Date: 2016-08-30
From: Mile 1607

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: clear sky

We had my 2nd follow up appt yesterday with the orthopedic surgeon. The femur is healing well!! I will continue therapy, on my own, while away & go back to 2 or 3 times a week when we get home. We also did a bone density scan....looks great & normal. So, just a freak accident, nothing to do with my physical condition or health!! We got the ok to travel, so....off to VT, NH & Maine!! We arrived to where we thought my extraction/rescue took place at a little after 10 am this morning. Tuesday the 30th. Near Congdon Shelter, mile 1607, north bound. Big Cypress & Shawn we walking off into the woods at just about 11 am. I was a little emotional...worried about their safety! Wondering if God really wanted us back on the trail?!? (Well, not Moonbeam....as I'm not able!) Big Cypress assured me, He (God)would've stopped us before now. Thoughts are racing in my mind. Maybe I, Moonbeam, needed off trail so that Father & Son can hike, bond, make memories, grow and mature! His Devine plan!! He's in control!! He will guide their feet, make them swift and keep them safe!! For whatever His reason is. Well...Oliver, our Jack Russel Terrier, and I took a spin thru Bennington. My Knights in Shining Armour are volunteers & not at the Rescue Station. So, I was unable to go see them and thank them once again! We spent a few hours at Stewart's Shop (convenience store/gas station). Sat outside, had our lunch, brought from home and visited with a couple older gents. Funny thing, when mentioned I fell in June here in VT they new about me...David aka Bear has a radio that gets the rescue or police calls & knew all about my injury. I didn't get the older gents name, he was very nice & Oliver really took to him. He headed home and then Ed sat down to visit. I found out we didn't get Big Cypress & Shawn to the closest spot or the same spot that is. David informed me and Big confirmed by sending me a text stating they didn't hike as far today, as they had to hike 3 or 4 miles to the AT spot where I fell. So, they were a little off plan, but doing well. I told our parents we were here & safe! I chatted with my mom a bit, but service isn't very good, so dropped the call.I headed out to the road crossing I'm meeting them at tomorrow. I arrived at 3:30, Kelley Stand Rd & Statton Arlington Rd. Nice gravel road. It was about 10 miles give or take, to the Parking area. Journey & Ducky were getting water when u arrived. They moved on going south. Then I was quickly greeted by Bumblebee from Maine. She's a AT class of 2011 alum and attempting a SOBO this time. We visited for hours! We also were joined, only briefly by, Chipolte from Arkansas, Twinkle from Denver and a couple other hikers, names slipped my mind. I welcomed them to leave trash with me & to help themselves to some filtered water! We came with a 7 Gallon container.Bumblebee tented near by at a nice camp site she passed coming south. Oliver and I packed ourselves in the cozy accommodations of the back of the Tundra and eavesdropped on some very young & loud SOBO thru hikers. It's 8:04 pm. Praying all is well with my men this first night out! Goodnight and thank you Lord for getting us here safe & sound!!1607 to Melville Shelter for 5.2 miles plus the 3 or 4 miles from drop off to the AT, oops!! Big Cypress Thought it was closer!!ml