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I can’t believe five years have already passed since we first dipped our paddles into the Mississippi River on May 15, 2005. 73 days and 2,200 miles later, we finally reached the Gulf. Even after a year of planning, we really had no idea what exactly we were getting [...]]]>

First strokes on the Mississippi River

I can’t believe five years have already passed since we first dipped our paddles into the Mississippi River on May 15, 2005. 73 days and 2,200 miles later, we finally reached the Gulf. Even after a year of planning, we really had no idea what exactly we were getting into. On something like that, I just don’t think you can know until you get out there and start DOING.

Fun fact: Jess and I had never paddled in the same canoe before that trip. Never. We realized that about 200 yards downstream from the start!

I’m randomly selecting one name for every 50 entries, and the winners for the free books will be announced [...]]]> It’s come down to the last day, and with 247 votes there still isn’t a clear-cut leader in the Neuse River Book Cover Contest. Three covers are nearly tied, with one bringing up the rear. Vote Now

I’m randomly selecting one name for every 50 entries, and the winners for the free books will be announced on Wednesday. Pre-orders for both the paper version and ebook versions will be start later this week. Pre-order prices will be $9.95 for the paper version, and $6.95 for the ebook. The book will retail for $12.95 (full-color paper version) and $8.95 (ebook).

The book should be in area stores and on Amazon.com in mid-June. I’ll also be releasing a DVD on the trip later this summer. Vote Now and with your Facebook friends!

Thanks,

-John

I wrote earlier on how to send a maildrop on the Appalachian Trail to any post office via General Delivery. Now that there are enough stores near the Appalachian Trail (and Pacific Crest Trail for that matter) to get buy food along the way, I typically just [...]]]>

Picking up a Maildrop on the Appalachian Trail

I wrote earlier on how to send a maildrop on the Appalachian Trail to any post office via General Delivery. Now that there are enough stores near the Appalachian Trail (and Pacific Crest Trail for that matter) to get buy food along the way, I typically just recommend that hikers largely dispense with maildrops for the most part unless they have specific dietary needs.

That said, there are a still a few towns you may want to consider sending a small maildrop to because of limited grocery store access. You’re likely going to have the home crew send maps and mail every once in awhile anyway, so these towns are as good as any.

Here’s the Post Offices (and their zip codes) I’d probably use if I were to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail again:

Fontana Dam, NC 28733
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
Port Clinton, PA 19549
Delaware Water Gap, PA 18327
Glencliff, NH 03238
Monson, ME 04464

One strategy that works well is to send your maildrops directly to a hostel or motel instead of the post office. This way you avoid the need to rush into town to pick up a package before the Post Office closes. I always recommend that hikers send their packages Priority Mail, as they can be forwarded up the trail at no additional cost as long as the package has not been opened.

Speaking of resupply options, Baltimore Jack’s article on Resupplying on the Appalachian Trail is the best I’ve ever read. If you have any interest at all in thru-hiking, do yourself a favor and visit that link.

Take care,

-John

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsRxkut1Bds

31 miles paddled today, so [...]]]> This one’s short and sweet till I get to Goldsboro with a real cell signal. I hope you can hear that animal screaching in the background. Right now I’m in the middle of The Wild Kingdom, with beavers slapping the water, mosquitoes swarming my hammock, and random other critters running around.

31 miles paddled today, so I’m sleeping like a baby tonight.

Take care ya’ll,

-John

Download now or listen on posterous

Neuse River Day 4 podcast.m4a (4056 KB)

Sent from my iPhone

–John

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Sent from my iPhone

I’m currently playing this silly game called “Trying to Dry Stuff on the Deck of the Kayak while Paddling.” Yeah, [...]]]> I hope everyone is doing well. The Neuse had been great so far and I’m finally getting into the groove of the trip. Had a big ole’ thunderstorm yesterday, so things are pretty juicy for now.

I’m currently playing this silly game called “Trying to Dry Stuff on the Deck of the Kayak while Paddling.” Yeah, it’s a totally futile endeavor with all the splashing, showers, and 90% humidity, but what the heck, I’m an optimist.

I’m guessing that cell coverage is going to be spotty at best for the next 2 days. It may be Monday before I can get a signal, but itll be fine. I’m in Smithfield now and getting ready to head into the “Let’Lones”. No toad crossings for about 23 miles. Sounds good to me.

Take care,
-John

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Sent from my iPhone

 Thanks again for the well-wishes. It keeps my mojo up!

 Take care, -John   Download now or listen on posterous

Neuse River Day One [...]]]> Great day on the Neuse River. Paddled about 23 miles, and I’m smoked. Not much of a cell signal here, so I hope this makes it out.

 Thanks again for the well-wishes. It keeps my mojo up!

 Take care,
-John

  
Download now or listen on posterous

Neuse River Day One Podcast.m4a (5227 KB)

Sent from my iPhone

 -John   Download now or listen on posterous

Neuse River Preparations.m4a (5772 KB)

Sent [...]]]> Just a quick update on where things stand with one week to go. Be on the lookout for the Source to Sea Project Facebook page on the next day or so.

 -John

  
Download now or listen on posterous

Neuse River Preparations.m4a (5772 KB)

Sent from my iPhone