Today, I hiked 16.5 miles to a stealth campsite on top of a rocky ridge. I am with Professor and Bluejay. I am cowboy camping, which is just my bag on the rocks, no tent. Hoping for some great views of stars tonight. Also hoping no snakes try to warm up with me.
The trail today was rocky with some steep and and downs, climbing some vertical wall faces. Some climbs were challenging, but fun and tiring at the same time. It was not an easy day, but it was a good day. Someone left a lot of water at most of the road crossings today. That was so appreciated as it was warm and not much water was available from natural sources. Trail Magic! I got to thank one person I met who put some out. It was so warm, I hiked shirtless today. Only had to say “Ladies, my eyes are up here” 20 or some times. Haha. It is forecast to be in the 90s most of the week, so ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
Walked, climbed and had to take my pack off to get through the Lemon Squeezer.
My hiking partners and I walked down into a state park picnic/beach area. They had soda and ice cream down there. It was great. Professor started talking with a family I having a bbq in the picnic area. Before you know it, the family gave us amazing Spanish Rice, grilled chicken and prime rib. Crazy amazing and so greatful. Trail magic!
Goodnight from the woods.
J's Blog 
Well how did that rock cot work out for you? You must be in a bug free zone. So nice to have all that water left, especially when it’s so darn hot. All that trail magic does just warm the heart, so many caring people.
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Slept well enough. Was not close to bug free.
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The Trail Magic just warms my heart! And I am sure that you appreciate it so very much. People are good.
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Nice day, J, w/plenty of food and water along the trail… even a nice flat rock to sleep on!
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Wow its mind blowing that just over a few miles lies on of the most populated cites in the world! Have you bounced bsck from the giardia bug? …….Boy your sure seeing a good amount of snakes…Stay strong….
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I feel pretty good. I see lots of snakes, normally I do not mention most of them.
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Rocks, rocks, rocks, and more rocks, you walk on them, you slip on them, you climb on them, you squeezed through them, you stub your toe is on them, you ruin your shoes on them, and now you want to sleep on them? Have a great day, stay safe.
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Rocks happen.
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It’s encouraging that you’re seeing all this nice herp wildlife. Salamanders are so hard to come by these days and I just love snakes. It’s been raining here quite a bit, in fact some bad floods up in Duluth area washed out some roads. I haven’t heard of anyone in MN getting hurt by the floods, but lately I am outside enjoying the summer too much to catch up on the news. Rain is ok, but you know over here we like to complain about the humidity. We had enough of that to last a while. Not much else going on. Still waiting on our manager to get hired, and living the dream.
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There was a tornado last night where I was. Lots of wildlife. NY is pretty, but a tough state.
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