Date: 2010-09-03
From: GULL pond Lodge

To: Shaws Monson Maine
Miles today: 109.5

The hiking has taken on a less than demanding pace. Not that it has been easy by no measure but the tretcherous conditions have subsided. The effort required to reach the summit of some of these mountains has seemed like a full days work, multiple times every single day. Not the hand over hand variety but the head down nose to the grindstone kind of climb. The gods have determined that Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Conn and Mass were not enough for intense heat and humidity that a continuation up into the northern reaches of Maine would continue to be on the menu. It has been in the 90"s all week and the expected reliable availabilty of water has come up very short. All the springs have dried up and the best chance for water resupply has been ponds and lakes. The low lying areas have had much sign of beaver so the pond water and resulting streams are not my ideal places to refill. At 90 degrees and with many good hard sweaty climbs it forces one to seek hydration whereever possible. I have felt once again the forces of nature as the heat and humidity suck every ounce of energy out of me. Unlike in Massachusetts my mind is able to keep this temporary inconvenience at bay. It is not affecting me as it did earlier on. Physically it drains every bit of energy from me but mentally I am able to keep it in perspective. Last night I camped along side a nice flowing rocky river. For the past week I have been seeking out great camping spots. Maine has been wonderful for that. When I first met Switchback back in Georgia, she would often mention her home state of Maine. She said that it was great technical hiking and the best trails were there. Most hikers carry some hometown prejudices and I expected hers to be just that. Now that i am here and have submersed myself deep within the Maine wilderness I say witout any doubt what so ever that Maine is an awesome hikers paridise. It has it all. I heard a lot of regional bravado shit over the past 2000 miles but if my validation makes any differance I say Maine is a hikers State and one of the best. I am now in position to see the end. Will I arrive on the summit of Katahdin on the 10,11 or 12th. Its that close. I have less than a week before I finish. Without jeperdizing myself and or allowing too much confidence to cloud my continuation to the finish I dare to say that i have been experiencing that warm fuzzy feeling of success. On the basic level, I am tired and I am sore. I am tired of being out here for the past 6 months and I can't wait for this to be over so I can go home. My feet are sore at the end of each day. My knees have been telling me that they are no longer interested in seeing this thing to the end and my mind is asking for just a little more time. The knees will heal as will the feet. The mind has been constant and present observer, watching on the outside just as it has been conducting business within throughout this entire journey. A not so silent observer.It has expressed itself and it's told of the journey that has gone by day after day, week after week, mile after mile. It only speaks to me. Its been lonely. Its been physically demanding. Its been a journey through and into a world that is mostly unexplainable. The journey is filled with sound and color, emotion, pride, fear and so much more. Expressing the true essence within this accomplishment of me as a thru hiker is beyond my abilities. Its a life in itself. The object is clear but the execution is complex.I am now seeing the rest of the trail ahead as the ending of a life that I will cherish forever. Its the end that I desire so badly right now. Still its the end of a life that has been unique and special on many levels. Everyone that has been a part of this journey through the guest book, can food drive, trail angels, rides into town and the many other ways that you have entered my life as I have traveled from Georgia to Maine on this awesome journey are very much appreciated. Your presence has made this pilgrimage possible. THANK YOU. My journey through the 100 mile wilderness begins on Sunday. I doubt that I will be able to post an entry. I still need to fly into and complete 68 miles in the Smokie Mountains. I will update as time and service will allow. I expect to be done and on my way to Fairbanks Alaska by September 21st. Until then still striding STRIDER