So, I’ve finally figured out how to find the time to write a post while traveling!
Turns out, it’s simple: come down with a cold and end up socked away in a hotel in Maryland for a few days. Simple, no?
At least the timing was good: weather has been plaguing me for the last month. Early season, record rainfalls have definitely put a damper on certain sections of the trip, notably my effort to see and photograph the fall colors of New England. The leaves were pretty, but the rain had already left the top halves of a lot of trees bare, which doesn’t make for great photography. As for weather and the timing of this cold: there’s a storm outside laying down six inches of snow… in an area that usually doesn’t get any until December or January.
The weather should improve next week as I continue south to DC, allowing me to move back to camping, which is the only way I’ll ever be able to afford this whole thing. Hotel nights get expensive, ya know.
What have I been doing in the meantime? Hiking the Rockies solo, in the heart of grizzly bear country. Traversing the back-roads. Eating at small diners in the midwest. Reconnecting with cousins I haven’t seen in decades. Watching the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain. Meeting readers like Homer-Dog, Miss McCracken, and AbsurdBeats. Hiking the streets of New York, a city of concrete canyons I always thought I would hate, and finding that I wanted to stay longer and explore.
And, yes, I’ve been writing, too. Partial posts and notes mainly, on the laptop, small notebooks, even scraps of paper. Hopefully I’ll sit down at some point and start writing it all up. Hopefully I’ll be able to do so without getting sick again.
But for now, I’m just gonna go sit in the whirlpool, watch the snow fall outside, and sniffle.
The GeekHiker 
Welcome back! Sounds like quite an amazing trip. Looking forward to hearing more once you’ve defrosted in the hot tub.
By: Solitary Diner on October 29, 2011
at 4:34 pm
Sounds like you are still having fun, despite the weather. Take care and travel safe!
By: skybluestateofmind on October 29, 2011
at 10:51 pm
Hey! You forgot to mention how AWESOME I am. Just saying. Feel better!
By: missmccracken on October 30, 2011
at 8:28 am
Wow, you have a whirlpool? That’s some kind of fancy hiking you’re doing there!! Hehe, feel better soon!
By: leafprobably on October 30, 2011
at 9:05 pm
WOW! Sounds like a great adventure so far!!! (Besides the cold, of course)
By: Vicky on October 31, 2011
at 4:23 am
Dude I’m going to be in DC next week!!! I too got laid off since your last post and I’m going on a trip with my sister and niece to look for colleges for her. I don’t know if you still have my number – but shoot me an email if you want to try to meet up!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying your adventure (despite the cold). The east coast is so wonderful – such a different world from out here. I’ll think good thoughts about the weather for you. And maybe I’ll see you soon! 🙂
By: Mel Heth on October 31, 2011
at 10:07 am
And I would like officially to endorse Mr. GH as a guest—he was terrific.
I was not in the best of moods (I rarely am), but GH was very easy to have around. I gave him a New York Not-For-Tourist Guide and a few tips on the subway system and sent him on his way. At night we’d talk about what he did that day or what he might do next or about the state of the world—he’s very easy to talk to—and then the next day, do it all over again.
He didn’t even complain when my air mattress leaked (it helped that he had his own he could use), and was quite tolerant of my cats.
So, people, if GH asks if he can crash for a few days, let him. You’ll get a beer and some good conversation—more than adequate payment for some space on your couch or floor.
By: absurdbeats on November 6, 2011
at 1:13 pm
New York is one my favorite places in the world…so are whirlpools.
By: 25swf on November 12, 2011
at 7:29 am