Date: 2008-08-24
From: Gentian Pond campsite

To: Mt. Success
Miles today: 0.0

Time to flex. This morning we could see that Certain was not feeling her best. She slept as long as possible, but without feeling rested, ate breakfast but soon felt "off" in the stomach. She had had incidents of loss of appetite and indigestion recently, but this morning's fatigue and discomfort really cut into her energy for hiking. At first she figured she would walk it off, so we started out around 10 a.m., heading straight uphill over a steep pitch and then down, where we got water for the day. We then began the challenging slog up Mt Success. Before long Certain was sitting down with her head in her hands, unable to decide what to do. V8 and I encouraged her to keep her options open, but not to push herself today. After another quarter mile or so, she said that she needed to not hike today. V8 quickly figured out the possible exit routes from the ridge, while I encouraged her to consider taking the day to just sleep, back at Gentian Pond. In the end, we decided to accompany her down the Austin Brook trail where Karen could pick us up and get her into a motel.    The walk required about a mile and a half of backtracking to Gentian Pond, where we stopped for lunch while Certain crashed on the tent platform. Then we began the descent to North Rd, via about 4 miles of very pretty trail, with a gradual grade. The mosquitoes have not heard that its late August yet, so were feasting on us as we got closer to the road way. We were able to get Karen by phone, and she kindly drove back from MA to scoop us up and take us back to the Gorham motel.    Desk personnel gave her two phone numbers for reliable medical offices that they will visit tomorrow, or as soon as possible. Her symptoms are a lot like mine were, intermittent but worsening over time.   I plan to see if Certain will be able to go back out by Tuesday afternoon, when we could pretty much pick up where we left off. Unfortunately, V8 will head home to get ready for work.    Meanwhile, it was really poignant to see the red maple leaves floating on the pond surfaces, and to come across gold leaves on the black trail here and there. Starry asters and gracious stems of goldenrod decorated the woods roads that we hiked out on, reminding me of the shift in seasons that is happening all around us. I saw a few stands of pearly white everlastings, and a small spray of turtleheads, as well. Austin Brook becomes a wide, granite based woodland stream eventually, complete with what looked like oft visited swimming holes and picnic areas. Hemlocks shone a silvery kind of light through the old forest, a very classic New Hampshire effect.   My thoughts are with Certain and Incessant as they cope with this disappointing, but all too familiar set-back. At least it isn't a major injury or, as far as we can tell, anything that would prevent her from completing her plans for Maine. My thoughts are also with V8, as she heads home tomorrow, a couple of days ahead of schedule. Things feel up in the air, as I know what I'd like to be doing, yet want to wait to see what Certain needs to do to take care of herself.    Once again, when I spoke with Tom, he was empathetic and very glad no one was injured. He encouraged me to stay in Gorham until we find out if Certain can get back on the trail soon. Thank you, Tom! Auntie Mame------------------------------Tell your friend about PocketMail and let the savings start rolling in!