Date: 2005-09-06
From: Gorham

To: MAINE
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well folks, It has been awhile since I could personally write in this journal on a computer. I am in Gorham, NH; the last stop in New Hampshire with Maine just 16 miles away. We have a huge group that is here and it looks as if the trails in Maine will look very much like the trails in Georgia...as far as people go. I mustt say that most are a weeee bit hair-eeeeeee-er than back then...oh 5 1/2 months ago- 6 soon.We finished The Whites yesterday(Stilts and I). I must say that they were the hardest but most rewarding hikes of the trail. STRAIGHT UPS and DOWNS, great views, hurricane hiking with winds that knock you off your feet, The Huts and the "different" system of sleeping and eating for a week and the meeting up of many many hiker friends we have made along the way.My dad was here for a week (two weeks ago) and he got to hike in Vermont and then the big Mt. Mousilake- the first of the Whites. He did really well and we were very impressed. Says he is ready for a marathon now. Hmmmm.We stayed at Greenleaf, Galehead, Crawford Notch- Highland Center, Mizpah, Lakes of the Clouds and three nights in Groham while we hiked the last part of the Whites...the Wildcats. Mt. Washington was spectacular. We hiked it and got to go up it with my Father in a Vehicle; both days it was excellent views...you'll see. Many days of hiking we were completely socked in and soaked as storms and the Hurricane remanents blew through. Pretty crazy at times. The Whites are the ultimate hiking area with ALL the other hikers that are out hitting the trails for any number of reasons. Hello to Morgan, Justin, Matt, Sophie, Natalie, Helen, Jeneeke, all the SOBO's and anyone I missed that Stilts and I met going through El Blancos. It was cool meeting you all.We are all very sad about the Hurricane situation and it sometimes puts a shadow on what we are trying to accomplish. Many of the hikers are planning to head to New Orleans to volunteer right after they summit this month. I hope that Panaramic and any other hikers from the South areas that were hit have contacted their families and are doing well. Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, Pass Christian, and New Orleans are all very special places to me. I spent alot of times in my 20's over there when my Mother was living and working their. She actaully was on staff to open the first casino in Mississippi way back when. My Favorite Bar was their in Bay St. Louis..the Fire Dog Saloon. I did Mardi Gras 6 times and New Years in New Orleans twice. I have seen Florida State beat Florida in the Dome and sadly watch Florida Win thier National Title against FSU there as well. One of my favorite road trips home to Tulsa from Florida was with Rich when we stopped on Bourbon Street for a night of partying in which we got to Karaoke sing HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN at the CATs. I hitch-hiked back to Tallahassee from there when I was in college...another CRAZY story and adventure all together. My grandmother told me last year before she passed away, that being down there in Biloxi(with my Mother and Aunt Gerry) was one her best times in her life. She asked me to have some of her ashes put down there. One of the stuggles I have been having on this hike/trip is how to fullfill that wish for her. I truly believe that this situation has had some sort of postive affect on me because I reflected on the situation down there as an answer to my delimma. That is not where I would want to know she was at when the storm hit or now. I think that the memories we all share from visiting there, living and the fact that I got to see them all while they were there having the time of their life, will live on in my minds eye. Memma will always have a place down there, as it once was. When my Pappa finally lets go, I know that the family will find a fitting place for her ashes to be back with the earth. So it is true that even the most horrible things can be a light for something else. Good things can and will come. I am not sure if this will sound right when people read it. I did my best. It is hard to convey thoughts in words like this sometimes. Well, back to some uplifting things: Maine...oh yes, here we come. Just sorted through my Groham mail-drop, pack is now HEAVY HEAVY again. I'll eat well though. The Parks and Rec folks and friends sent me a crazy package full of goodies. I hope you all had a great conference despite me not being there. Look forward to hearing all the stories. Thanks for the stuff!Oh Katahdin....she waits out there for us just 300 miles away. What a long strange trip it has been. Boots are falling apart, it's getting colder, thoughts of what to do next float in and out of my brain and trying to figure out how to some this all up and bring the joourney to an end will be floating in my head for the next few weeks. i most likely will not make it up on my birthday but will be very close. I have decided that pushing it could negatively change the experience. If it happens, it happens. Sept. 24th is my big 35th so we'll see.Oh, speaking of birthdays, Stilts and I got to spend Sunday with Sunshine for her birthday. It was totally fantastic seeing her and everyone else. I am very fortunate to have made great friends out here that I know will last a lifetime.Other news, hikers can be treated like vagrants in the huts. Remember folks, many of us are professionals, students, retired etc... and everyone that visits places like the Huts are GUESTS and should betreated as such. We raod the Gandola at the Wildcats for two of our hikes...very cool. Also, we had WHOPPERS we hiked out for lunch up on a Moutain top...A WHOPPER of a Mtn. Wore a Red Dress two Saturdays ago in honor of the Treasure Coast H3 Red Dress Run 05. Even wore it up on Mt. Washington. These things always confuse the tourist. It is strange when it seems perfectly normal to your father though. At least Stilts was in his Kilt too. Oh, we did sleep in the infamous Dungeon at Lakes.Hello to all that are behind. Oh, I found out who the not too creative "Jimmy Buffett" person was. Remember, if Bubba would have signed my journal he certainly would not have quoted FIVE OCLOCK SOMEWHERE, he has so many other appropriate choices.I cant believe that the other Music questions never got answered. Look back if you know what I mean.On another note, I am sure it was a simple oversite or that there is a logical reason( Ihavent talk to family because I was upset about this too)but My Mother was pretty upset that family did not call her on her birthday Friday. I mean, I was on top of Mt. Washington, the second highest peek on the AT and still called her. She only in a Nursing Home and feeling forgotten anyway, what would a simple call matter? Come on. This is freaking crazy. It's a phone call. I guess driving up to see her when you're within 20 miles would have really been pushing it. Anyway, that is my banter on that. Like I said, I am sure there is an explaination.So, next town in Andover, Maine. I will try to call Deb and give her updates and such if I can.Thanks again for the mail drop treats and thoughts. I am moving on on.Much Love.