Date: 2015-10-17
From: camp spot at mile 241.5

To: East B Hill Rd
Miles today: 15.4

There is some funny white stuff on the ground this morning even in the dark, we can see it. We made some oatmeal in the tent, and broke camp. It was dark when we started walking, and the headlamps were a great help. The trail was easy to follow, with the fresh snow, it was still warm on the trail, so for the most part it was good. Still lots of rocks and roots that were now wet. We climbed up to our last big mountain, Old Blue. It was very wet and white up there, and of course no view... We managed to find the trail back into the woods with not much discussion and headed to the downhill. The weather was cool, but not cold. We got to the road crossing, and stopped for a break, we thought we might have to ford a river, and we were not looking forward to that. Lucky us AGAIN, the river was a rock "hop". We certainly do not hop over the rocks, but we were able to slowly step from rock to rock and complete a dry crossing!! We thought if we could get to the shelter before 2pm, we would be able to finish our hike TODAY!!! We knew we had a rough three miles ahead, but it was only 10:00 am now, and even if it took us 3 hours, we were going to be fine!! The first uphill was way easier than I thought it would be... But I had lost sight of Weirman... He had fallen and was okay, but a bit unnerved. We got to the top, and headed down. This downhill wasn't so bad...... until..... it got really bad really fast..... I was getting really frustrated and angry.. The rocks were huge, and there was rebar here and there. Rocks and rebar rocks and rebar.......We FINALLY reached the river at the bottom. There was a super nice campsite here with a picnic table. Weirman suggested that we stop for lunch, it was almost noon. I said I wanted to push on to the shelter which was only a mile and a half away. MY MISTAKE We should have stopped to refuel. I ran out of energy and started to cry about half way up the hill. The climb was never ending to me. No breaks, just up up up... This was the first time in a long time, I let the trail get to me. We made it to the shelter around 1:15, and sat down to eat lunch. I called my sisters to let them know we were going to make it out today. They were still driving, and we told them to expect us around six. That food was the best thing.....we signed the shelter register, and headed out for our last 6 miles!!!! The first mile was slow, it was snowing again!!! But from there, we started to walk faster and faster..... It looked like were we going to get done around 4 pm.... I texted my sisters, and they said to take our time, they were still quite a few miles away. We met two young NOBO's, and visited with them for a long time.. Then we continued through the brightly colored forest. I was hoping the Peg and Susan would be able to meet us in the woods..... I thought i heard voices.... then I saw Peg's hat and dropped my poles, and screamed so loudly!!!! There they were, my two sisters!!!!!! We had done it...... We had walked the entire Appalachian Trail!!!! It wasn't a thru hike, but we were able to complete the journey in three sections. Two 900 mile ones, and this last one of 374 miles or so..We sure would like to thank so MANY people for making this dream of ours become a reality........We cracked open a beer, and got in Pegs car for the ride to The Cabin. They told us the pizza place was closed because the owner had surgery. That was a huge bummer. We were so looking forward to that!