Bailey's got a new pair of shoes...lol

Bailey's new boots...

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Flip-Floppy ...

The definition if a "flip-flop" in the A.T. is one who hikes north, reaches a certain location and then drives to MTaine and hikes south to the location where they left the trail. We did this last year due to Bailey's heartworms :/ . 
We decided to "FLIP"to Maine again this year based on a few other factors ...
1. 100° + temps were taking their toll on us all.
2. The drought in VA was also unbearable.  We found ourselves hiking 10-15 miles between reliable water sources.
3. My daughter is back in Camden, ME working aboard the Schooner Appledore. (Flipping gave me a reason to surprise visit her:) )
We drove from VA to ME in a day and spent 3days with my girlie on the coast aboard the ship. Nick was able to catch up with many of his sailing friends and one was actually willing to drive us 3hours to the trailhead...many thanks, John!
With our batteries recharged we got back on trail just outside of Andover, ME.  We found cooler temperatures, ample water and big hills to climb. The change has definitely been for the best.  We settled back into the long days and low mileage of New England. These mountains are a completely different game, you don't push for miles an hour here and we are lucky to get 10 miles in a day.
Our bodies are transforming and I no longer dread the uphills, I never thought I would say that! 
On a bit of a lower note Bailey suffered an injury to one if her rear nails in the Mahoosuc Notch :(.  We gauzed and wrapped it with duct tape for two days until we reached town.  She has been on bed rest for 3days and we ordered her a set of boots to protect her from the upcoming rocks.
We are also resting up for the Whites, the toughest the trail has to offer.

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The Dojo:)

A huge thanks to Trubrit for his hospitality at the Dojo! It was a great place to wait out the heat and storms.  He is planning some big things in the Bastain area in VA. We hope to be able to help him out as the project progresses and  can't wait to check it out when it is up and running!  http://www.slideboom.com/presentations/333160/%E2%80%98FORT-BASTIAN%E2%80%99

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A real update

So, As I mentioned before, finding a computer to D/L Picasa and upload photos is nearly impossible.  Most libraries have a block (understandable) on their hard drive. I am finally able to upload some photos!  We have ventured nearly 175 miles on trail, we have hiked through fields of cattle, hiked over numerous "roller coasters" (Virginia is NOT flat!), spent some time with a few wild ponies, survived a few chilly nights in our summer bags, hiked in the the heat (100 degrees), surviving a drought, had a bear in camp, had a skunk in camp and also a few deer in camp. We have hitched in the back of numerous trucks and managed to cram ourselves into tiny cars.  We have hitched into town in a chuch bus going down gravel road, clearly not meant for it and also were able to stowaway into the back of a UPS truck :).  All the while, it has been an experience all over again.  An experience I have missed dearly. 

Southern Virginia is challenging thus far. The heat is wicked and the water is hard to find.  The "reliable" water sources are scarce and some are even dry.  We have been carrying extra water and even filling Bailey's water bladders in her pack. This downside to this is the extra weight ( 1 Liter= 2.2 lbs) Nick has been carrying roughly 4 liters and I have been carrying 3...Bailey's pack carries 1L in each bladder on either side of her.  The local churches have been leaving water at gaps to ease the burden of the stretches where there is no water, but that is not always reliable.  Hikers communicate via the shelter log books alerting others to water sources. 
 

Nick is a machine and has no aches, pains, bumps or bruises...I, on the other hand, have lost two toenails, all the flesh on both heels and a bit of flesh on my calf...and I still trek on, all part of the experience ! Baileys is doing well, with the exception of yesterday when the temperature was roughly 100. We took LOTS of breaks, but it wasn't enough, so Nick carried her pack the last 4 miles of our hike and that helped her to carry on.  Now, if I could just get him to carry mine ??? ;) 
 
 
We had some of Nick's family join us on trail for a couple of days and it was nice to share our experience with them.  Nick's sister, Andi (from FL) and nephew, Erwann (who is visiting from France)  were able to see how our days basically go....early to bed, early to rise, eat, hike, search for water, break, climb, descend, SWEAT, stink, break some more, make camp, eat, sleep....then do it all again.  :)