Date: 2011-08-26
To: Pinkham Notch, NH
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I forgot to log my last day of hiking the Appalachian Trail. 6 months later and I finally remember. Kind of sad...but kind of makes me smile too. I would like to think that my AT adventure may have started, but will never end. I finished my section in Maine and continued on my motorcycle to Gorham, ME. I bought a new cheap camera at the local Walmart and headed up to Wildcat Mountain to atone for my yellow blazing, gondola riding sins. Although Wildcat is primarily a downhill ski area, as in wintertime, they still have activities in the summer. Like zip lines, nature hikes and gondola rides. Lucky they gondola was open today and I could hitch a ride to the top and complete my hike. Of course, if they never opened in summer I never would have skipped this section to begin with...but I digress.I parked my bike and hoped no one would molest it for the 2 hours (wishful thinking!) I was gone. Bought my gondola ticket, changed from motorcycle guy to hiker trash guy, and headed to the gondola. Since it was only 2 miles, I didn't take much. A few snacks, a bottle of gatorade, a camera, and a map. I was a little nervous, but I don't know if it was worried about getting lost or finally finishing up the AT. Nevertheless, I climbed into the gondola and enjoyed the scenic ride up.At the top I had perfect views. I could see the Mt Washington summit and its associated antennas, plus lots more. There was a family having a picnic and I asked them to take my pic. I checked out the cabin that some friends crashed at to escape some inclement weather, glad I wasn't with them (it was a dump). Then I finally breathed in deep and started hiking.The first 10 or 20 minutes where no problem. I met a few hikers, the trail was relatively flat and I was feeling good. Then the trail started losing elevation. I knew it was steep, but I had done worse. Besides, it was just a mile down and then a mile of flat trail next to the road. It sucked. It sucked bad. I am so glad I didn't do this in the rain. The only nice thing was meeting hikers along the way. Lots of Northbounders, and they were really friendly. One guy I met was screaming at an overlook, just to celebrate the view. I came up behind him in mid-scream and introduced myself. He was a really nice guy! I admired his free spirit and missed those days on the trail.So, the trail continued to suck. I finally made it to the bottom and figured I was almost done. Nope, 1 more mile of some flat stuff. And by flat stuff, I mean swamp and boulder hopping. I had trouble finding the trail, randomly ran into large groups of people and was generally grumpy. Not how I had envisioned ending the trail, but it is what it is.I finally came to the end, crossed the road, and hung out at pinkham notch for a bit. I wanted to yell out "I just finished the AT!!!", screaming like the hiker I just met. But a hiker's place is out on the trail, not stuck in a parking lot full of clueless tourists. I felt lost and let down. I went back to the road and tried to hitchhike back to Wildcat (1 mile or so roadwalk). People laughed at me from their passing cars. They pointed me out to their children as they sped past, like I was some freak animal in a zoo. This also sucked. Finally a nice guy stopped by and picked me up. It only took a minute to get back to my motorcycle.I changed, got back on my bike and headed out. My only celebration was stopping at Dairy Queen for a large frosty. I would make my way through Hanover and then stop for the night at The Inn at Long Trail (awesome place!). A few days and 1 hurricane later I would drive up to the Appalachian Trail Conference office in Harpers Ferry and fill out a form saying I completed the Appalachian Trail.Despite all the craziness, the rain, the heat, the cold, and the crazy people I ran into along the way, I can honestly say hiking the Appalachian Trail was one of the best experiences and defining point of my life. Things will never be the same, and I wouldn't have it any other way.