Date: 2023-07-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Said goodbye to the Green Mtns. as we passed the LT/AT Trailhead on Rt. 9 to head to Millinocket Maine. Of course when pulling out at 7:30 a.m., our bellies were full with coffee, over easy eggs and bacon cooked to perfection and buttered toast!  The eight hour trip with stops for rest, coffee, and gas went so smoothly as we travelled the interstate.  Soon traffic slowed as we got further north. I am sure Recon thought, "Is this guy ever going to shut up!".  It was truly out of joy and excitement to be hiking this final section of the Appalachian Trail with Recon.  I already am in a better mindset than in 2021. The last rest stop before Medway was almost empty, had heavy lids to keep critters out of the trash cans and a No Potable Water. A sign that we were close to our final stop.  The Appalachian Trail Hostel.  I am sure the drive was hard on Recon, but I am glad that I haven't done that for over a week.  It is one of the major tech advances to lose in order to slow to the hikers pace of travel. Recon parked the car for the final time and I checked us in. A quick tour of the bunk options and rules of stay and we were left to our minimal camp chores.  Mainly pulling out a clothing bag and using it to claim a lower old guys bunk.  They are comfortable and the place is a little warm with 86* outside weather, but fans or roar sting and they are trying to push hot air out. Quick nap by Recon gave us both a chance to elevate legs for better hiking tomorrow. I believe I am truly Keeping the Faith and am so honored to be hiking with Recon.  Without a doubt, he is a stronger hiker than I and so knowledgeable on trail that I learn from him and am inspired by him daily.  Next to my wife, I am sure he is the only one that can put up with me long term. I can't believe that I have been blessed to have shared the trail with him since the hundred mile mark at Albert mountain, five years ago.  He saw me through Sickness in Pa, self doubt after a fall in after the Lemon Squeezer, Restored Hope in the Green Mtns, Pulled me through the Whites, and finally turned me over to RTK (Return to Katahdin) to send us both to the finish when he couldn't, not out of weakness but out of strength to one day claim his rightful finish. If the hiking boots were switch and I faced what he did, I would have never come back once, much less twice to get it done!  So it is a huge honor to get invited share in Recons AT Hike.Additional Story:  on the way out of the hostel for dinner, Recon came across another hiker laying on a bunk. The usual Nobo, SoBO type of talk led to this hiker discussing that her had a myocardial infarction earlier in his hike that had forced him back to Texas. Pass military service meant he had to go through his VA there.  He's up here to provide trail magic in the HMW for his brother that continued hiking and is probably set to finish his journey. Recon thanked him for his service and you could tell he was a humble yet strong individual that couldn't believe that he was off trail and the doctors urging him not to hike at all!  Recon shared his very similar Avib story and I was blessed to witnessed a God Moment; were these two individuals crossed paths at just the right moment to impact one or another at a higher level of shared commonality or humanism!