Date: 2008-06-25
From: Glencliff, NH

To: Andover, ME
Miles today: 142.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well, folks. I attempted daily journal entries last time. It was time consuming!! I don't have the time or the energy in this leg of the trip to do that again. I will do my best to update you as thoroughly as possible without rambling too much or taking too much time. There are 5 other folks waiting on the computer.. Where to start? These past 142 miles have been tough. There is no way around it. I have been put to the physical test ever since I returned a few weeks ago. Being physically tested really drains me emotionally and mentally. Today as I walked, I thought about running the marathons. There is no feeling to compare to when you are totally drained, yet know you have accomplished something huge- it is bizarre, but such a sweet feeling that only comes once in a while. I experienced that feeling for the first time in 2006 when I finished my first marathon. I find myself craving that feeling again. I have busted tail and my quads have been screaming at me....and I feel relieved at the summit of a mountain that took my out because the rocks were wet and my balance not too great... (and boy have a I taken some intense falls this time around)... the 360 view of the surrounding mountains just put my weary mind into a different state of thought- gratefulness... I am so grateful for: the people I am hiking with; the days of sunshine; work-for-stay at the huts and gracious hut masters who took more than just two of us in; the energy I do have and the mental determination to keep going when all my body wants to do is quit; dry clothes (it has been wet lately); laughter; letters from people back home!!; memories of Strittlagus; good food; fast hitches; my eyesight; good music and time to write....Ok. Now time to focus on 'facts' of my trip.Hiked out of Glencliff and tackled Moosilauke. Boy, did I think that would be the toughest and boy was I WRONG! The climb up was LONG and a big one, but the descent and the following 14 miles were what kicked my tail. We did 17 miles out the first day and stayed at Eliza Brook shelter. That was such a trying day because I did not think it would end! I honestly was not impressed with the Whites at that point. It rained that night- making Kinsmen a nightmare in our minds...rocks+rain= disaster (at least for me!)Slept ok and got a later start out of the shelter due to inclimate weather. We did not want to tackle Kinsmen in bad weather, but eventually had to get moving. The original plan was to go 19 that day- HA! We hiked to Franconia Notch road and hitched into Lincoln...staying at Chet's hostel. GREAT decision! Before getting to the road, though, we hit up Lonesome Lake Hut where Kathryn gave Waterbear, Stormennorm, and I a ton of food to eat! On our way to the hostel, a man came out of his house and offered us some watermelon. We took the gift of free food...it led to ice cream, cake, ginger ale, stories of the thru-hikes of Duster, White glover, and Pole dragger! GREAT PEOPLE! Anyway, the stay at Chet's was a relief. We took a zero. We grilled out, cleaned up, and shared stories. We (One Flop, Hurricane, Waterbear, Stormennorm, Little Dipper, Bison, and Strides) hung out. Yes- Strides... He is a young man from MA. We finally met! He is quite the character and a pleasure to be around. The zero came about because the weather was no good and we didn't want to get up on Franconia in bad weather. (I am feeling rushed...less details coming, I think)Climbed up and out of the notch...my breath was taken away in several ways! The climb was a good one! The view overcompensated.. I was BLOWN AWAY by the view on Franconia Ridge. The climb was WELL worth it. The sky was blue, air was perfect...but there was a storm brewing in the distance. We hiked hard- taking it in. As we got on top of LaFayette, people gave us food. We celebrated...we watched the storm move in. It was one of the coolest things I have ever seen! (That does NO justice)... Nonetheless, the clouds rolled in, the hail and rain started falling, and I started walking! Galehead Hut- here we come!! Did work-for-stay the next morning (folding blankets) and got a late start with Strides. He and I hiked 21 miles to Mizpah- where they gave me the hook-up with food and a place to stay (unexpected, but sweet!). The climb up and over Webster Cliffs and Jackson was great.. beautiful..Um...from Mizpah we went to Madison hut..meeting some SOBOs.. I ran into a moose on trail by myself and it about scared the life out of me. (Story to come later, perhaps)... The rain subsided...sun came out some! The trail is wet as all get out.. VERY rooty ground..LOTS of rocks..Did 21 miles from Pinkham to Gorham. We stayed at White Birches Hostel..took a zero (because we were BEAT!) The climb up and over Wildcat was crazy..The feeling of hitting Maine was strange. I needed it because I was feeling down from the hard time in NH. Maine has not relieved the tiredness, not at all!! Mahoosac Notch was a hoot. I got lost (climbed up too high!)...I am all cut up. The 9.5 miles that day (yesterday) put the beat down- again. Speck Pond was beautiful. I did work for stay- planted two trees! I walked 15 today- and I am in Andover!!! I am staying at The Cabin... THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO SHARE- not enough time. You all will read this and perhaps never visit it again (this entry)...just know I am alive. I am getting closer each day. I am with some FUNNY people.. I am having a hard time not focusing on the end. I want it to end- I want it to keep going.. I need to focus on today.. I tell you- the physical challenge is here. The mental challenge is ever present. My emotional state has been taxed... but I am Katahdin bound. I am working on hiking strong and having fun, although it is tough sometimes.. Please keep praying for me..pray for those I am with.. I am off for now and perhaps won't get to update again for a while. I would love to share stories with you all when I get home.. leave me a message- let me know you read this.. I don't regret for one minute coming back. I am supposed to be here. I am going to finish this..and I am having the time of my life. I am realizing this is a once in a lifetime thing.. WOW.. UNREAL. I should summit on the 10th of July. I celebrate 5 months on trail tomorrow.. I hit day 151 today.. CRazy stuff..411- Vagus hit Katahdin on June 19th!! Just wanted you all to know.. Congrats to you, friend.