Date: 2005-10-04
From: Cheshire, Massachusetts

To: Kay Wood Leanto
Miles today: 12.3

Well, after a much too short visit with my family in Virginia, I am now back on the trail, working to finish up the section I missed - the 516 miles from Cheshire, Massachusetts to the Maryland/Pennsylvania border. (I will end my hike officialy at the PennMar Park, a stone's throw south of the actual state line.)As usual, my dear wife pulled out all the stops to help me get ready to go back out, including doing my laundry, repairing my hiking poles, organizing my rental car and hotel, etc. I drove up here yesterday, staying in Pittsfield last night at the Comfort Inn, right across the street from the Hertz rental car ofice, and then this norning called a taxi for the ride into Cheshire.I must say I had some mixed emotions about heading south this morning, and indeed, even resuming my hike at all. Having summited Katahdin, not tomention having survived the Whites, the rest of the trip is now somewhat anti-climatic to say the least. I have to confess also that I am tired enough from the first 1700 miles that I sort of wish I were already done. But that is not the case, and I don't - as a general rule - leave things undone. And, finally, it does seem a bit strange to be going south after so many miles going north.The main thing that I will miss, however, will be the companionship of good friends. My assumptions are that the south bounders are all well south of here by now, and the north bounders all north of here, so I'm going to be spending a fair amount of time hiking alone.As I type this, I am the only one at the shelter, and judging from the trail registers I've read so far today, it isn't likely I'll be getting anycompany. C'est la vie. I'm sure the 35 days or so will go fast, and every day will bring closer both to finishing my hike and to home! Meanwhile, I will be doing what I dd when I got back on the trail at Fontana Dam - making the best of the situation. Tonight, for example, I've gathered wood for a fire, and that always cheers me up. As to today's hike, I am happy to say that the trail was kind and the distance most reasonable for a first day out. There were only a couple of climbs - a 1000 foot this morning and a 500 foot this afternoon. The rest of the time the trail meandered over a plateau. The treadway was also quite decent, no bogs, some rots, but not a lot of rocks.I would like to have moved faster and covered more ground, but decided not to, for two reasons. First, of course, my knees - as my right one is definitely showing signs of wear and tear. Second, the shelter options meant I would have to stop at 12.3 or go another 9 miles or so, making it a 21 mile day, which I really didn't have time for after my later than usual start this morning.I am, however, poised for doing an 18 mile day tomorrow which, if I can pull it off, will give me a two day total of 30 miles - which is about what I'd like to average.So, I am back in the saddle again, and heading toward the finish line. If the knee holds up, I'll get there sooner rather than later. I figure about five weeks, so sometime in the first week of November, I plan to be home. Yesss!One last thought- it has been really wonderful to hear from so many friends and acquaintances, either via email , or, through the guest book on this journal site. Please keep those cards and letters coming - they REALLY mean a lot!Stay tuned,LonghaulSent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com