Date: 2008-07-10
From: The Birches lean-to

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Woke up to a naucious/nervous feelings...one of those feelings that you would get before a marathon or some other kind of event. I couldn't get myself to eat anything either. I don't know why I'm nervous...I've been hiking for over 5 months now. What makes this day any different other than it being our last day out here together? Today is the day that we've been pictureing for months now.Went to meet Lisa (Norm's mom) at the trail head...we saw her sleeping in the back seat of the car..we tapped the window smiled + waved as she looked up at us. She didn't seem too happy. Because of the storm last night, her flight got delayed which caused her to arrive here late too. Lisa was hoping that we would sleep in alittle longer. Bless her heart, she only had 30 minutes of sleep and now she is challenged in her own ways to climb a tough mountain on little energy and little "training". We plan on meeting Stride, Strides + his girlfriend, and Hurricane at the top. My throat started to have a burning sinsation while getting teary-eyed AS we started the hike up Katahdin. The first bit wasn't bad of a hike, but the rest of it was all bolder climbing. Seen a beautiful waterfalls close to the trail head. Also, the streams of water on this mountain was crystal clear...could be from the rain, but still it was nice. The higher we got, the more foggy, COLD, and WINDY it got. Also, the higher we got, the fewer the trees...to where we ended up above the tree line.The wind wasn't helping me with my fears of bolder climbing. Some areas were tricky on where to place your footing. Even though that normally bolder climbing and extreme weather would drive me cRaZy..the hear lately, it things like that just didn't really get to me as much as it usually does because I know that I'm almost finished. I just enjoyed whatever the trail gave me. I KNOW what I'm capable and not capable of doing. We kept hoping that the sun would come out before/when we get to the top. Whether the weather cleared up or not, we were excited to just get to the top and see the sign with all of our friends. As I looked out in the distance, I could see a sign. I questioned myself for a split second whether or not that is IT. Not a second longer, I shouted in joy with my hands up in the air. Then I started seeing heads poping up. They were celebrating while sitting down behind rocks trying to dodge the wind. They cheered as we were finishing our last steps on the A.T. We all hugged in excitement with over welm emotions. Then I hugged and kissed the sign. Quickly took pictures and started to hike down the mountain for it was just too cold and windy. My hands were like ice.We wasn't able to get a view from the top, but as we climbed down, the clouds started to open up. It is like nothing else that we've seen. I felt like I was in another country looking out in the distance. It was BEAUTIFUL!...just like we've heard. Along the way down, we passed Nitro and Hampton and told them congratulations.As we made it down, it was time to say our good byes. I hate "good byes". Can't believe it's over.Hurricane, Strides + his girlfriend, and Stride rode off together to their destinations. We ate lunch in the car as we headed out...while looking back at Katahdin. We ended up staying at this old fashion cabin place near by Katahdin. For dinner, I had my favorite of barb-que sandwhich. YUM!! Happy, but more sad that it's "all over". Hiking the A.T. may have ended, but my journey has not. Everything that I learned out on the trail, I will never forget. Hiking the trail sure wasn't easy, but the trail + the people helped me to become a stronger individual--physically, emotionally, and mentally...and I thank you! Thanks for those who took an interest in my journal and for those who gave me love and support. Because of you, you helped made each step alittle easier. Maybe some day, I will be doing the PCT.I am going to continue for awhile on my journal to let you all know how things are going for me back in the "real world". /sigh