Date: 2015-08-29
From: Grafton Notch

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 0.0

I haven't journaled much lately because I'm just so tired at night. All I want to do is sleep! I'm taking a zero today and after catching up my writings and phone calls, there will be a nap! I seem to be hiking in a daze most days now and just want to get each day done. I really enjoyed the White Mtns in NH and the scenery was so awesome. I hope my pictures can capture the beauty that surrounds me. Yesterday I left my camera behind so I didn't take pictures of Mahoosuc Notch and Mahoosuc Arm, which are referred to as the most difficult or the most fun mile on the AT. For me it was fun! I enjoy the rock scrambling but it is very slow hiking. I haven't used my poles for two days, using just my hands to hold on to rocks, roots, and trees as I make my way up and through the jumbled pit of boulders. At some points I could hear underground water running down the mountain under the boulders.We hiked part of the day yesterday with the Doyles. They are a fun crew. Met a father and son hiking together at the Carter Notch Hut where we stayed a few nights ago. We have been leap frogging them since. Yesterday we gave them a ride to town, stopping first at Sunday River Brewing Co in Bethel, ME, for dinner. They are hiking to bring awareness to a disease called Rett Syndrome following the diagnosis of a friend of their young daughter. If you want to read more about them go to juliesarmyofhope.org. They will summit Katahdin then flip to NJ and hike south to GA. I hope to deliver trail magic to them when they reach Hughes Gap. Good luck guys! Had dinner Thursday with Bee Man and his wife who were passing through the area after a trip to the NH coast. I hiked with him in the beginning of our hike. He and I got to go to church on Easter, the last time I have been and I miss it! I have listened to podcasts of Pastor Owen when I can get them downloaded. The first time I listened to one, I kept hearing "something" in the woods and would look over my shoulder looking for a bear, until it dawned on me that the sound was someone coughing in the audience coming through the podcast. It's nice seeing more people on the trail that I started with after they zoomed ahead or who are now at the same mile marker. There is a great sense of community on the trail and I greet them like long lost cousins, eager to hear how their hike has been going and to hear who has summited Katahdin and info on other hiker¢s journeys. Rockboat, who started the same day as I did, has finished and is back home. Congratulations! I know Mrs. Rockboat is glad you're home safe and sound! 3D from Raleigh and Penguin from Charlotte are very close to Katahdin. I did some pre-AT hiking with them and wish you both continued strength to finish! Oh, and speaking of cousins, thank you Sally for your donation to CureSearch. I hear you and Steve are off to Portugal to celebrate 40 years of togetherness. Congratulations and have fun! And to cousin JR: are you crazy? I'm flying home! Lu thank you for your voice mails of encouragement. But why are you always out of breath when you call?? I'm the one out here hiking up these blessed mtns!! One last shout out to Patti. When I come home I am going to ride Umstead with you, I think I can keep up now. But just once, 'cuz like the trail, once is enough.