Date: 2007-07-04
From: Stratton, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 265.0
Weather: broken clouds

I'm in Maine! It feels like it has taken absolutely forever to get here, but what a trip it's been. There have been soooo many emotional ups and downs along the way. Upon crossing the border from Hew Hampshire into Maine, there was a bright blue wooden sign exclaiming, "Welcome to Maine! The Way Life Should Be!" It was a HUGE moment for me to finally cross my last state line. There would be no more states after this one.   After my last entry, I headed into the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The Whites are notorious for being some of the biggest, toughest climbs of the entire trail. After taking part in National Hike Naked Day together, Turbo, Hatchet Jack, and I started into the Whites. Things started well, but I was soon experiencing the hardest day on the trail I've had so far. I couldn't keep up with Hatchet and Turbo, and they eventually left me. I told them I would meet up with them at the next shelter, but after hiking slower and slower throughout the day, I realized I wouldn't be able to catch them. I was between shleters in the White Mountains, it was getting dark, and it was starting to rain. It was tough to be alone again after catching up with my hiking friends. The trip reached a low point when with no other options, I spent a rainy night trying to keep dry inside a road side privy at a White Mountain gap. I managed to get some cell phone reception from the gap and told Nita about my day. Nita is awesome. I love her so much. The next time I was able to get cell phone reception, 5 or so days later, When I turned on my phone I had 15 messages on my voice mail telling me to be strong. To everyone who called, or left a message on my journal, THANK YOU! You have no idea how much it helped.   The Whites were wonderful and awful at the same time. I hiked through the Whites without seeing another North bounder. The views were fantastic, but Mentally, I was drained and in need of a day in town. I had two 20+ mile days in the Whites just to get out. When I reached Gorham, NH, I walked into the hostel there and saw two pairs of shoes I recognized! I had caught Hatchet and Turbo.   Since leaving NH and entering Maine with my friends, things have been going much better. We know just how close we are now. From certain high peaks we've crossed recently, we have actually been able to catch glimpses of Mount Katahdin 200 miles away.   I am currently in Stratton, Maine, and have about 180 miles left to go. The three of us are hoping to summit Katahdin on July, 14th. We will have to keep up a pace of 18 miles a day to reach our goal, but it shouldn't be hard. After 2000 miles, 18 is a short day. Since entering Maine, I've seen a fox, several loons, and two Moose! That was a sight! A big Moose and her calf trotted down the trail right in front of us. With only 10 days of hiking left, a weight seems to have been lifted off of my shoulders. The days seem shorter, and the climbs not so steep. My dad and my good friend Sean O are planning on meeting me at Katahdin on the 14th! It will be a fantastic day to get to summit Katahdin with my friends and family. The very next day after K, I'll be back in the arms of my fiance!   Thank you to everyone for all of the encouragement along the way! Those I met in the first few weeks, to those I've meet in the last few hundred miles of the trail, you've all helped me get this far. Socrates, Chaco! Great to hear from you! I had an awesome time with you guys and will have great memmories of our time together. Betsy and family, Mac N' Cheese, Judge Caribou, you guys are better than great! I look forward to talking to you all soon and showing you photos from the trip!   I hope to be able to update my journal at least once more between here and Katahdin. Talk to you all soon!