Date: 2023-09-26
Miles today: 0.0

Mood: °Moose Jaw and I woke up early to see Stogie off. He was flying back home today, and we wanted to make sure that we both got one final hug!! We are so extremely proud of how much Stogie has overcome in this hike, and we have made an amazing life-long friend. We wish him the best of luck in all that he does! He¢s an amazing person with the biggest heart! We love Stogie to death. I decided to wash our trail clothes at the hotel before we decided to checkout. While our clothes were in the dryer, we drove to Dunkin for breakfast in the gas station, because that¢s all that was open in the town. I didn¢t care! I love gas stations! They have so many goodies!! It did feel weird not dropping a lot of money on junk snacks to pack away for on trail. Moose agreed, and it just made us chuckle to ourselves. When we got back to the hotel, I went to change the laundry. And as I was walking to the elevator, Lantana walked out!!!! We haven¢t seen him since North Carolina, I think! We were so freaking happy to see him!! We couldn¢t believe our eyes! Moose Jaw almost didn¢t recognize him, because Lantana lost 90 lbs while on trail! He was really happy about that, so we congratulated him!! He was so glad to see us. Apparently, he¢s been having a rough time on trail (he still has to do the 100 mile wilderness), but we were able to encourage him and his journey. He has so many great things to see in the 100 mile wilderness, so we know that he¢ll enjoy himself. We just were so shocked and happy to see Lantana. We hope that he takes care of himself, and enjoys this last bit of trail!Unfortunately, it¢s pretty common that near the end of trail, hikers will push really hard to just finish the trail, because they are over it. It¢s sad that hikers can¢t enjoy that last stretch of trail, and I know this year has been ridiculously challenging due to the unsavory weather, but my wish is that thru-hikers end on a good note rather than a bad one. Around 10, we drove to Bar Harbor. On the ride there, I cried. I actually missed hiking, and I didn¢t know what to expect now. What happens after you accomplish a life-long goal? I know how I have changed, and in some ways, maybe I have changed in ways that I won¢t realize until further down the road. It hit me, that people who are not thru-hikers, may never understand what I went through. It¢s not something easily explained. I am just so grateful that I did this with my husband. I couldn¢t have asked for a better life partner and hiking buddy. Moose Jaw, I love you so much! Thank you for everything! We made it to Bar Harbor and ate a delicious lunch and ice cream!! I have realized that my pants are too small, and that my legs have grown, and also, I¢m so inflexible from trail that I can¢t smell my own feet! HA!! Tomorrow we are going whale watching (UPDATE: we saw 9 humpback whales!!), and hanging out together (the four of us). I¢m so excited!!! We will see how life looks from here on. All I know, is that I will never forget this journey. It was absolutely life-changing. And I hope that people live out their dreams. Life is short, and we get caught up in the day to day. Just make sure to live, no matter what your life looks like. And in everything, be grateful. ¢¤