Date: 2006-09-16
From: Speck Pond Campsite

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: few clouds

Started:Speck Pond CampsiteFinished:Grafton NotchSleeping:HostelMiles:4.6Total Mile:1907.8Miles till Katahdin:266.8This entry is going to difficult for me, because the physical and emotional wound I'm nursing presently is still acute. First, I want to thank my transcriber, Journey, for filling you in on my present condition. She has devoted half a year of her time to my dream...without her I would have been unable to share my experiences with you. Till today, I was unable to put two words together without weeping. I'm crying now. Seems there's no bottom to this well of tears...It was so hard to see my friends load up in Susan's pickup yesterday and pull away to return to the trail. We laughed, we joked, we cryed. We all know the trail doesn't respect persons. It is just as easy to be injured in the first mile of this journey as it is in the last mile.As I waited for Rod (God bless him) to drive up from PA to pick me up, I sat alone doing a puzzle to take my mind off the fact that I was only 266 miles, less than three weeks from summiting Katahdin. I had already planned my photo opts. for this years Christmas card. I saw myself hugging other hikers and sipping champagne, patting myself, mentally, on the back for what I had accomplished along with support of family, friends, journal well wishers, etc. Over the passed weeks I had hiked with Johnny K and others like Monologue, Dadgum & Flying Tortoise, Nickname, Kids Meal, Natty Boh, Wolf Paw, Chickade, etc. through the most difficult portions of the AT. I had even muscled my way through the Mahoosuc Notch (hardest mile on the trail) and the Mahoosuc Arm WITH my injury. I stand mentally and physically humbled by my misfortune. My will to continue is bruised, but not broken. My completing the trail this year, is in God's hands. I believe, at best, if my rotator cuff is brusied and not torn, I will be able to skip appoximately 166 miles, get back on the trail at Monson, ME., by Sept. 28th (where I would meet up with Johnny K, Monologue & Dadgum) walk the hundred mile wilderness and summit Katahdin. If my cuff is torn, I will have to have surgery and wait till next year to finish, but as Rod says,"I know you will finish."The injury was caused by my treking pole. I was hiking a down hill on an area of trail that was badly overgrown. It was as though I was bushwacking my way down the mountain. I stumbled over something and recovered from falling by straight-arming my right arm into my teking pole. My right shoulder took the full weight of my bodies downward motion. I didn't fall, but it felt like I had taken a sharp spear into my shoulder. I was in extreme pain and immediately lost the use of my right arm. I could not lift it from my side. This was the day before Mahoosuc. The next day I would lift my right arm with my left arm to climb. Johnny K would hoist me up over large boulders by locking wrist and pulling me up. That night the pain hit and I could not sleep. I took four Tylonal PM and still the pain kept me awake. The next day I hiked into Andover, ME. and was shuttled to the doctor.I am now in route to PA with Rodney. He has been wonderful and says he will take me back up to ME if all works out. He said he would even hike the wilderness to help me suceed. Who could ask for more..Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I believe that all things work for the good of those who love the Lord. I believed that when my first son passed away (my reason for walking for CMN) I believe that now. I have learned to praise God, even when things don't go my way...because I trust Him with my entire being.I will continue journaling as what is to come unfolds...it's a mystery you know!Oh, by the way, I've decided that if I ever write a book about my experience on the trail(and excuse the french) I will entitle it: Foot Trail? MY ASS!