Date: 2005-09-20
From: The Birches Campsite

To: Mount Katahdin 
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

The end of the trail. What can one say, how can it be put into words, impossible to say the least. 2174.9 trail miles, 300 (+) train up miles and who knows how many "off the trail" miles. This day took a long time to get here. At the end of this trek I had two great gifts given to me. First of all was reaching the summit itself. Walking along with Good Times (a.k.a. Tracker) in the front he turned to me and said,"I see signage and its big". I new my journey had ended.    We stayed there and the weather turned from bad to worse. Rain turned to hail, the wind went from a gust to a steady blow around 30 mph. It was time to head out of dodge now. As I mentioned I had all my gear (being the Purist that I was) however, my partner had limited gear. We could have fit in my tent together so there were "No Worries".    The second gift, as I mentioned also before, was given to me through the love of a friend, Bryan Petruski. That once again all started months before when home, back in July on a zero week, he made me an offer. He said then, "I will be there to pick you up when you come down off of the top". Realize this, back then I was shocked. He explained then that he wanted to do this as a way of being a part of my experience. I then turned to his wife Joanne and asked, "Do you realize what he is offering me, after all Baxter State Park in Maine is a long way from Kingston New York". She handed me a piece of paper with their cell phone number on it, smiled and said, "Keep in touch". We confirmed then that all he needed was just a five day notice and he will be there.    Good Times and I took a number of pictures on the top. There was a thick cloud cover so the pictures did not come out clear and we had no summit vista's however, it was a beautiful day. We made a toast and drank the beer we carried from the Abol Camp Store. I did not know what to expect once it was all over and done with. I wanted to yell, I wanted to scream, I ended up praying and giving thanks to the Lord (Prayers do indeed come true). I took a moment to also remember all those who I dedicated this trip to personally. I then turned and wiped my tracks from the trail releasing the spirits of those who may have come with me. It was, as I read once, a practice of certain Native Americans to do so. This way the spirits would not follow you home or invade your sleep. It may not of added up to anything but, it made me feel comfortable.    On the way down from the top of Katahdin I said to Good Times, "Wouldn't it be nice to see my friend Bryan at the Ranger station when we get to the bottom". As we neared the "sign in" kiosk, Good Times said, "I think I see a car ahead", and indeed there was (a Black Cadillac with New York tags). Trust me when I say that only my friend Bryan would have got as close as he could get by car. He had parked at a camp site and was literally inches away from the trail (indeed as close as anyone could physically get to the end of the trail). I saw him through the trees and yelled out a big old New York, "YO"! Bryan ran over and gave me a bear hug that about broke a few ribs (Bryan I should add is as strong as an Ox). He told me they just got there ten minutes ago. He and a friend (my new friend), Wayne had a fire going. Soon after food was cooking, Good Times was invited in of course and we ate good and a few beers were consumed. Now that is how a man should end his adventure. The summit took four hours to hike up (summit reached at 11:20) and two hours to hike down.    After we were there a short period of time Bryan had some unfortunate news from home. A mutual acquaintance of ours had a death in the family, his Mother passed away. We all needed to get home to say good bye to this outstanding woman. Once he told me about it, we were soon on our way. We packed up our gear, put out the fire and gave away the wood they had left (Levi's parents were there and gladly excepted). We were just about ready to leave and then I heard my trail name being called, "Where is Wilderness Bob, We are looking for Wilderness Bob". A group of thru-hikers who were going to summit the next day came up to me to say good by, I was touched. They had just heard from Levi's parents that we just finished getting back. The Troll Family, Squid Jerky, Ug and a few others (I am sorry I do not remember everyone), came to congratulate Good Times and I. I wanted to stay and talk more however, we needed to leave.    Wayne gave Good Times a ride to a Hostel in Millinocket. We went and drove about half way home and Wayne rented a room for the night. The two of them bought me supper that evening and that night I slept on the floor (the carpet was so comfortable). We were up and made it home in time for the services (I have known the family for thirty years).    It just goes to show us all, life does not go on for ever. If you ever thought about walking the AT my advise is to go for it, you only live once. To my family and friends I thank them for their support. Without them this trip would not have been possible. I called Bryan to ask some personal questions soon after returning home. He wants to summit Katahdin next Summer. I offered, if possible, to do it with him and he said that would be great. We just may be back soon enough Mount Katahdin, to do'er again.      Another good friend of mine, Steve Johnson, visited me the other day and made a comment on all the effort I put in to creating this journal. The comment stuck in my mind and I wanted to add it to this last entry. He said that I have taken the trip twice now, once with my body and the other with my memory. How true. Both have left me physically exhausted.   "What is next?", I ask myself. Who knows, I don't need anything in life. There are in fact, plenty of other trails. I have the faith that the Lord will put me on the "right path" and that faith is all I ever really needed.    Peace out, Wilderness Bob