Date: 2017-06-26
From: Stealth camp

To: Norwich, Vermont 
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: few clouds

Day 114:The weather last night was spectacular with clear skies and a refreshing mountain air chill. Stars lit up the sky which called for a no rain fly night for my tent. I laid in my tent staring at the sky above me and realized that the end of my journey is so very close. While hiking you have that time to reflect on what's happened, what's happening and what's going to happen. I thought back to when I started this dream. I remember counting the miles hiked each day and adding them to the total. Those were the miles that brought me closer to achieving this monumental task. Today I find that I'm subtracting and counting down how many miles are left before Katahdin. Those are the same miles left before I can go home. Home is where Annie is... I've not seen her since March 5th, that first day at Springer when we said our goodbyes. Sure, this all sounds so sentimental, but isn't that all part of the journey? Here I am typing this journal entry on a smartphone keyboard with one hand and wiping tears with the other. Yep, it's all part of the journey... life's journey.  About today's hike... I woke up, started packing up and pulled our food bags out of the tree we hung them on the night before. As is the routine, I deliver "Scooby's" bag to his tent. It's one of those expectations that he always appreciates. He says it's like magic... he wakes up and his food bag is there waiting on him.  We hiked for forty five minutes when we came to a creek crossing with a cooler on the other side. Trail magic?  Only one way to find out. I crossed first while hanging on to the cable strung across to aid with the rapid force of the raised creek. Yes!!! Soda as trail magic is always welcomed, even at 7:00 AM in the morning. That sugar rush was truly appreciated with the climb we were getting ready to face as well. The hiking today was really kind to us again.  It was a beautiful walk through conifer forest, deep piled pine needles and limited "Vermud" aka Vermont mud.  Our destination was the town of Norwich. As I mentioned yesterday, a couple of packages await me. My sister and my son, daughter-in-law and my granddaughters sent Birthday greetings to the hotel where we were booked.  My son Richard, his wife Lauren and my precious granddaughters sent me a small backpack size bottle of Irish whiskey that I will enjoy on my actual birthday (June 30th).  The girls also made homemade birthday cards for Grand Pop Whistler. A bit more about my sisters method of delivering her gift/ box to me... Susan is an avid baker when she isn't playing doctor. Her flour brand of choice is King Arthur. This storied company has been producing flour since 1790 and is highly regarded in the world of baking. Oh, this company also happens to be headquartered in Norwich. Anyway, Susan has developed a relationship with Laurie, a customer service representative. Susan shipped my box filled with hiker goodies to Laurie and Laurie and twelve of her friends delivered it to the Norwich Inn. We gathered in the hotel's pub, ate, drank and of course sang happy birthday to Whistler. An incredible evening and one which will not soon be forgotten.  FYI, the Norwich Inn is a beautiful property and one that I would highly recommend.  Tomorrow is another big day as we say farewell to Vermont and greet the great state of New Hampshire. Whistler