Date: 2004-08-07
From: CT and Beyond

To: CT and Beyond
Miles today: 0.0

Slimer (Jorma) called from Bear Mountain State Park / Fort Montgomery NY 8-7-04 @ 12:55 pmI left Culvers Gap / Branchville NJ on 8-3-04 @ 11:00 am. Arrived here Fort Montgomery NY 12:55 am on 8-7-04. I have knocked out 79.9 miles on this leg. Total miles hiked to date 1,387.3 - 773 miles left to go. If I have the correct distance, I've heard three different stories on the distance from Springer Mtn. GA to Katahdin Maine. 2,160 - 2,173 - and 2,174 miles. At this point I'm going with the 2,160 miles, this way I'll get there faster.Had to sleep under the stars last night. This is like Russian Roulette hiking with no tent, gambling the weather will be fair as I sleep on the ground un-protected from the elements. But I know the day is coming soon when I will be caught in a cold all night down-pour of rain with no tent. What one will sacrifice to shed weight out of the back-pack.Saw several bears and one porcupine on this last leg. Met the porcupine at a spring late one evening getting water, he let me pass without incident. Those are ugly looking thing's, reminded me of Junior at the hanger.Trail is still rough, Straight up and down, sometimes it's hand over hand pulling yourself up. Rocks are getting somewhat better. Those PA rocks went for 80 miles.Met some more south bounders coming down from Katahdin the other day. Real nice guys. They were, "Dances With Wolves" "Cobalt" and "Pisses In The Wind". sat and talked with them a while. Cobalt asks me my name, Slimer I tell him. He said hummm where have I heard that name ? Oh I know he said. We were at the "Bird Cage Hostel" in Dalton MA, Rob Bird the owner told us to be on the look-out for you and Gather down the trail. Said he had been following your journal and wants to meet you. Cobalt's exact words were, "Rob Bird said I have just got to meet those two characters".Well Mr. Rob Bird I'm headed your way, if time permits I will drop in and say hello.Seem's we have a stalker on the loose !Back down the trail in Vernon NJ. I was hitching into town. This girl stops and picks me up ( to protect the innocent I will not mention her name). This ole gal asked me if I knew a certain hiker, I say yes. She says if you see him tell him I have a crush on him, I say ok. I'm so glad it was a short ride into town, because I have never wanted out of a car so bad in my life.We get to the Hostel in Vernon NJ, I thank her for the ride and run. At this point I won't name all the hikers in the Hostel. Let's just call the poor hiker that's being stalked the "Fugitive". I go in the Hostel and the "Fugitive" is peeking around the corner all crouched and ready to sprint. The "Fugitive" said that woman has lost her mind.The Reverend Yukon Jack and I go to dinner that night. While sitting at the table eating the "Stalker" comes in looking for the "Fugitive". Comes up to me and thinks I'm him ! I finally convince her I'm not him. The "Stalker" asks if we know where he's at ? Now ole Yukon Jack had his head bent down reading something, he replies without looking up " "Fugitive" is out running some errands". The "Stalker" seem's satisfied with the answer and leaves us in peace.Ole Reverend Yukon Jack lift's his head up with a twinkle in his eye and said "that boy owes me big time" As we knew all along where the "Fugitive" was hiding out."We get back to the Hostel and post a sentry to warn the "Fugitive" if the "Stalker" show's up, and she did several times.The next morning we all slink out of the Hostel and head north looking over our shoulder's. The "Stalker" reminded me of the professional Wrestler "The Raging Cajun"Made it into NY, another state put behind me. Slept under the star's last night. Made it to Bear Mountain State Park / Fort Montgomery NY. Crowded with people. Hot Dog stand there, buy 4 and destroy them like a savage.get to phone to call home, mis-placed my phone card. Called home collect, spoke to dad. he gives me the card #, I hang up and call back.All ok at home. Freckles still holding her own. Dad asks me how I'm doing ? I say ok physically, but getting down mentally pretty bad. Dad tell's me I'm doing something most people only get to dream of. I say yeah, let them get out here and see what's it's like.Dad read's off messages from my guest book people have wrote, that helped. Then he read off one sent to Gather, it was a poem. It was quite moving to one on the trail as I am, hit home hard. Dad said he was going to frame it.Talked to mom a while. She brought me up to speed on the world news. I have almost give up on catching Gather. Every time I get close he seems to sense it and scoots on up the trail further from me. Dad said that's not the case, Adam (Gather) is more consistent. he said I was like a rabbit sometimes, running short distances real fast then stopping. dad tell's me I need to pace myself or I will end up burning myself out. While I'm talking on the phone "Tarsan" walk's by me.Gotta go now, hitting the trail heading north........Only 773 miles to go .................I have my own journal now, mom and dad will keep posting to this one until mine is caught up.http://www.trailjournals.com/Slimer/