Date: 2005-09-06
From: The Birtches

To: The End of the Blazes !
Miles today: 5.2

I didn't sleep a wink! To excited. We got up around 6am and had our last breakfast in bed! While everyone else chose to make their meal at the picnic table we decided to stay cozy in our sleeping bags. It got pretty cold last night. Probably down to 40 degrees. But it felt great.We prepared most things last night. Since we can't use most of our gear on top of the mountain we will leave it behind and take smaller packs up to the top. We have never hiked without our full gear so this will be a pleasant surprise. I'm just bring water, a few snacks, and a small bottle of sparkling wine. Also, I'm carrying Bootz tevas. He has his boots repaired enough to take on the big hike today. But I'll have his tevas just in case. WE started out at 6:45. The trek up Katahdin is not that far but mostly up hill. We will gain 4,200ft in elevation by the time we reach the summit. We're in shape so the climb isn't too tough. IT does involve alot of rock climbing toward the middle portion. This is actually kind of fun because it is like playing on a jungle gym. But you have to be careful because it can be dangerous. It views are amazing. WE have a Class 1 day. That is the best day you can have to hike the mountain. It is a clear day with almost no clouds in the sky so you can see for miles. I guess putting up with the rain in the beginning was worth it if we get this as a finishing day! Just breathtaking. We reach a area near the top called Tableland where the terrain levels out for a mile or so. The views are almost 360 degrees and just so cool. Bootz and I are pumped to see the finishing sign in the distance. Mr Clean is just ahead and we call our cheers to him.We arrive at the summit at 9:50am!! WE hug the sign and cry tears of joy. WE MADE IT!!! It feels amazing and unreal all at the same time. WE take picutures of us with the sign before I pop open the wine. We stayed at the top long enough for most of our friends to arrive. The group is now 7 but we run into the other 2 as we head back down. We enjoy our celebration and the realization that we have just accomplished the biggest and hardest goal of our lives and that best of all that Bootz and I did it together!!!We head back down the mountain. We wish there was a zipline or something to take us down! The downhill is tough on our knees but we slowly get to the bottom where we meet up with Mom and Bull. Hugs and Kisses around! They celebrate with us. They brought a picnic for us and the crew. We share details of the trip to the top and hang out for an hour or so. Eventually everyone arrives and we all get a few more minutes together before this all quickly comes to an end.Oh! The boots made it to the top and back down again in one piece!! Now we'll bronze!Around 3pm we pull away from the park. Happy to be finished but in a daze that we are. We bring Mr. Clean to his hotel in Medway before heading to Portland where we stayed with Bootz aunt Carol. I wanted to get a lobster celebration dinner before leaving Maine. I wasn't sure we'd have time but we decided to stop on our way to Portland. We were lucky to find a seafood place near the highway and their special that night was lobster!! We enjoyed treating Mom and Bull to dinner since they have done so much to come up and pick us up. Yummy it was great!WE arrived at Carol's late, near 10pm I think. WE are exhausted but still going on fumes. We had hoped to stay and visit her longer but we can't because our plane leaves tomorrow at 10:20am. We'll come back though because we love Maine. We get a shower and Carol does our laundry. She came to ask if she should was it twice since the rinse water was brown. We say No, we'll be fine, at least their cleaner! Bootz and I finally pass out and sleep okay. Too much going through our minds right now. We wish all our friends who haven't finished a great end to your hike. WE are so thankful to have met and shared experiences with everyone along the trail. Words cannot express how fortunate with feel to have shared our time with each of you! Please, stay in touch. We promise to do the same!!