Date: 2003-09-22
From: Abol Stream Campground

To: Kathadin Stream Campground
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: broken clouds

Today is for Brendan and Tommy Healy and their families and Mrs. Hayes. Mothman was up and getting ready at 3.30.He walked out of our Campsite at 4. Snowberry and Easy Rider had also made a dash for the summit. Because the summit looked so clear yesterday evening and weather reports for Tuesday were not good, they decided to walk the 10 miles to Kathadin Stream in the pre-dawn and hopefully have enough gas in the tank to climb the mountain, all in the same day. Even thinking about it made me feel tired, so as soon as Mothman left, I turned over and slept till 7. When I awoke, there was a ¢goodbye¢ note from Mothman and breakfast of coffee and doughnuts paid for Starbuck, Wildflower and I. Packing the tent, taking photos and great coffee at the store. A very relaxing last hike today, so there was no need to rush. Starbuck¢s father arrived having driven from Virginia. He would be staying at Millinocket till his son completed the Trail. A lovely 70 + (Hungarian) who was so proud of Starbuck¢s walk. I was ready to walk before 9. At the entrance I met Dave, The Ridge Runner and Green Turtle who had been ahead of me all this time. We chatted leisurely on a beautiful sunny morning. The walk runs alongside Kathadin Stream and is a memory I will always cherish. It gives me time to really put ¢closure¢ on my long walk. I was so grateful to God and so many people to have made it so far. The support, prayers and well wishes of friends had kept me going when things were tough. Nick and John who made the trip and knows more than anyone else what the Trail entails. I stopped at Niagara Falls for lunch. 3.6 miles to go. Green Turtle had gone ahead. His girl friend was meeting him at Baxter Park. Many people, who were ¢day hiking¢ were stopping and asking the same questions. They are really ¢gob smacked¢ with the Thru-Hikers. I arrived at the Campground around 2 and was greeted by cheering, clapping and shouts of ¢Tipperary¢. Commander in Chief and her friends were leading the racket. She had summitted that very day and was celebrating in style with her back up team. They had all sorts of ¢goodies¢ and were more than willing to share these with hungry hikers. Soon Constant Motion arrived. She was over the moon. Champagne, beer and soda flowed freely. Seabees and Jim came down the mountain to a mighty reception. It was great to be here and welcome all my friends. I then signed in with Bob Chase, the Park Ranger and paid my dues. Back to the picnic tables where the party was in full swing. Sonic, Guam, Fly by Night and Smoothie arrived. The latter two had got engaged at the summit. There was even more celebration. Mothman, Snowberry and Easy Rider did not get down till after 5. They looked exhausted but were so happy that it didn¢t matter. There would be a big party in Millinocket tonight. They all wanted me to go, but it was their night. I still had a mountain to climb. Leap Year and Medicine Man arrived. Leap Year and I cooked our usual fare and enjoyed the peace and tranquility of the Campground. Starbuck and LeapYear would climb in the morning, weather permitting. I was waiting till Wednesday   Medicine Man was going to climb in the early morning (dark) and watch the Sunrise on Kathadin. It was hoping for the impossible with the weather reports we were getting. I was glad to have a ¢rest day¢ to enjoy and get ready for one last effort.