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Appalachian Trail Journal

I will start my journey on April 12th at Springer Mtn. Georgia.

Unofficial first entry- 4/11/08- Around 5:00 PM Karen and Dick arrived in Atlanta, Georgia. In just over 12 hours the "journey" will begin! Check back on this page for "Mountain Lion's" "official" blog entries. 

4/12/08- First official entry- Started at Springer Mtn and ended the day in Gooch Gap, GA. Miles: 16.3, Total elevation gained: 4000+ feet. Highlights: Meeting another hiker with the same back pack (minus the Lions patch). Oh yes, the hiker was hiking in a kilt! Check "AT Photos" in a few days for the picture.

4/13/08- 15.6 miles, ~5,000 feet of elevation gained, end point- Neel's Gap, GA. Highlights: met 2 hikers with unusual trail names- Rupneck and Crest.

4/14/08- 20 miles, 5,912 feet of elevation gained, end point- Unicoi Gap, GA. Highlights: saw a bear (Karen, too) on the way to today's start. He/she was coming from a trailer park (better their trash barrels than the hikers packs/tents!) Met another hiker- trail name Jeff, real name Joe. He attempted the hike a few years ago and a hiker in the group thought his name was Jeff and called out to him- he knew there was no Jeff in the group so he responded to the hiker. The name stuck but he got sick and he is attempting the trail again this year using Jeff as a trail name.

4/15/08- 16.1 miles, 5,945 feet of elevation gained, end point- Dick's Creek Gap, GA. Highlights: met some more hikers- Magnet, Bearrmeister, Wasabe, Frog, Wookie and JJ. No details on the stories behind the names.

4/16/08- 15.6 miles, 5,941 feet of elevation gained, end point- Deep Gap, NC (that is state #2!!! for those who are sponsoring by number of states). Highlights: met hikers Needles, Chris, Stranger and Chay.

4/17/08- HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! Today is an off day. Tomorrow brings the first day of hiking with the pack!!! Also, Karen will be flying back to Middleton.

4/18/08- 8.5 miles, 2,697 feet of elevation gained, end point- Carter Gap Shelter, NC. Highlights: met lots of hikers including Crutch and Becca. A day of firsts- first day with the pack (which is a little on the heavy side- but that will be worked on), first dehydrated meal and the first night in the tent. It was an exhausting day (started at 5:00 AM with breakfast).

4/19/08- 6.8 miles, total elevation gained 2739 feet, end point: Big Spring Shelter, NC. Highlights: Met hiker named Panther. Rougher and steeper terrain today.

4/20/08- 5.4 miles, total elevation gained 942 feet, end point: Rock Gap, NC. Highlights: very eventful day! Met 2 couples and their dogs (Shadow would be jealous) Walt and Joanne had 4 dogs snd Jack and Carole had their 2 golden retrievers, Ty and Jessie. Also met some hikers who mentioned a very nice motel owner, Ron Haven, from the town of Franklin who picks up hikers at 3 locations and brings them to town, whether they are staying at his motel (Haven Motel) or not. He also gives rides to the outfitter in town which will be utilized today. Items to be purchased at the outfitter to help lighten the pack- light weight rain gear and a small "filter pen" for water. Being shipped today is some dehydrated food to a stop a few weeks away, the heavy rain gear and the heavier filter back to Middleton. This should reduce the pack weight by several pounds. This afternoon was time for a shower and laundry.

4/21/08- Happy Patriot's Day and Marathon Monday! 8.4 miles, 2,952 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Siler Bald Shelter, NC. Highlights: Ron Haven provided a ride to the post office to ship off 9 lbs of stuff from the pack (unfortunately not the filter- Karen is out shopping for the filter "pen" today). The first stop back on the trail was ~4 miles north of today's start back at Rock Gap- the pack was left there with the people who hand out snacks and drinks to the hikers. Then it was to Rock Gap to walk the first half of today's mileage pack-free!!! Met up with Crest again, Sprint Wind and Creepy Uncle with his little dog.

4/22/08- 12.1 miles, 4,374 feet of elevation gained, end point: Cold Spring Shelter, NC. Highlights: Just before the final climb to the shelter Epp had some nice cold orange soda. Hung out with Donnie and Mike at their camp after todays hike.

4/23/08- 11.5 miles, 2,838 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) in Wesser, NC. Highlights: nothing today.

4/24/08- 6.9 miles, 3,799 feet of elevation gained, end point: Sassafrass Gap Shelter, NC. Highlights: Met some familiar faces- Crest, Slow Start and Taper Off. There is a possible story developing staring with a marriage proposal- Crutch said to Cruise Control (Becca) "If we make it to Katahdin we should get married."

4/25/08- 9.1 miles, 3,458 feet of elevation gained, end point: Brown Fork Gap Shelter, NC. Highlights: none today

4/26/08- 6.1 miles, 1,795 feet of elevation gained, end point: Cable Gap Shelter, NC. Highlights: Met weekend hikers- Matt, a homebrewer and beekeeper along with his father and a friend of his father. They are from Erwin, TN. He wants another homebrewer's opinion of his IPA so there will be a stop made in Erwin to try some homebrew.

4/27/08- 5.5 miles, 1,962 feet of elevation gained, end point: Fontana Dam, NC. Highlights: Staying in town tonight due to heavy rain. Fontana Dam post office will have a few packages waiting for pick up tomorrow morning (one has the filter pen sent from Middleton and the other is the food that was mailed to lighten the pack) Check back later today for pictures (if the computer is able to upload the files).

4/28/08- 7 miles, 3,694 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Birch Spring Gap, NC. Highlights: Met a journalist doing an article "Hiking in the Smokies" for a magazine and was interviewed and had pictures taken along with a few other hikers. More details to follow.

4/29/08- 11 miles, 4,127 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Spence Field Shelter, NC. Highlights: heavy rains last night but everything was nice and dry in the tent. Good thing the cold temperature this morning- 18 degrees for a low overnight  and 28 degrees at 9 AM- was not here before the rain!!! Dave was the journalist writing for Smokies Life magazine. Matt called and confirmed his offer for a place to stay and an IPA sampling in Erwin, TN.

Addendum- Met by Ridgerunners (volunteers who maintain the AT through the Great Smokey Mountain National Park) Bill and Sharon. The first question they asked ws "Do you have your permit?". There are very strict rules for hiking in the national forest. You must have a permit to hike. All hiker's except thru hiker's have to reserve a spot in the shelters. There is no tenting unless you are a thru hiker AND there is no room in the shelter.

4/30/08- 12 miles, 5,262 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Silers Bald Shelter. Highlights: 10 people were in the shelter but a few moved on so it wasn't overfilled. There were 4 girls- 3 from Canada and 1 from Australia, who are hiking the Smokies for a week, and a few others- no info on the trail names. Should be at Clingmans Dome tomorrow morning- the highest point on the AT- 6,643 feet!!! Hopefully there will be some amazing pictures from there.

5/1/08- 8.5 miles, 4,669 feet of total elvation gained, end point: Mt. Collins Shelter. Highlights: Tough hiking today but made it to Clingman's Dome- the highest point on theAT at 6,643 feet!!! Met up with the girls from Australia and Canada and they offered some much appreciated snacks! There were a lot of people in the shelter for the night.

5/2/08- 5 miles (hit the 200 mile mark today), 1,335 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Gatlinburg, TN. Highlights: Lots of people settling in Gatlinburg to avoid the bad weather- thunder storms and heavy rain. Had dinner with Dehwahtle and joined some others for drinks- a local microbrewed pale ale.

5/3/08- "Zero Day" (a "no hiking" day)- Highlights: Stayed in Gatlinburg and went to the outfitter in town where the owner took a picture to put on the wall with the other pictures of thru hiker's who stopped there.

5/4/08- 10.8 miles, 3,533 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Peck's Corner Shelter, NC. Highlights: Good day of hiking after a late start (11 AM because that was the time of the ride to the trail from Gatlinburg,TN) Lots of people at the shelter including Dave the journalist for Smokies Life magazine.

5/5/08- Happy Cinco De Mayo! 13.3 miles, 3,668 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Crosby Knob Shelter, NC. Highlights: none today

5/6/08- 10.4 miles, 2,236 feet of total elevation gained (this was predominantly a downhill day- over 5,000 feet of decline) end point: Green Corner Rd.  at Standing Bear Farm. Highlights: There were lots of people (over 20) at the hostel including Fat Jim, Landfill, Happy Camper and Zeek the Carpenter. Slept in the same bed that was used 2 days prior by a blind thru hiker, trail name 00. Hoping to catch up with and talk to him. The hostel was on the honor system at it's store. You write down what you take during your stay and pay when you leave.

5/7/08- 15.4 miles, 6,667 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Roaring Fork Shelter. Highlights: Long day of hiking, about 12 hrs!!! Ran out of water and couldn't find the next water stop. Caught up to Dan, Tim, and Chef. And now here is the "bear" story to go along with the bear picture on the AT photos page: "We got to the shelter late and there was a sign that read "The bear WILL come" and it did, while it was still daylight. We chased it off and hung the food bags. Later we returned and found the bear scoping things out and our  food was resecured. Later, once it was dark, we heard branches breaking and we went out to see the bear with our food pulled down low! Dan went up the trree to hang it about 10 feet higher while I chased the bear down the road. As I was moving the bear along I saw lights ahead and realized there were 2 girls hanging their food where I was sending the bear. I stopped chasing him and headed up to the shelter. Later on the bear reurned to the shelter and clawed Tim's water bag, we could hear the water pouring out. After this we set up our own little alarm system using ropes on poles so that we had warning when our new "friend" returned to join us. In the morning we heard that all of the others had lost their food to the bear. I shared some of my food with them."

5/8/08- 18 miles, 4,364 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Hot Springs, NC. Highlights: Another long day of hiking. Arrived in Hot Springs and Dan offered his couch in his hotel room. Met 2 women at the bar and one was there celebrating her 40th birthday. They had many questions about hiking the AT and at the end of dinner they covered dinner and drinks which was greatly appreciated!

5/9/08 "Zero Day" as the District 33 (Massachusetts) Lions Convention kicks off back home! Rainy day in Hot Springs so time to do laundry, pick up mail, and try once again to get online to check e-mail and upload pictures. Dan was trying to set up his tracphone. The rain finally stopped by mid-day but the next shelter was too far to start out to.

5/10/08- 17miles, 5,594 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Log Cabin Dr., NC. Highlights: Hiked and stayed in the hostel with Dan.

5/11/08- Happy Mother's Day. 16 miles (hit 300 miles today), 5,337 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Flint Mountain Shelter. Highlights: Rainy day and the rain gear didn't handle the rain. The shelter was full so it was a night in the tent which was the better option.

5/12/08- 11.2 miles, 4,862 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Sam's Gap, NC. Highlights: Stayed at Matt's house and tried some good homebrewed IPA. Got to dry out things from yesterday.

5/13/08- 7.7 miles, 3,481 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Bald Mountain Shelter, NC. Highlights: Late start (12:30) after staying at Matt's last night. Met a bunch of hikers including Medium Rare.

5/14/08- 16.9 miles, 3,550 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Erwin, TN. Highlights: Stayed at Uncle Johnnies. Saw lots of hikers- day hikers, sectin hikers, senior day hikers, and a few thru hikers.

5/15/08- 19.1 miles, 4,601 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Iron Mountain Gap, TN. Highlights: "Slack packed" today. Uncle Johnnies rented day packs and provided shuttle service to and from Iron Mountain Gap.

5/16/08- 11 miles, 5,154 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Ash Gap. Highlights: Rainy day. Tried to get up to Roan Mountain to catch up with Dan. It was late and a tent was pitched (in the rain) and had snacks for dinner (no cooking in the tent!)

5/17/08- 16.2 miles, 5,971 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Applehouse Shelter. Highlights: It was 36 degrees this morning and thanks to an early Father's Day present (a light weight, very warm shirt) it wasn't too bad. Ate the rest of the snacks for breakfast. A lot of hikers out today- mostly day hikers and a lot of boy scouts. Met 4 people and talked to them for a while and gave them a card and in return was a nice, fresh apple. Reached the shelter by 8PM and Dan and Animal were there.

5/18/08- 9.2 miles, 2,792 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Mountaineering Shelter. Highlights: Met a father and daughter travelling southbound. Last year the daughter, Jessie, hiked 1,500 miles before breaking her leg and she is back to finish the hike. They received a card to give to Zero Zero who is now a day or 2 behind.

5/19/08- 15.6 miles, 4,771 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Dennis Cove Road. Highlights: Met a single and 2 southbounders today. The single got sick on the hike last year and is finishing the hike this year.

5/20/08- 11 miles, 3,658 feet of total elevation gained, ennd point: Watauga Lake Shelter. Highlights: none today

5/21/08- 13.6 miles, 5,722 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Iron Mountain Shelter. Highlights: Staying in the tent tonight (which is preferrable). Mets lots of southbound section hikers. Met 1 thru hiker.

5/22/08- 25.9 miles, 5,361 feet of total elevation gained, end point: after more than 13 hours of hiking- Damascus, VA (that is state #4 Bob and Glenn!!!) Highlights: met lots of section and day hikers all heading into Damascus.

5/23/08- "Zero Day" Spent the day in Damascus. Got a properly fitted backpack (smaller size) which should feel a little more comfortable. And everything fits into it perfectly!

5/24/08- 16 miles, 4,409 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Creek Junction Station. Highlights: After spending close to 4 hours in Mount Roger Outfitters in Damascus, VA with incredible staff that correclty fit the bacpack (which was 2 sizes smaller than the original one) this was the first day of hiking with the backpack that there was NO back pain!!! The old backpack was mailed to Middleton after the Lions patch was removed and sewn onto the new backpack. Well the problems continued- not making the next shelter it was decided to camp out at Creek Junction Station. While putting up the tent it broke. To add insult to injury it broke in the same spot that the originally purchased tent broke. So this is the second tent to break in the same spot- don't think that brand will be purchased again! Fortunately it was a dry night and the plan is to back track to Damascus for a replacement tent.

5/25/08- 2.3 miles, 1,099 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Lost Mountain Shelter, VA. Highlights: The trek back to Damascus was only 10 miles on the Virginia Creeper Trail. A new one man tent was purchased- a Hubba (the 2 man tent is called the Hubba Hubba). A worker from the outfitter saved the hike back to todays start point and drove up to Creek Junction Station! (so today's true total hiked is 12.3, 2.3 is the total progress made on the AT) A much appreciated ride!

5/26/08- Happy Memorial Day! 12.2 miles, 4,692 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Thomas Knob, VA. Highlights: none

5/27/08- 20.2 miles, 5,538 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Dickey Gap Shelter, VA. Highlights: none

5/28/08- 14.5 miles, 3,513 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Partnership Shelter. Highlights: had a pepperoni and mushroom pizza delivered and ate the whole thing! It was delicious! Seeing lots of wild ponie and the road apples they are leaving behind in the trail.

5/29/08- 11.6  miles, 3,061 feet of total elevation gained, end point: 683 near Atkins, VA. Highlights: Picked up mail

5/30/08- 14.3 miles, 4,541 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Lynn Camp Creek. Highlights: none

5/31/08- 8.7 miles, 3,862 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Chestnut Knob Shelter. Highlights: Dan saw a rattlesnake but when we returned with cameras it was gone. While Middleton experienced a strong thunderstorm it was a short day on the trail because severe storms are expected before the next shelter can be reached (10 miles away). This is a good shelter- 4 walls and a door!

6/1/08- 14.8 miles, 4,544 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Bland VA. Highlights: The skies opened up and poured once again but fortunately there was a shelter nearby. Saw lots of single deer. Called home in the afternoon and got to talk to brother Tom and others in the family!

6/2/08- 14.2 miles, 3,378 feet of total elevation gained, end point: 5 miles past Helvey's Mill Shelter. Highlights: Late start today but had an amazing breakfast at the Round Mountain United Methodist Church. It is a small church over 100 years old (about the size of Saint Elizabeth's before the addition). The people were VERY nice and they also kept the food and orange juice coming! After breakfast there was a shuttle to today's start (they also shuttled from the hotel to the church). Thank you to all at the church!!! Saw some more wild ponies and their road apples. Pictures will be up in the next several days.

6/3/08- 20 miles  4741 feet of total elevation gained, end point 1 mile past Wapiti shelter. Dan left the trail at VA Rte 606 as the rain started. It rained the rest of the day. I was very very very wet. I set up the tent in the rain.

6/4/08- 15.4 miles  3284 feet of total elevation gained, end point Pearisburg, Inn At Riverbend (see photos on INN AT RIVERBEND page) Every thing is dry now!!!

6/5/08- 21.7 miles, 3,682 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Stony Creek, VA. Highlights: slack packed today because of a very generous offer of a ride from the today's end point back to the Inn at Riverbend. THANK YOU to Lynn and Linda Hayes for their fabulous accomodations and offers for rides. They own the Inn at Riverbend (www.innatriverbend.com check it out!) Stayed in the room called Griffin. Attended a Rotary meeting. Eric, the inn keeper, is a homebrewer. He brought 3 of his homebrews to try (some good beer for a change- no more Heineken or Coors today) He had a Naked Sunday Brown Ale (porter like, made with leftover grains from other brews), Van Urban Porter, and Pete Smoked Porter. They were all very good. Watched the Celts beat LA in game 1 of the finals but missed all the Red Sox brawls!!!

6/6/08- 10.3 miles, 3,356 feet of total elevation gained, end point: War Spur shelter. Highlights: hot and humid today. A few days ago Lynn and Linda Hayes went to a Chamber of Commerce meeting received the prestigous award of "People of the Year" Congratulations!!!

6/7/08-13.2 miles, 4,701 feet of total elevation gained, end point: 1 mile beyond Sarver Hollow Shelter. Highlights: The heat (in the 90's) and humidity continues (and worse today) just as Massachusetts gets some of it too. Heat advisory today so slow hiking. Quite a few hikers out even with the heat advisory- although one hiker decided to hike in a loin cloth to stay cool!. Met hiker PopTart. Busy week of Lions meetings ahead! The plan is to go to the meeting in Catawba on Monday, Daleville on Tuesday morning, and Buchanan on Thursday.

6/8/08- 15.7 miles, 4,354 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Pickle Branch Shelter, VA Highlights: lots of deer. will have a picture of the hiker in the loin cloth up soon (computer access permitting)

6/9/08- 12.6 miles, 3,763 feet of total elevation gained, end point: rte 311 Catawba, VA Highlights: hard hiking- lots of rocks- had to put the poles away for a while today. Still hot and humid- 100 degrees (N. Reading/Middleton were 101 today)! Staying in a hotel tonight and tomorrow so tomorrow will be a "slack pack" day. There were some great packages from back home upon arrival at the hotel- a package full of yummy candies from Putnam Pantry (to put some weight back on!) and 2 bottles of home brewed beer (those are chilling in the fridge now waiting to be opened while watching the Celtics game tomorrow!!!) Thank you to the "trail angels" from Massachusetts!!! Went to the Troutville Lions Club meeting tonight. Got to speak for a while and answer questions from the members. The other guest speaker was a young (26 yr old) man that is running for Congress. There is not a meeting in Daleville tomorrow so it is back to the trail (supposed to be cooling off a little) and into Buchanan (hopefully) for a meeting Thursday.

6/10/08- 19.8 miles, 2,682 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Daleville, VA. Highlights: Slack packed today. Watched the Celts (good game- unfortunate outcome) while enjoying some nice cold "dark" beers (porter, stout, etc.).

6/11/08- 16.1 miles, 5,020 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Harveys Knob Overlook, VA.  Highlights: 1/3 of the way done!!! The usual deer. Not a lot of hikers today. Weather was much better- still quite warm (not in the 90's- 100) and not humid. Short day tomorrow due to a stop in Buchanan to meet with the Lions club.

6/12/08- 5.8 miles, 1,198 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Buchanan, VA. Highlights: Went to the Buchanan Lions Club meeting. A small but very active club (like the Middleton Lions Club) with a blind member. Staying at the presidents' house tonight. Thank you to President Lloyd "Ed" Tolley and his wife Nancy.

Addendum: There was some better than usual "trail magic" (coolers left and refilled by 'trail angels' along the route). 1 cooler had the usual soda and the other had apples, bananas and Snickers bars!!!

6/13/08- Happy Friday the 13th! 20.4 miles, 4,628 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Thunder Hill Shelter. Highlights: the usual deer.

6/14/08- Happy Flag Day! 18.3 miles, 3,136 feet of total elevation gained, end point: few miles past Johns Hollow Shelter. Highlights: Very wet today- was soaked by the end. Saw the usual deer and a beaver which was different.

6/15/08- HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!! 18.1 miles, 5,433 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Buena Vista, VA. Highlights: "hiked my @#$ off" (tough hiking) to get to Buena Vista to stay in a hotel to watch the Celts game, dry out and have a meeting place for Travis if he is able to stop by on his way home from Bonnaroo.

6/16/08- "zero day" Stayed in Buena Vista in hopes to see Travis on his way home from Bonnaroo (in Tennessee). He fianally made it to the hotel late evening and hung around for a few hours having some beers while one of his friends who was driving got a few Z's. "I didn't even recognize him as he stood in the parking lot waiting for us. We drove right past him at first. He looks so different."-Travis

6/17/08- CONGRATS TO THE WORLD CHAMPION BOSTON CELTICS!!! 16.8 miles, 6,667 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Spy Rock, VA Highlights: Lots of elevation today but nice easy climbs. Great day of hiking. Met up with Wasabi (the one with the loin cloth) and his sister who is wearing the same. It actually zips down the side so it looks like a skirt. The two will be selliing them- anyone interested? ;-)  Saw the usual deer, flowers and butterflies. Climbed Spy Rock and got some really nice sunset pictures. Unfortunately missed watching the Celts win.

6/18/08- 17.7 miles, 4,820 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Maupin Field Shelter. Highlights: more deer and some colored butterflies (the others have been black and white) pictures of them to be posted this weekend. Met a day hiker from New England who reported the news of the Celts win, 131-92 was the information he failed to mention!

6/19/08- 20.8 miles, 4,092 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Waynesboro, VA. Highlights: the usual creatures plus some squirrels and a rabbit (wouldn't Shadow be jealous!) Called in to the final meeting of the year for the Middleton Lions and spoke to some members. Even the guide dogs that the speakers brought from Guiding Eyes for the Blind tried to say hello.

6/20/08- 11.4 miles, 3,645 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Turk Gap, VA Highlights: picked up mail this morning- there was some very good roasted pecans and candied cashews. Sleeping in the tent tonight even in the thunderstorms.

6/21/08- 16 miles, 4,429 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Loft Mountain Campground, VA. Highlights: Saw more deer, a black snake and a turkey with her baby. Hopefully the pictures will come out. It is rainy now. The camp ground has "bear boxes" so no dealing with bear cables tonight!

6/2/08- 5.8 miles, 1,375 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Pinefield Hut, VA. Highlights: late start with morning thunderstorms

6/23/08- 11.6 miles, 4,708 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Swift Run Gap, Elkton, VA. Highlights: Saw a bear at the campground this morning. Staying at Lewis Mtn Campground tonight and slack packing back to Swift Run Gap where an Elkton Lions Club member will provide a ride to their meeting and back to the campground afterwards. Campgrounds in the national parks offer 50% off to those who have a "senior card" (AARP)

6/24/08- 8.3 miles, 1,394 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Lewis Mountain Campground. Highlights: Attended the Elkton Lions Club meeting tonight with the rides from the club president.

6/25/08- 27.5 miles, 4,573 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Pass Mountain Hut, VA. Highlights: Slack packed today. the usual, still trying to see some more bears. Was told that during the day the bears are in the trees. Tried to look up into the trees while hiking but started tripping a lot so it was back to looking down while hiking.

6/26/08- 23.6 miles, 3,682 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Tom Floyd Wayside, VA. Highlights: staying in Front Royal (will slack pack to Pass Mountain Hut in the morning then continue on) Tried to get some pics online but failed. Will try again at the next town. 

6/27/08- 13.6 miles, 3,215 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Manassas Gap Shelter. Highlights: saw the usual wildlife and a bear. Met some thru hikers (some of them are familiar faces) Hot Sauce, Medium Rare, Pipeline, and Dirty Feet.

6/28/08- 12.8 miles, 2,966 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Rod Hollow Shelter. Highlights: none.

6/29/08- 17.8 miles, 4,124 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Blackburn Trail Center, VA. Highlights: Saw the usual wildlife. Saw a turkey trying to fly out of a tree. The "rollercoaster" (very up and down part of the trail) was not as bad as expected. Staying in Harpers Ferry, WV tonight and slack packing to Blackburn tomorrow. Went to a pub in Harpers Ferry and watched the end of the NASCAR race (they called the race before it was over- bad storms in Loudon)

6/30/08- 12.6 miles, 1,968 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Harper's Ferry, WV (state #5 Bob and Glenn!) Highlights: slack packed today. Check for new pictures to be posted this weekend. Attending a Lions meeting in Brunswick, MD tomorrow night!

7/1/08- 3 miles, 78 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Brunswick, MD (sorry Bob and Glenn- it was a quick trip to #6!!!) Highlights: atended the Brunswick, MD Lions meeting

7/2/08- 14.3 miles, 3,189 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Dahlgren Back Pack Campground, MD. Highlights: rocky trail today, no storms (MA got them all today), lots of hikers- southbounders, day hikers and section hikers.

7/3/08- 19.1 miles, 4,616 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Devils Racecourse Shelter, MD. Highlights: Lots of deer.

7/4/08- HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!! 12.3 miles, 2,169 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Antietam Shelter, PA (Sorry- no phone call to Bob and Glenn today to announce arrival in state #7!) Highlights: slow start due to rain and it rained throughout the day.

7/5/08- 13.4 miles, 2,900 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Quarry Gap Shelter, PA. Highlights: rainy day, sometimes heavy. Decided to stop for the day at Quarry Gap Shelter and then it decides to clear out a bit. Many have been asking and there has been no word from Dan- he has either gone off the trail or is behind. Tomorrow should bring the midpoint (weather depending). The intended endpoint is Pine Grove Campground and there will be the opportunity to join the "half gallon club"- eating a half gallon of ice cream to mark the halfway point. The record stands at 4 min. 14 sec. Report will be posted once the brain freeze wears off! :-)

7/6/08- OFFICIALLY HALFWAY!!! 17.3 miles, 2,688 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Pine Grove Furnace State Park Campground. Highlights: Just shy of the end point it started to pour buckets and had to stop until it passed. Got into Pine Grove Campground to find out that a local media person had just left- they were looking to do a story on the "half gallon challenge". There had not been any hikers in to do the challenge until I arrived. The woman in the store called the person that had been there and gave him my name. Completed the challenge and now a member of the "half gallon club". There was limited choices for ice cream but I enjoyed a nice cherry jubilee which was finished in 57 minutes. Not much for wildlife today- just a few rabbits. The shelters were nicer than most that have been encountered on the trail.

7/7/08- 10.6 miles, 1,906 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Mt. Holly Springs, PA. Highlights: none

7/8/08- 16.8 miles, 2,992 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Carlisle, PA. Highlights: Hot, humid day of hiking through cornfields. There was a heavy downpour that slowed things up for the day.

7/9/08- zero day

7/10/08- 17.9 miles, 3,248 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Duncannon, PA. Highlights: staying in a hotel that can be best compared to the hotel in the movie "Big"- the one Tom Hanks' character stayed in the first night he was in NYC. It is full- hikers are being turned away. Getting the next mail drop tomorrow morning.

7/11/08- 24.2 miles, 3,288 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Yellow Springs Village Site, PA. Highlights: Lots of rabbits. Starting long days to make a Lions meeting next week.

7/12/08- 27.6 grueling miles, 3,478 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Hertlein Campsite, PA. Highlights: long day

7/13/08- 21.5 miles, 3,894 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Pocahontas Spring, PA. Highlights: lots of deer. Should be able to get to Slatington, PA for a Lions meeting on Tuesday.

***Pictures have been added to "Pictures with Lions..", "AT Animals", "AT Landmarks and History", and a new page is creates "AT Photos PA"***

7/14/08- 25.2 miles, 3,826 feet of total elevation gained, end point: New Tripoli Campsite. Highlights: none

7/15/08- 11.5 miles, 1,268 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Slatington, PA. Highlights: went to the Slatington Lions Club meeting tonight- spoke to about 160 Lions members!!!

7/16/08- 16.3 miles, 3,225 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Leroy A Smith Shelter, PA. Highlights: lots of little animals and birds. Some really rocky climbs.

7/17/08- 20.4 miles, 2,185 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Delaware Water Gap, PA. Highlights: Staying in the church hostel. Did some extra miles today to get to the The Presbyterian Church of the Mountain for their weekly Thursday night dinner. It was VERY good and everyone left there stuffed. Saw deer and small critters.

7/18/08- 15.9 miles, 3,448 feet of total elevation gained, end point: 2 miles past Millbrook-Blairstown Rd., NJ Highlights: Hot day of hiking. Stopped at a trail center for about an hour to cool down, rehydrate, have lunch and get some water for the rest of the day. Around 7:30 AM called Glenn and Bob at work to announce entering state #8 but they weren't there yet- after finishing breakfast the phone rang and it was Bob and Glenn. Lots of critters and some delicious blueberries and blackberries. Definately a different view of New Jersey than what I am used to (Union/Elizabeth area)

7/19/08- 17.1 miles, 3,287 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Gren Anderson Shelter, NJ. Highlights: At 1:00 AM a bear visited the tent but quickly disappeared once the light was turned on. Hot and humid hiking today. Lots of side hiking to get water and got lost once.

7/20/08- 18.9 miles, 3,717 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Jim Murray's property, near Unionville, NY. Highlights:the usual critters. Found some really good blueberries. Enjoyed hiking through High Point State Park.

7/21/08- 13.2 miles, 3,048 feet of total elevation gained, end point: St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Vernon, NJ. Highlights- none.

7/22/08- 15 miles, 3,907 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Greenwood Lake, NY (state #9 Bob and Glenn!) Highlights: Saw 2 small bears (~200 lbs) and some of the usual critters. The bears were seen in NY- NJ is known for it's bears on the AT but the only one seen (well almost) was the one who visited early in the morning.

7/23/08- 12 miles, 3,740 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Southfields, NY. Highlights: rough hiking today- lots of tough, dangerous, rocky terrain. The rocks were wet from all the rain which made for some careful climbing. Stopped early in town due to thunderstorm forecast- no sooner than getting to the motel it POURED!!! No tornadoes/waterspouts here but some incredible thunder and lightning!!! Tomorrow may be a 'zero day' because of the thunderstorms they are forecasting all day.

7/24/08- "zero day"

7/25/08- 13.8 miles, 4,357 feet of total elevation gained, end point: 1 mile past West Mountain Shelter, NY. Highlights: staying at a motel on a mountain overlooking the Hudson River. There is a hill that stands in the way of a view of the NYC skyline. Saw some deer.

7/26/08- 16.6 miles, 4,964 feet of total elevation gained, end point: South Highland Rd., NY. Highlights: Saw 2 deer that took off but found one that was a lot more photogenic- coming towards the camera for a picture! Saw 2 rattlesnakes but couldn't take a picture... the flash would have reflected off the glass too much... the AT goes right through the Bear Mountain Museum and Zoo!!! In the zoo is the lowest point of the AT, 124 feet above sea level and also part of the original AT from 1923. Stopped at the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center to get more water and take a shower (cold water only). Was going to stay at the monastery's shelter but because of the early time and good weather continued on for another 5.5 miles. At the campsite- trying to avoid mosquitos while cleaning up the liquid soap that burst in the backpack- only spilled on the first aid kit.

7/27/08- 13.4 miles, 3,625 feet of total elevation gained, end point: RPH Shelter, NY. Highlights: The usual critters, lots of blueberries and only a few hikers. Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain shortened the day and left things SOAKED.

7/28/08- 17.3 miles, 3,879 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Pawling, NY. Highlights: The usual. Got mail- finally! (blew by the drop in the beginning of NY so Karen had to call the post office  and have them forward it to Pawling.) Staying in a motel tonight- did laundry and dried out. The hotel doesn't use dryers, so the clothes were hung out on clothes lines to dry.

7/29/08- 12.2 miles, 2,977 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Ten Mile River Lean To, CT (state #10 Glenn and Bob!) Highlights: Tried to call Glenn and Bob for the usual "Hello, I am in the next state" call but Glenn is away and Bob was not around to answer the phone. Called and talked Jim who was in a meeting at the time. The usual critters but NO blueberries today.

7/30/08- 12.7 miles, 4,659 feet of total elevation gained, end point: St. Johns Ledges, CT Highlights: 2/3 of the way done!!! The blueberries returned! Went into Kent for a few hours to try to upload pictures and had a BIG lunch. Went back to the trail to find some really good "trail magic". Too stuffed to eat any. The woman who supplied it is a MA woman whose son is out on the trail. There was beer, juice, water, fruit and trail mix.

7/31/08- 15.2 miles, 4,449 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Sharon Mtn. Campsite, CT. Highlights: Met some northbounders heading south while slack packing. The usual critters. Only a few blueberries today.

8/1/08- 13.3 miles, 2,923 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Salisbury, CT. Highlights: The usual critters, some southbounders and section hikers. Will be in MA tomorrow (weather permitting)

8/2/08- 14.2 miles, 4,788 feet of total elevation gained. end point: Glen Brook Lean-to, MA (state #11 Bob and Glenn!!!) Highlights: Back in MA (for a few days)!!! Lots of the usual critters and several hikers early. Everyone scattered once the storms came around noontime. There was some delicious "trail magic"- apparently a church group was having a picnic and once the storms came they cleaned up before they were finished with the food but a "trail angel" from the group decided to leave a pot of corn on the cob out for the hikers!!!

8/3/08- 14.3 miles, 3,566 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Tom Leonard Lean to, MA. Highlights: Blueberries appearred again but a lot smaller here. Several southbounders and day hikers.

8/4/08- 11.2 miles, 3,058 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Shaker Campsite, MA. Highlights: none

8/5/08- 11.5 miles, 3,255 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Lee, MA. Highlights: Staying in a hotel in Lee- thank you to Amanda and the intern for driving around to find a hotel. Met lots of southbounders and section hikers. Watching the Sox play KC tonight and got the scoop on Manny.  

8/6/08- 16.2 miles, 3,967 feet of total elevation gained, end point Kaywood Lean-to, MA. Highlights: The usual critters and some hikers. Late start due to rain so hiked to late evening. The hiking today was similar to hiking in Harold Parker State Forest.

8/7/08- 12.5 miles, 2,941 feet of total elevation gained, end point:: Cheshire, MA. Highlights: Had lunch with Karen on Mount Greylock. Slack packed today.

8/8/08- 14 miles, 4,342 feet of total elevation gained, end point: N. Adams, MA. Highlights: Slack packed again. Back on the trail with the pack tomorrow morning.

8/9/08- 14.1 miles, 4,757 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Congdon Shelter, VT (state #12 Glenn and Bob!) Highlights: Karen left this morning to head to Maine for a family get together and it was back to hiking with a pack

8/10/08- 5.9 miles, 2,293 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Melville Nauheim Shelter. Highlights: Short day due to thunderstorms. Good raspberries along the trail. Had some "trail magic" at the trail head- calzones, hot dogs, burgers, soda, big bottles of Gatorade, cookies and brownies. Everyone left stuffed!!!

8/11/08- 12.8 miles, 3,688 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Kid Gore Shelter, VT. Highlights: Rain, rain, and more rain.

8/12/08- 8.2 miles, 1,811 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Kelly Strand Rd., VT. Highlights: Lots of mud. Staying in Manchester tonight and preparing for some mini "flip flops" to maximize 1 1/2 days of slack packing this weekend.

8/13/08- 14.8 miles, 4,524 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Lost Pond Shelter, VT. Highlights: Saw a snake and not much other wildlife.

8/14/08- 20.6 miles, 5,607 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Clarendon Shelter, VT. Highlights: none

8/15/08- 14.4 miles, 4,570 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Rte 4, Rutland, VT Highlights: none

8/16/08- 17.5 miles, 4,213 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Manchester Center, VT. Highlights: Today was part of the mini flip flop. Slack packed today. 3rd straight day of no rain!!!

8/17/08- 17.5 miles, 6,427 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Trail to Lakota Lake Lookout, VT. Highlights: slack packed most of the day. Slight delay in waiting for Brenda (the meeting spot was in the middle of nowhere down a VERY long dirt road) to get the pack back before she headed home prevented hiking the last 2 miles planned for today but still got a good amount of extra hiking done this weekend.

8/18/08 14 miles, 4,301 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Thistle Hill Shelter, VT Highlights: none

8/19/08 19.1 miles, 4,885 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Trescott Rd., NH. Highlights: Called Bob and Glenn (state #13!!!) Got lost on a blue blazed trail looking for water and ended up tenting in someones backyard (the homeowners offered).

8/20/08 12.4 miles, 4,731 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Trapper John Shelter, NH. Highlights: none.

8/21/08- 26.7 miles, 6,512 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Glencliff, NH. Highlights: Started early and ended late for one very long day. Stayed at the Hikers Welcome Hostel.

8/22/08- 9.5 miles, 4,730 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Kinsman Notch, N. Woodstock, NH. Highlights: First test of the White Mountains. Good views, decent hiking and they weren't as bad as people said.

8/23/08- 16.3 miles, 5,212 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Franconia Notch, N. Woodstock/Lincoln, NH. Highlights: Slack packed today. Mets lots of familiar hikers (with their packs) and smiled while passing them. :-)   Missed the chicken BBQ meal from the 4-H Fair for the first time in 25 years!

8/24/08- 10.3 miles, 6,896 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Garfield Ridge Campsite, NH. Highlights: Tough hiking- the best and also the hardest day. Great views, lots of people but only a few thru hikers.

8/25/08- 17.4 miles, 5,269 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Crawford Notch, NH. Highlights: Foggy day and no views. Lots of people considering it was a weekday.

8/26/08- Zero day. Spent the day with a long time family friend.

8/27/08- Another zero day. Karen came up with more food and warm clothes and is enjoying the day with a family friend. Tonight was the first district advisory meeting for the Lions of 33N and a telephone call with District Governor Randy Pinch was broadcast live in the meeting. Randy referred to the bear story- for those who may have missed that post you can look back to May 7 for the full story and look under the animal picture link to see the bear!

8/28/08- 11.2 miles, 6,414 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Lakes of the Clouds Hut, NH. Highlights: Rocky day. Did not make it over Mt Washington today.

8/29/08- 14.8 miles, 4,845 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Pinkham Notch, NH. Highlights: Went to the top of Mt. Washington- nice weather excellent views and no wind. Met up with Glenn at the end of the day.

8/30/08- 9.4 miles, 3,827 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Carter Notch, NH. Highlights: Slack packed with Glenn today. Good scenery, heavy climbs and lots of people out hiking during the holiday weekend. Missed the Brew Club BBQ today but everyone got the up to the minute update!

8/31/08- 13.3 miles, 4,379 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Rattle River Shelter, NH. Highlights: Tough hiking and windy today.

9/1/08- Happy Labor Day! 13.7 miles, 5,401 feet of total elevaation gained, end point: Gentian Pond Campsite, NH. Highlights: Tough day with lots of rocks/boulders.

9/2/08- 9.6 miles, 5,607 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Full Goose Campsite, ME. Highlights: MADE IT TO STATE #14!!!!! Met RI Red who didn't see me until he was 10 feet in front of me. He lost his glasses in Mahoosuc Notch and should be getting a mail drop with new ones in a few days. Another tough day.

9/3/08- 9.7 miles, 4,511 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Grafton Notch (Bethel), ME. Highlights: Saw all the peaks of Sunday River throughout the whole day. Made it through Mahoosuc Notch in 1 hour and 45 minutes. The climb out was the toughest.

9/4/08- Karen came to Bethel to bring me back to Middleton for a packed few days of activities. Attended the Middleton Lions meeting tonight. District Governor Randy walked through the door and thought he would be inducting a new member- it was just Mountain Lion sporting the new look! What a special treat for Randy- he has been a great supporter of this "journey"! Deb had the best expression of the night as she realized who the bearded man was.

9/5/08- Another day in MA. Was not recognized by most people when visiting Melrose-Wakefield Hospital today! Went to the beer check in for the Home Brew competition at the Topsfield Fairgrounds. More shocked faces.

9/6/08- Last full day in MA. Brew competition day. Manned the entries in the fridge and had some home brews- much better beer than there is on the trail- so good to be drinking some home brews!

9/7/08- 5.8 miles, 3,740 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Frye Notch Lean-to, ME. Highlights: Back to Maine this morning for an afternoon of hiking- didn't get to watch the season opener for the Pats. Saw Alaska and her dog who flip flopped to Katahdin and is now hiking with someone else and their dog.

*** Here is the link to the article that was printed in The LION Magazine, the publication of Lions Club International. This magazine is published in over 20 languages and is distributed throughout the world.    http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/news_mag_appheroes_sept08.shtml   ***

9/8/08- 10.5 miles, 4,147 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Hall Mountain Lean-to, ME. Highlights: none.

9/9/08- 4.1 miles, 2,093 feet of total elevation gained, end point: South Arm Rd, Andover, ME. Highlights: 00 (the hiker that is blind)  is a day behind- hoping to meet him soon.

9/10/08- 8.7 miles, 5,558 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Bemis Mountain Lean-to, ME. Highlights: Only saw a few people. Lots of mud on the trail.

9/11//08- 12.9 miles, 4,396 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Little Swift River Pond Campsite, ME. Highlights: Saw Santa today and got some pictures. Lots of turkeys but no moose yet. Passed a few hikers at the end of the day.

9/12/08- 13.1 miles, 5,092 feet of total elevation gained, end point: 1 mile before Saddleback Junior, ME. Highlights: Very foggy so there were no views from Saddleback and the rain came later in the day.

9/13/08- 10.4 miles, 3,921 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to, ME. Highlights: none

9/14/08- 5.2 miles, 3,848 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Caribou Valley Road, ME. Highlights: VERY wet, VERY windy (with gusts) and VERY miserable!!! Dangerous hiking today and fortunately the winds were blowing into the mountain or we would have been in trouble. The poncho was like a sail in the open areas. Met some other hikers who were going into Stratton so got a ride and staying in a motel. Did laundry, wathced the Sox beat Toronto and watched the Brady-less Pats beat the Jets!!! No time to watch NASCAR at Loudon.

9/15/08- Zero Day. Went to the Stratton, ME Lions meeting tonight.

9/16/08- 8.7 miles, 3,337 feet of total elevation gained, endpoint: Rte 27, ME. Highlights: Went to the doctor today due to knee pain that has been preventing sleep. Testing and blood work did not determine anything and was given a script for x-rays.

9/17/08- Another bad night. Early morning phone call to Karen to have her come up to bring me home to the MD for x-rays. Got home too late for x-rays but through some connections got an appointment with the orthopedic doctor tomorrow.

9/18/08- Went to the orthopedic doctor and was given some stronger anti-inflammatories and advised to wear a brace (guess I am going to fit in with all the other hikers now!) Went to the Middleton Lions meeting tonight and finished planning for the golf ball drop fundraiser on Saturday.

9/19/08- day off. Getting a liitle more sleep now.

9/20/08- Lion's golf ball drop fundraiser at the Middleton Golf Course.

9/21/08- The journey back to Maine- to Mount Katahdin to do a flip flop for the final 186.6 miles just to make sure that the trip can be completed (doctor suggested slowing down a bit, too)

9/22/08- 10.4 miles, 5,518 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Katahdin Stream Campground, ME. Highlights: Very tough day of hiking but found a hiking buddy. BEAUTIFUL day for hiking Katahdin. Champagne and celebrations at the top.

9/23/08- 13.4 miles, 1,611 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Hurd Brook Lean-to, ME. Highlights: none

9/24/08- 11.5 miles, 2,385 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Rainbow Stream Lean-to, ME. Highlights: Met lots of northbound hikers.

9/25/08- 10.7 miles, 2,776 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Nahmakanta Lake (south end), ME. Highlights: Very nice sunset tonight.

9/26/08- 6.2 miles, 571 feet of total elevation gained, end point: White House Landing, ME. Highlights: Staying here (in a cabin) for a fews days because of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Kyle. Coming in to the campsite there was what looked like a moose crossing the lake- it was actually a bear! The bear has only been seen crossing the lake 1 other time in the past 17 or so years. Usually the moose are in the lake crossing.

9/27-28/08- Zero Days while Kyle passes.

9/29/08- 15 miles, 2,254 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to, ME. Highlights: none

9/30/08- 11.7 miles, 3,632 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Logan Brook Lean-to, ME. Highlights: Amazing foliage colors! Met some German hikers that are doing a documentary about the AT and one of them has a friend who is a Lion!

10/1/08- 7.2 miles, 3,091 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Carle A. Newhall Lean-to, ME

10/2/08- 9.9 miles, 4,170 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Chairback Gap Lean-to, ME.  Met Zero-Zero, the blind thru-hiker who I have been trying to meet for the last 5 months

10/3/08- 10.9 miles, 4,542 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Long Pond Stream Lean-to, ME

10/4/08- 12.1 miles, 4,341 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Leeman Brook Lean-to, ME

10/5/08-n10.3 miles, 1,873 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Shirley Blanchard Rd., ME. Highlights: Watched the Pats game and Red Sox playoff game.

10/6/08- 11.6 miles, 2,408 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Moxie Bald Lean-to, ME.  Saw a large bull moose on the trail. He moved before I could get a good picture of him.

10/7/08- 13.1 miles, 4,908 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Pleasant Pond Lean-to, ME. I made it to the Kennebec River in time (9:30am) for the Ferry Service (9am-11am). Met Wasabi again. He was very wet from a fall in a stream. It was 10am, so he had time to catch the ferry service at the Kenebec River.

10/8/08- 19.7 miles, 3,750 feet of total elevation gained, end point: West Carry Pond Lean-to, ME

10/9/08- 5.8 miles, 1,588 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Bog Brook Rd., ME. Highlights: Staying in Stratton tonight then slack packing the FINAL 16.8 miles tomorrow!!! YES thats right- The through hike ends tomorrow! Karen will head up in the afternoon and we will return home on Saturday (in time to work at the Topsfield Fair for the brew club)- 6 months to the day since I departed for the start of the hike in Georgia!

10/10/08- 16.8 miles, 5,992 feet of total elevation gained, end point: Rte. 27 Stratton, ME. Saw 2 moose on the trail, but they went back in the woods before I could get a picture. Karen met me on the trail.  We hiked to the road and my LAST white blaze. I finished the 2,176.2 miles!!! Time to go home.

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