Date: 2005-11-04
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Good morning. I've been home since the 28th of October, but whatever ailment laid me low in Maine has been reluctant to let go. I have some days when I move around a little and then it's back to the couch to wrestle with symptoms that I'm all too familiar with. Two days ago I wrote a lengthy wrap to this adventure but when I clicked on "submit", Trail Journals "timed" me out and the computer ate my homework.I didn't get to climb Katahdin. The weather remained bad and I really never got a look at it either. While disappointed in doing all but 5.2 miles, I take comfort in knowing that I gave everything I had in the 100 Mile Wilderness. There was no more I could do. Some of my friends have said that they still consider me to have completed an Appalachian Trail thru hike, but I see it as one of those either/or situations. Either I did all of it or I didn't. I didn't. Nonetheless, there's a certain amount of notoriety and black humor in completing what may be the longest single season section hike in AT hiking history...then again, maybe not. The thought does give me a little mirthful laugh though. In the grand scheme of things climbing one more pile of rocks isn't really that big a deal. Still, though...There remains the completion of the Old Fart Trifecta; I have a marathon to run and a cross country ski race to complete before I turn 61 in March. I've got to get into some sort of training before all the fitness I worked so hard for on the hike is fatally compromised by a continued high calorie intake. Next year I'm going to remain in the upper midwest for whatever trouble I get into, probably doing another thru hike of the Superior Trail (which is more beautiful than 90% of the AT) and possibly Isle Royale and maybe some forays into the Boundary Waters. '07 may find me doing another thru hike of the AT and then, maybe not. I'd really like to do the Triple Crown of hiking, the Appalachian, Pacific Crest and Continental Divide Trails. I'm really uncertain how important it is to me because it is one thing to sit in front of a keyboard and speculate, but quite another to hike. Trust me on this. I would kind of like to get involved with something like Habitat for Humanity and give something back to the community while acquiring some currently non existant carpentry skills (I like giving stuff back to the community, just don't make me go to church). Going back to college is a possibility because there are so many interesting things that I want to learn more about. Getting a job is also on the list because I need to get a little nest egg for whatever is next. Life is too short, but much more fun when I fully engage it rather than sitting on my butt (Oooh,he said "butt"), waiting around just to see what happens. Finally, I need to thank a few people. First of all, I've got to thank me for coming up with this harebrained scheme and having the courage and discipline to see it through. It was made much easier because I've always enjoyed my own company. I say this somewhat facetiously because we all should be able to get along with ourselves and enjoy who we are. For much of my life I didn't, but today I find some of the stuff I get myself into to be a real hoot. I also want to thank Bitpusher and Creekdancer (I continue using their trail names until assured that the bench warrants have all expired). I wouldn't say that it couldn't be done without them, but my journal would be a lot skinnier and so would my belly. Diane Dryden was most helpful in converting journal entries into stories that were often published in the Washburn County Register. If you enjoyed reading the newspaper articles and want to email me, I will give you her home phone number. Call her at anytime, day or night, to express your thanks. I consider them all friends, whether they want to be or not. Robert & Michelle Ortmann (2 "n's", right?) from Alley Cats Coffee Shop in Spooner, Wisconsin were with me from the gitgo, and somehow still are. Al Bearhart, Cheryl Schaaf and Amanda Trott from the infamous Hole in the Wall Casino in the even more infamous Danbury, Wisconsin (where Nowslimmer got beat up and thrown in jail...inside joke) are long time friends and great supporters. I'd like to shout out to all those who suffered the indignity of playing football and basketball with me at Webster High School in the early 60's. This Bud was supposed to have been for you, but I still came up a little short. Somehow poetic, don't you think? I spent a lot of time on the trail thinking of old friends and veterans who have passed on: Chuck and Clair Trott, Bob Trott, John Holmes and many others. I think of each of you and miss your friendship more than most would know. Lastly to the citizens of my spiritual home, the Kingdom of Danbury, I love you and WEENUG!