks and pierogies. I remember talking to one hiker from New Zealand a while back who said, "You know, the States are really 48 different countries, and I don't think many people really realize that." It is fun to be able travel in my own country and learn more about it, after spending the past few years overseas. Oh yes, and it must be July because "I'm going to need an ocean...of calamine lotion!" Uh-oh. Poison Ivy season is here, and so far I have a few dots on my legs, just hoping it won't spread too much. We'll see though, my family certainly has a record of being covered in that yucky, itchy stuff.... Until NY, have a festive 4th of July!