Date: 2009-08-13
From: Monson - Shaw's Lodging

To: ME - TX
Miles today: 0.0

III. Report I had previously confirmed my airline reservation and Susan said she would be my shuttle driver to the airport at 0800. I didn¢t have a very restful night, and may even have had a fever. I was up early and had all my gear packed and ready to go. Dana came in fixed her 1,2,3, or 4 breakfast. You told her what number you wanted and she then fixed bacon, sausage, home fries, eggs to order and blueberry pancakes per your number order for your first plate; and, you then could have as much more as you wanted. I was waiting for my shuttle departure time when several late breakfast arrivals entered ¢ Infomaniac and Etchasketch. They reported seeing TNT and Fluffy Bunny, even recording FB jumping from a 40 ft waterfall off the Gulf Hagas Trail. They reported how high the water was and how difficult one particular fording was, taking them over an hour to cross. They also said TNT and taken a fall and got cut. I mentioned that he had previously used almost all of his first aid kit. Then Peanut came in for a cup of coffee. Lumpy and I met her in VA at a water crossing. She was about to have her 1st animal protein in over 21 years. Susan overslept and was a very late arrival, Dana couldn¢t leave before Susan arrived, and eventually, Judy was recruited to be my shuttle driver. We left just before 0900 and made the Bangor airport easily covering some very picturesque ME backroads. The flight to Bush International was uneventful, and there I received a call from TNT that he and Fluffy had just arrived at Shaw¢s. They also mentioned how challenging the last fordings had been and how they were now concerned about my crossing them.V. POD: There are so many people to thank for this hike, I¢m going to take this opportunity to try and recognize most, if not all of them. I usually save LL for last; but will go against form and recognize her first. She has always allowed, even encouraged me to do the things I enjoy; as long as I don¢t expect her to have to join me. She never asked me to get off the trail, even with her surgery. However, as thick as I can be at times, even I recognized that I needed to be home. LL has often stated that if you would look up the word ¢stubborn¢ in the dictionary, you would probably see my picture. After all, I am a Taurus.Next on my list is Ms P&B and Sky Pilot. Her work as transcriber was certainly above and beyond the call of duty. Neither one of us ever imagined it would become the production it has become. Then, there was the matter of the air evacuation from Damascus, and then the logistics research for getting off the trail in ME.I intended to recognize most POD individuals by the state in which I was hiking. So, let me now identify those who I intended recognize when in these states:        ME                Lobster, Nurse Kim, the Grad, Harky        NH                New Boston Radar Tracking Station, a remote AF tracking site I was hoping to join as commander, only to be diverted to HQ USAF at the Pentagon        VT                Susie#3, Scola Russiya b Norwich University        MA                Hanscom AFB, Willow Pond, Tom Nield, Dr. Wade        CT        Do I know anyone in CT?        NY        ¢                        NY?¢                NJ                Bugsy, Burly Girl, Babuschka        PA                MaryB, Lt Steve, Mr T, BSA Camp Bashore        WV                Sis        MD                AF, SDIO, NASA , BSA colleagues        TN                BearClaw, Cheerleader, Doyles, Silverback, John M, Walker        NC                Silver Antelope, Susie#1        GA                Previously covered        Others                        AF, NASA, CSR/TSGC, school buds, church, scouts, neighbors, Penny, Susie#2., stargazers, b-in-laws, uncle, Louise,¢¦Trail journal ¢ how can one not include the providers of this fine website?Trail angels ¢ to the many known and unknown lovers of the AT and hikers that generously provide unexpected treats along the trailTrail maintainers, ATC ¢ to the many volunteers who maintain the 1000s of miles of trails and 100s of shelters along the AT. And for a plug here for the federal civil servants come CFC period, I¢m sure one can find the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in the many fine organizations that graciously accept your contributions. I personally vouch for the worthiness of this fine organization.