Date: 2008-08-31
From: Conway N.H.

To: Conway N.H.
Miles today: 9.5

We all woke up early, had breakfast and were on the road by 06:45. We first had to drop off Medium Rare, he was about a day ahead of us on the trail. While we were stopped, a state trooper pulled up behind us to see what we were up too?Although clean, we still didn't project the image of model citizens, I'm not sure what he thought he was going to find, however we did learn that pulling off on the shoulder of this hiway is apparrently illegal.Given our location on the map and the minimal options of roads that wind through the base of the mountains, we had to make, more or less a big circle in order to first drop off Sprite & Freckles then for me to drive several miles away and park at another trail head.The big attraction for today was to summit Mt. Moosilauke at 4,802 ft.This marked the beginning and the first of the peaks to bag throughout the Whites and Presidential Mountain Ranges. It was also the first mountain above tree-line. At the bottom it was warm and relatively sunny. However, as I began to climb Mt. Moosilauke it started to become cooler, the higher I went. The wind was picking up as well and the sky became thick and overcast.Upon reaching the top, I was not alone. There were some day hikers that appearred then faded out like ghosts in the thick fog. Just to my left was a partial stone wall that stood just above waist high. It was a remnant of a building that once stood here and would now serve as a wind break for me to eat lunch. As I approached, Sprite & Freckles were already there. I put on my warmer clothes and we sat trying to enjoy the moment despite the cold, windy and foggy conditions.What a shame I thought to be missing out on the view, oh well, I will be climbing more mountains.I handed off the keys to them and we headed off in opposite directions. Again I stood and studied the remaining structure that once stood here in 1860 and had burned down in 1942.It now was a wind break I used while eating a quick lunch. The clouds were lifting a bit. For the first time I could see part of the valley floor below and the base of other mountains. As I continued to walk across the top of Moosilauke, the clouds seemed to be lifting even more. As I neared the other end just before starting back down, I stopped to enjoy an awesome view which was now made available to me. Although the clouds were thick and vast, they had lifted just high enough for me to be able to see all around for miles. Shaking my head smiling with almost a chuckle, I looked up and thanked the Angel responsible.I normally don't walk around in a dreamy state praising angels, I don't think anyone who has ever met me would ever get that impression either? However, that being said, there have been times in my life that I have been spared or have been lifted out of certain death situstions and some of life's cruelty. These particular times were more than just being lucky, I came to realize that for some reason, I was blessed at times and permitted to continue my life.Some might call it a Guardian Angel(s)? As much as I would like to think I am worthy of Divine intervention, I think it is more of a case of a spirit, that in order to redeem himself, is serving pentance in watching over a problem child whom graduted with honors, from the school of Hard Knocks.In any case, at no time in my life have I experienced more presence. So many things have happened, unexplainable good fortune and people that come into your life and all just at the right moment. It is hard to know exactly whether the AT is truly a magical place or a trail to condition those who are making the journey, to be made ready to have revealed and receive greater lessons of life?I often scratch my head in wondering what I ever did to be so deserving? Shaking my head again, I just find it hard to believe it is actually happening to me? The trail was very steep going down. For quite a ways it followed along side a continuos series of waterfalls. I could never tire of this site nor the feeling of rejuvenation I felt, as I walked.The base of the mountain eventually brought me to Kinsman Notch. Emerging from the woods, I came upon a small parking area. Sprite & Freckles had not arrived with the car yet, so I made my way over to a picnic table where a another hiker was sitting. As I approached, I recognized him as "Chipmonk" the last time we saw each other was on the trail near Erwin Tennessee over 1400 miles ago. We both yelled, gave each other a hug and bantered back and forth all the while noticing each others transformations.Chipmonk appearred to have gone "tribal" as I call it. He had a thick beard, his hair had grown out and he had more of a "in the wild" look. Despite this, he was still the same cheerful, positive enjoyable guy I met the first night on the Approach Trail, at Black Gap Shelter nearly 5 months ago.It was an unexpected treat to have this short reunion and as it turned out for Chipmonk, when I came upon him, he was momentarily resting before attempting a hitch of several miles into the town of Lincoln to stay at a hostel.Trail Magic prevailed upon him, in the form of a ride when Sprite & Freckles had arrived.Once again the timing, with the difference of less than a minute, we would have missed each other. There have been many times known and even more unknown when a minute was all that stood between something happening or not happening? It was good to know that Chipmonk was alive and well and still hiking the trail.Although the climbs and descents have been steep and challenging in many ways, the views so far have been worth every bead of sweat and groans of pain from my knees. The drive back to Conway was familiar, the mountains were amazing and tomorrow we would be spending more time hiking than driving. Back at the condo, I thought of my daughter Karly who was returning back to Canada today, after spending 2 weeks with My oldest daughter Jeannette in Indiana. I was glad that I was able to have spoken with here last night.I wish my loved ones could share and experience at least in part, if not all, what I have been so fortunate to enjoy?