Date: 2007-09-06
From: Katahdin Stream Campground (Millinocket)

To: Mt Katahdin, Baxter Peak
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

We all got up early, ate breakfast and headed for Baxter State Park. We saw some moose at Stump Pond on the way to the peak so we stopped and got some good pictures. Stacy¢s ankles were still really sore after her chiropractic appointment so we decided that I would hike the peak alone and Kim and Stacy would spend the day together doing something a little less strenuous. After hiking the peak I knew we had made the right decision. There was some very tough hiking in that 10.4 miles (5.2 up and 5.2 down). Kim and Stacy got more moose pictures and spent some time in Millinocket while I hiked up and down Mt Katahdin. I was really happy they got to spend that time together. I really enjoyed the climb too. It was tough, with some spots causing me to pause to figure out how to get up and over some boulders. I reached the peak at about 10:10 and had it all to myself. I set my camera up on my hiking stick and took some timed photographs of myself with my magnum of champagne. I spent about 20 minutes up there before heading back down the mountain. I may have stayed longer, but it was pretty cold and windy up there. I didn¢t feel any strong emotions upon completing the trail like a lot of people seemed to think I might. I just felt happy to be done and anxious to get back down off the mountain so I could spend more time with Kim and Stacy then get back home to other family and friends. Don¢t get me wrong¢¦thru-hiking the AT was an incredible experience and I am grateful I got the chance to do it, but it pales in comparison to the joy I get from spending time with friends and family. The best part of hiking the trail was the new friends I made along the way. Only time will tell how many will be lasting friendships, but I hope some will be. I know I will never see nor hear from many of the people I met along the way, but I am happy to have met each and every one of them. Actually, I have never met many of the people that brought me joy on the trail. A lot of you have corresponded with me through my journal. I got a lot of pleasure hearing from each of you. I tried to reply to everyone that left their email address when they signed my guest book¢¦I hope I didn¢t miss anyone. I also owe a lot of thanks to all the trail angels that made my journey so much more enjoyable, some of whom I met and some I didn¢t. And a special thanks to the countless trail maintainers who do their best to keep over 2,000 miles of trail in tip-top hiking condition. I had no idea how much work goes in to maintaining those trails before this hike. My friends and family deserve a lot of credit too for their support and prayers¢¦much thanks to all of you! Then there¢s my wife, Kim. I¢m not sure how many miles she drove (probably over 8,000) but she met me 5 different times along the trail and held down the fort at home while I went hiking for six months. Thanks Kim¢¦I love you! And of course I¢ve got to thank God for keeping me safe and healthy and for all the other blessings He heaped on me during this big adventure. Early in the hike, when someone would ask if I was hiking all the way to Maine, I¢d always say, ¢If it¢s the Lord¢s will.¢ After a while it became apparent to me that I was supposed to be out there. God was blessing me at every turn in the trail, and He was clearly blessing others through me, so I became more comfortable with my decision to spend half a year hiking the AT. I¢m looking forward to sharing my adventure with others in the local area. I¢ll use this journal to post the dates and locations I¢ll be giving presentations about my hike. I know Kim has me booked for a few already. Hopefully I¢ll see some of you at them. If you¢d like for me to come speak to your group just let me know. I¢d be happy to do it. I¢ll also add some thoughts, lessons learned, and some more pictures in the next week or so, so please check back if you¢re interested¢¦Cheers¢¦Dan (aka 357 Magnum)