I have returned from a shortened trip on the Long Trail. After breaking a tooth on the second day, getting bitten by a deer tick or spider or both, and hiking for three days with a fever I decided it might be time to come in from the woods.

I mean, how much fun can one expect in one week?

The woods were as I remembered except the muddy paths were muddier, elevation gains higher, steep descents steeper, the flocks of deer flies (sort of a horse fly on steroids with an attitude) were larger, and the black flies missed the memo of being gone by this time of the year.

Waking one morning to the deer tick trying to burrow it’s way in, I was unwilling to serve as a walking blood buffet. This was soon followed by a rather unique configuration of other bites we suspect were spider, it was time.

While I still enjoy the great outdoors, my walk on the Appalachian Trail may have to suffice for now and leave the Long Trail to another time.

Nevertheless I did capture some great images which I now post for your viewing pleasure. Not too many though, we all hate vacation photos.