Date: 2014-08-08
From: Rainbow Lake Campsite

To: The Birches, Baxter SP
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: moderate rain

I was up early. I gathered some water, made an instant breakfast shake, packed up the tent. Eventually I could hear the rustling around of other hikers and the unzipping of tents, but I was loaded up and on the trail before most of the others had a chance to pick the sleep out of their eyes. I knew that my mom and daughter were at the airport in North Carolina and very soon I would see them in Baxter State Park. It took me over 5 months to get here, it will take them a few hours. The weather was warm, hot for a northern Maine day actually. Clouds were darkening and the threat of thunderstorms was eminent. My mind however wandered. The happy/sad back and forth emotions hit a peak. I would be elated one minute and slightly depressed the next. A pendulum of thoughts. Remembering watching my daughter ride away in her moms white minivan at Amachola Falls in Georgia. Not one single AT thru-hike mile under my belt. Having no clue what laid before me. The views, the terrain, the hostels. I had no idea what cellulitis was. I didn¢t know, Sunset, Emerald, Tree, Mudderfingers, or Handsome Dan. The whole day was like the trail was flashing before my eyes. The good, the bad, the grind, all of it. It¢s ending. It¢s over. My mind couldn¢t compute this. It was trying, but it couldn¢t.Abol Bridge is the southern entrance to Baxter State Park, and it was also the best view of Katahdin. I stood on the wooden bridge, leaned my arms and elbows on the guard rail and stared. With the sun out and blue skies the majestic mountain, now only 5 miles away was a beautiful as ever. This time tomorrow I will be on top of that sucker, kissing the famous wooden sign. I signed the register at the kiosk entering the park and looked at the familiar trail names of hikers who are in front of me and made it. It all made me smile.The next few miles inside the park heading to the campground where I am to meet up with my family was pleasant and scenic. I hiked along the Penobscot River and watched group after group of white water rafters go by and got an occasional wave from the riders. A quick and heavy thunderstorm came crashing in right as I was fording Nesowadnehunk Stream. This ford by the way might have been the toughest of the whole trail. The storm didn¢t last too long and the sun came back out right as I hit one of the last views at Tow Dam at Little Niagara Falls. The small spur trail was only a few feet off the trail. I took my shoes off and walked into the knee high flowing stream. The cool water felt good on my feet. I looked north and gazed at another view of Katahdin. This time it hit me. I broke down and cried. I stood in the middle of the water thanking God of not only the beauty surrounding me, but of the whole experience and giving me the desire to hike the Appalachian Trail. I was so happy I was there it was completely overwhelming. I entered the campground right at 4. I had visions of my daughter already there waiting for me as I walked out of the woods for the last time. When I arrived at the open area of picnic tables I hear my name. ¢Figgy!¢ A group of about 8 thru-hikers, that I have gotten to know over the last few months were already there enjoying a beer or 2, and relaxing before the final climb tomorrow. Hugs and fist pumps around, but realized my family was nowhere to be found. I hate not having my phone working. In the ranger station where I sign my name for the last time on the register I realized they haven¢t checked in yet. That kinda bothered me because I haven¢t spoken to anyone in several days and there is NO service at all in this state park. I was the 54th hiker to register for a thru-hike back in Georgia. At Harper¢s Ferry I was #129 to make it to the halfway point. In Baxter I¢m #173 to complete a 2014 thru-hike. I took several minutes to look at the register to see who I knew that made it before me. I saw Shaggy-Moe¢s name as #2, who I met in Hot Springs. Road Runner, the German girl I met at Standing Bear Farm Hostel right after the Smoky¢s. There was Emerald, Spaghetti, Papa Squatz, and Nails. Moxie, and Ibex, the 2 girls at Mountain Crossings that I met 3 days in. They made it! What a great feeling to see these guys on the register. Even though they finished days and even weeks before me, I felt like I was there with them. The birches campsite is for thru-hikers only. I headed to over to set up camp. Several people were already there. Goat, Gandalf, Kamikaze, among others. A van pulled up, stopped and a family of 3 came out of the car. The lady looked at us and asked a silly question. ¢You guys hungry?¢ Within minutes bar-b-q chicken, watermelon, salad, Coca-Cola, and even a couple bags of cheese balls were now on our picnic table! The biggest smiles were on all of our faces as we gorged on the feast. This wonderful family who is local, comes to the Birches about once a week and feeds us thru-hikers. Funny thing is not a one of them hikes. They just love to help. Trail angels from heaven! I see a familiar green Ford F-150 come barreling down the dirt road. Yay! They made it. I try to flag them down with my hands, chicken leg in one, Dr. Pepper in the other. Somehow they see me and stopped. My daughter came out of the truck and I tackle hug her to the ground. They were in awe of my crazy beard and sickly food-starved body. I introduce them all to my hiker family as I grabbed my brothers stuff out of the truck. He was staying and camping overnight with his massive 4 person tent. I¢m dragging him with me the last 5.2 miles to the final summit in the morning. Someone is coming with me that¢s for sure.It was getting late and dark. Most of us were getting up around 4 or 5 to begin our climb in the morning, so it was bed time. I hugged my parents and daughter again, and they drove off to Millinocket to stay in a plush hotel until I see them again the following afternoon as a newly crowned, official Thru-hiker. My brother was kinda shocked that the night before the final summit people were going to bed early. Hey, it¢s hiker midnight. Time to sleep!I didn¢t sleep right away, but I was exhausted and mentally drained. Tomorrow is a big day. A day I have dreamed about for a long time. I can¢t wait!