Rocks, Rest and Ready to Roll - June 25, 2026

This is going to be a catchup post because I'm a bit confused as to what photos go with each day. First up, rocks:

Builder had a lot of rocks to tackle early on in Pennsylvania. This is what I imagine all of Pennsylvania looks like after having driven through the mountains many times. But, as he has shared, the landscape has varied. Still, this doesn't look fun to me, unless you're a billy goat of course.

More rocks - well, one rock. The inscription says this is Center Point Knob. What does that mean exactly? I have no idea. You'll have to ask Google or Siri or whoever does your bidding.

But it was good enough for a selfie. You can see Builder is getting a bit scruffier, though somehow he is managing to look younger. All that fresh air and exercise I suppose. And no nagging wife. : ) One of the things we quibble about is where to look when doing a selfie. He says I'm always looking in the wrong place. But his eyes are shifted here a bit so... just sayin'.

Following the rocks he had a period of flat land. He said he was heading toward Boiling Springs, which is funny, because we live near Boiling Springs Lake.

Okay, I lied when I said I imagined all of Pennsylvania as rocky. This reminds me very much of Amish country around Lancaster, except those houses look a mite too fancy for the plain folk who people that area.

I guess this is the trail, though I don't see any white flashes to mark the way.

Amber waves of grain?

Some ducks I believe.

NOT a hostel, I don't think, though he did stay overnight in a cool place which I may not have posted. The information I get comes via email, text and his Zoleo device. Cobbling it together into some sort of complete and accurate picture is challenging at times.

On Wednesday June 24th, one week after he began, Builder took what is called a "zero day" - a day in which one accumulates no mileage. These are necessary for most people for restocking, showering and recovery. While he was on this break he said he needs to snack more during the day for calories and to reduce pack weight. So he loaded up on stuff for lunches and snacks.

I also sent him a bunch of photos of our gardens at home so he could see what is happening. We continue to be in a mostly dry and hot spell, like many, and we are still figuring out how to keep things watered without wasting water (we are under a water conservation advisory). Here's one strangely blurry picture I took of one of his gardens. In addition to what he planted, a bird or squirrel planted a sunflower, which is at least 6 feet tall now. It gives me a strong sense of hope for our country and world, as does the diligent little hummingbird who has been getting what he can from the flowers here. Isn't it cool that we get to see creatures like that?

He got back on trail this morning, June 25th, for week 2 of this year's journey. I know you all join me in wishing him happy trails, strong legs and no blisters.