Poodle moth, Venezuela

Originally uploaded by artour_a

I have been following this photostream for a while now. I usually love to see the photos of insects and creatures from the far reaches of the world, and on top of that they are usually very nice photos as well.
This time however the specimen is more interesting than the photo, but to the point where i had to share. This is one of the first animal/ insect photos that has ever made me a do a double take and then search for the name.

this “Poodle moth” from venezuela looks like something out of the Jim Henson Studios, i’m not 100% sure that this isnt actually a Muppet no matter what, i had to share this with the greater world. be sure to check out the rest of the photostream!

0106802151

Originally uploaded by ContentUnknown.com

the last step was to finally bluetooth all of the photos from my phone to the computer, it only took a few hours, and all i had to do was click send via bluetooth a millions times and wait. But, i am really a fan of the cell photos, most of them are photos i took to send to my girlfriend or other people back home, but many are just because the cellphone is often more convenient and sometimes it was a necessity, like on the final three miles when my cameras memory car malfunctioned and wouldn’t write anything new.

Picture 12

Originally uploaded by ContentUnknown.com

My first actual photos in a publication other than one for school, I shot the photos for the feature article on McGillins Old Alehouse for Philly Beer Scene Magazine, you can check out the article online on their website @ http://www.beerscenemag.com/ , or look for the December/January issue in the Philadelphia area, wherever fine beers are sold.

It’s been a few months now since I updated anything in the wordpress world, honestly it was becoming a drain to find a computer that was open for use. Various libraries in New England charge nonresidents to use the internet, and in the scramble to resupply, rest, and eat heartily it was often to much to ask. That said, I Finished my AT hike on October 5, 2009.  The lowest temperature I experienced was only 27F  which, in the world of late season hiking is relatively warm, some friends hiked in the White Mountains and had days that never exceeded -20F.

The video above tracks the pounding of my feet along the last 281.4 miles of the trail Maine.  Maine is without a doubt the most beautiful place I have hiked.   My only regret is not having more time to spend exploring.  Maine is chock full of waterfalls, great expansive views and rugged beautiful terrain, not to mention the small towns throughout Maine are an incredible slice of Americana.

With out a doubt, some of the most difficult sections of trail are in South West Maine.  The Mahoosuc notch for example, a one mile boulder field in a narrow ravine takes over an hour to traverse.  Hikers must climb up, over, under, around and squeeze through small openings between rocks. Said rocks vary in size from a small car to a small house, not to mention the water flowing through the lower levels as well as year round ice in some places.   When I passed through we were lucky enough not to be in heavy rain or freezing temperatures, however everything was quite wet from the long drizzly days.  Lichen, moss and algae were all slick, and places void of soft slippery vegitation are often quite rough, my water logged hands were no match and before long I had a raw spot.  My left palm has just fully healed two months later.

To follow up the Mahoosuc Notch, is the Mahoosuc Arm, without a doubt, the most difficult section of The AT in Maine, nearly vertical smooth rock climbs for over one hundred yards. Not to mention it’s conveniently located so that you are running on less food than you would like, well I was anyway and it was cold too…

The Mahoosuc Arm aside, the rest of Maine, though often challenging, is so incredibly beautiful that one hardly notices the difficulty.  There are lakes and streams everywhere, it’s hard to resist a dip, even in temperatures below 50F. The Hundred Mile Wilderness, is spectacular, early on there are a few smaller rugged mountains with bogs, balds, craggy rocks and steep climbs, but after about 40 miles the terrain begins to level out, and travels over mostly gradual hills and and dense beautiful hardwood forests, in late September the trail was littered with gold and scarlet leaves from maple and beach trees. Through the Hundred mile the trail weaves between lakes with sandy or pebbly shores and follows streams filled with crystal clear ice cold water.   The last stretch goes through Glacial boulder fields, huge round rocks capped with green moss and ferns, surrounded by green forest floor. I averaged 20 miles a day through this section, and slept under the shelter sleeping platform twice, as it was cold, rainy, and full of other hikers who had taken shorter days, in hopes of reaching Katahdin on a nicer day.

Entering Baxter state park, on the second to last day, it was an easy hike, most of it along the swiftly flowing Penobscot river, and then along park roads to  The Birches, the last shelters on the AT for northbound hikers. That night those of us at the birches has a roaring campfire, cooked pancakes over it and ate all the food we had left over apart from 1 breakfast and snacks for the next day.

The final climb up Katahdin, is the most spectacular 5 miles on the entire length of the Appalachian Trail.  It starts gradually enough, building to a vertical rock scramble, wind whipping, below the cloud line you can see out on the vastness of Maine, dozens of lakes surrounded by thick forests. Before long the scramble gives way to the Table lands, the largest alpine area in the Eastern United States this is a flattish area of bare rock and strange alpine plants.  The Table land eventually gives way to a final climb and there it is.  Slowly from the thick mist  the sign stating the summit of Baxter Peak, Mt. Katahdin, and the Northern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail becomes visible.   I spent just under an hour on the summit, wind whipping and mist condensing on my clothing, at 35F no matter how excited; you realize the very real possibility of exposure. After rejoicing with other hikers, and celebrating the final and most beautiful climb, I began my descent….

It’s been a while since i have updated this dealy, but seeing as i am able to spend a bit of time on a computer i guess i can write a bit.
I’ve been in Maine for a few weeks now, initially it was a very difficult state, the Mahoosic notch, and arm being the most notable sections. The notch, is a narrow ravine between mountains, and over the centuries large boulders have fallen from the cliff sides making a stone jungle gym for hikers. The one mile section of trail took me and the other hikers an hour and twenty minutes, of climbing, crawling, and scrambling. The notch is quite fun, the arm however, is a largely vertical climb with much of it on smooth steep rocks, the most exhausting part of the trail so far.
Since the arm, Maine has become easier, and more beautiful! In the last week, the terrain has begun to smooth out, and the fall foliage has begun to show in grand colors, through out the day the trail is draped in scarlet, yellows oranges, and various pastels of magenta pink.
As i type this, i am sitting in the lake shore house in Monson ME, this is the last town before the 100 mile wilderness, today i took a zero in order to rest my leg which is suffering from a bit of tendinitis. Tomorrow morning i will be leaving for the final bit of Maine.
This is an exciting time on the trail, but in a way somber and a bit sad, as this marks the end of an incredible journey and a very satisfying way of life. Also friends i have been hiking with for 100s or thousands of miles will be returning to their homes, many of them now ahead of me, and with sch short time remaining it seems unlikely that i will catch them again. Sadly my hiking partner The Saint has suffered an injury that has brought his hike to a halt, hopefully a few days rest will enable him to finish the remaining miles with his wife who came to finish the trail with him. Best of Luck to TNT i hope to see you on the trail again, but if not expect a call in the near future.

more updates in the coming weeks, an account of the final climb, and sometime when i get home a number of photos and stories to go with them!

Today may be one of the best days ever.  Starting out with a crisp, cold, clear, morning, great friends, and the movie Super Troopers, also my left over liver and onions for breakfast.  I’m starting out today at the foot of the first 4000 ft peak in the whites, Mt. Moosilauke, from the top, well we will be able to see everything.  luck is on our side today, as the bad weather broke in the last two days and it seems like there will be clear skies and sunshine for the coming week, perfect for a part of the trail primarily above treeline and prone to hike haulting storms.

this is a very exciting morning.

earlier in the week, we played croquet with an older man named Bill who also treated us to a few sips of fine gin and ice cream fudge bars. the who trail has been great, VT was beautiful and it seems that NH is going to be the cherry on top of the trip.  thanks to my family and girlfriend who came to visit in VT for my birthday, and what a surprise it was for the saint when weekend showed up with saints wife thimble!

that’s all for now, it’s too cold to type!frozen fingers yowzas!

With Mass just a few miles from here it’s a shame only 56 miles of trail go through CT, the land scaape has beebeautiful, the people friendly and te trail has continued what was started in NY, it’s getting a little harder almost everyday, with exception of today…. Today we enjoyed pleasant temperatures and a cool breeze, then were welcomed into a race club, with a track that paul newman used to race on. The Saint, Cap’n, and I watched a number of preliminary and qualifying races that pitted honda civics against BMWs and other fancy fast cars. after wards during some road walking a very kind woman offered to let us stay at her house with her husband and two young children.  I can’t wait to keep walking, even though the terrain is getting more difficult and my feet are blistered badly it’s just such an enjoyable experience. Sadly, Cap’n who is a secto is getting off the trail today, i will truly miss our games of  “would you rather” while hiking.  Cap’n hopefully i’ll catch up to you on your home turf someday in austin.

peace out kiddos!

It has been a really great 300 and some odd miles since i got back on the trail, made a lot of new friends, and had some incredible experiences. today I crossed the boarder from NJ into NY, it’s been a short day, there is a chance for severe weather so The Saint, formerly Timebomb made a deal with me; if i paid for lunch he would pay for a hotel room so that we can avoid the full shelter situation ahead, and be indoors for the 2 to 4 inches of rain called for this evening.  At the hotel we learned that another hiker, Highway Man had already gotten a room and was expecting us!  I think tomorrow will be a 20 miler, and hopefully we will be into VT within two weeks.

the last week has proved to be incredibly fun, with a stay at the Delaware Water gap, where a hiker hostel bottle neck brought close to thirty of us together, and then a weekend visit with a friend at Kids camp proved to be an incredibly fun time, rock climbing and a bonfire, coupled with, “eat anything in the pantry you want!”

After that, there was a visit to The “Out House” hostel, formerly know as “the Mayors House”  were Bill, Dick, and Butch, have opened their house to the hiker types and aren’t ashamed to call the lot of us, “fucking lunatics.”   In spite of their opinion of us hiker types, they welcomed 35 of us into their home, and instructed us to treat it as if we were at our own home, but informed us that, “if you try to do any dishes we will cut your hands off!”  The generosity shown by these men is totally unbelievable, not only did we all sleep, shower, and do laundry there, the three also fed us a great breakfast and dinner all for a donation if we wanted to.  these are good men.

go do something nice for them. i know i will.

So far, the north has been friendlier than the south, which was totally unexpected, the only downsides, are the lack of high mountains do not provide many great views, the HORRIBLE mosquitoes, and the rocks in the final 60 miles of PA, otherwise it’s been the most fun part of the trip.

time for more adventures. bye now.

it’s been almost a week since i left Harpers Ferry WV to complete my Appalachian trail hike, and i have to say, that this has been one of the best weeks yet!  The trail through Maryland was fantastic, well maintained and wide enough to walk side by side with a hiking companion, not to mention the ease of terain for 99% of the trail.  Maryland gets two thumbs way up!  Pensylvnia so far has been rocky but not too tough, it’s been really fun! My favorite is the abundance of pizza places in close proximity to the trail! This week i ate two strombolies!  Yesterday i hiked 17 miles, ate 1/2 gallon of peanutbutter swirl icecream in under 21 minutes, went swiming and had a great time with other hikers, including two sweet dogs named Lilo and Phil.  Right now i’m with my father for the night doing laundry, a resuply and a shower. Tomorrow i have a good hike and then meeting up with the other hikers for what i hear are $1 pints! god i hope that’s true!  PA should be no less than a great memory in less than two weeks, as i’m expectin to finish the state in just over two weeks, here i come NJ!

After about 4 weeks of recovery from the shin splints i have returned to the Appalachian Trail. I am traveling once again with Peter, formerly Timebomb, and hoping that Chinese Tourist will be able to catch up to us in the coming weeks. My return to the trail was kicked off with a drive to Harpers Ferry WV which included a stop in New Castle, DE where my support team (Brandi and Luke) and i Picked up fellow hiker Peter to bring him to the trail as well.

the four of us spent the 3rd 4th and morning of the 5th of July at a campground in Brunswick MD, our campground neighbors included an incredibly kind mix of hill billy fishermen named Jefro, Chuck and JR. their hospitality was incredible, they shared all of their food with us and offered us much more. Thanks to them for their kindness and hospitality, as well as comic relief.

In Harpers Ferry, we met up with Cool Hand Luke, and Super Glue and saw You, Cool Hand and Super Glue spend one night with us and the fishermen at the campground. The trail since Harpers Ferry has been incredibly kind, with exception to some short sections of boulder field, I can see how some people are able to do all of Maryland in one day. I on the other hand have been taking it easy in order to get back into shape without injury, so at 13 miles a day so far the trail has been incredibly easy. In total, Peter and i took 7 hours of breaks yesterday topped off by an impromptu rendezvous with my father which included a trip to the store and dinner at the a great steak house. Thanks Dad!

At the pace I am moving now, 13 miles a day, i will finish up on the 21st of September. But i plan on moving between 15 and 18 in the next week and if terrain allows up to 20 before long.

all in all it’s great to be back on the trail, it was a good hiatus, thanks to all my friends at home who were able to hang out, and those of you i missed, see you when i return.