Hi! I am Chuck, also known as Orange Man. Welcome to The Retired Hiker, a blog about my life in retirement focusing on hiking, long-distance backpacking, and the adventures of Dana (a.k.a. Pitcrew) and Chuck in our Travel Trailer.
I retired after my wife died in 2021 and jumped into hiking and long-distance backpacking as a way deal with what I call “Life Part II”. I have thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail and have a multi-year plan for the Pacific Crest Trail, the Colorado Trail, and numerous other long-distance trails.
As a reward to myself for completing the Appalachian Trail, we purchased a Travel Trailer in late 2024. I base out of the trailer on short multi-day hiking trips. Dana and I take the trailer on long weekends and week-long regional trips. Our plan is to tour the country in the trailer once Dana retires in a few more years.
Until a that time, I plan to do as many long-distance hikes as I can manage while not completely abandoning Dana for the trail! Hence our blog’s tagline “Side Trials of Retirement Bliss”.
Recent Trail Journals
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Today’s Miles: 0 Trip Miles: 436.8 We had two nice, quiet days in downtown Johnson City. Lots of bars and restaurants within easy walking distance. Dana brought me a bunch of gear from home: I’ll be sending several items home: Went to Walmart and bought permethrin so I can treat all my clothes for ticks and other critters. Sorted through all the resupply and picked for the next 4 days of hiking. Did a major replanning of my hike from here through central PA. Need to do big miles and cut down the number of days. See below. Still need…
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Today’s Miles: 0 Trip Miles: 436.8 “We met at a truck stop in Johnson City, Tennessee. I was gassing up my Firebird when I heard her calling me. Said, “Which way are you headed, boy? Do you need some company?” “ – Travis Tritt Up at 8:30. I reached out to the condo owner in Johnson City, and they are good with early check-in! I picked up my supply box at the office, and they can shuttle me to Johnson City at 1:30. I can just hang out after checkout until it is time for the shuttle to leave. This…
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Today’s Miles: 14.8 Trip Miles: 436.8 “I’ve been drivin’ all night, my hands wet on the wheel. There’s a voice in my head that drives my heel. It’s my baby callin’, says, “I need you here.” And it’s a-half-past four and I’m shifting gear. When she is lonely and the longing gets too much, She sends a cable coming in from above. Don’t need no phone at all. We’ve got a thing and that’s a-called radar love. We’ve got a wave in the air. Radar love” – Golden Earring Up at 7:00, out at 8:00. Perfect weather today. Just making…
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Today’s Miles: 0 Trip Miles: 403.6 “Inflatable pool full of dad’s hot air I was three years old splashin’ everywhere And so began my love affair with water On a river bank with all my friends A big old rope tied to a limb And you’re a big old wuss If you don’t jump in the water” – Brad Paisley Up at 6:30. Overkill and I were out at 7:30. Got a long 18.4-miler today. Weather looks great. Sunny, low humidity, breezy, low 70s. That is what we came down in the thunderstorm on Sunday. Nice view back at it…
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Today’s Miles: 18.4 Trip Miles: 422 Hostess: “Day off?” John Wayne: “ Off Day” – McLintock Woke up at 4:00 a.m. to pouring rain and thunder. Back to sleep. Woke up at 7:00 to steady rain. Forgot to mention that I’m in a loft room right under a tin roof with little to no insulation. Very perplexed on what to do today. Many others are also unsure. That was a LOT of rain yesterday, last night, and right now. The forecast shows big thunderstorms headed our way until 1:00 today and then it gets decent in the early afternoon. But…the…