Andrew is in Manchester Center, VT. He's arrived happy and in good spirits. He enjoyed hiking a few days on his own, but is seeing a lot more people now. Today he met 15 NoBo, plus the local trail maintenance volunteers, and he only hiked a half day. He stopped to help the volunteers, as an appreciation for all they work they do on the trails, and then they bought him his dinner in town. Or I should say, his 4:30 dinner in town, because he's got a second dinner planned before bed time. (I guess a Hobbit enjoys "second breakfast", so it's fitting that hikers enjoy "second dinner"? at least when they are in town.)
Buffalo is only a day ahead of him now, and Brunch called him, to "do brunch" tomorrow before he heads out. Interesting how they can keep up with friends they are making on the trail. :-)
He said the only rain has been at night, and that makes the days hiking much nicer. He said he is feeling good, his knees are fine, and the hills in VT are much more gentle declines, so he's been picking up a comfortable and still enjoyable pace. He's lost more weight, so he's going to try adding margarine to his pack and putting it on all his food.
Andrew is updating his journal pages with his next set of pictures, so he can get the camera card in the post to me (oh my, I haven't put the labels on the last batch...I better get to it!)
Well, well, well, look who it is... (AT Mile 488 July 24th)
So I'm here in Rutland, VT posting live and in person! It's been awhile and mom has been busy with other stuff so the journal updates are getting up here when they can. It is pretty cool to look back at the month of Maine (which was really June and July) and remember what I was going through. In case you haven't been checking, I made it to my third state and Vermont has a completely different terrain. The White Mountains were beautiful and a real blessing to have the weather and views that I did. I have meet so many people in all the different towns and have ended up taking more zero days than planned, but I am enjoying where I am staying. I have about 100 miles left of Vermont before I hit Massachusetts.
These last couple of weeks have been kind of stressful because I have been running into SOOOO many people on the trail its hard to get lost in my head and just hike. I enjoy staying with people in the shelters and in town, but like having the days to myself, but I don't think that's going to happen for a while. Each day I run into more and more NOBOs and on the weekend there are a lot of people who are out doing day hikes or short sections - Kelly had to remind me last night that she and I were those people not too long ago and to appreciate the interactions as they come because you never know who you're going to run into and what impact they might have (this is why I keep her around, well not literally she wouldn't fit in my pack). I guess that's part accepting the trail as it is.
I love this journey and keeping getting signs that this is where God wants me to be right now in my life, and I am more than OK with that. The other day I was doing a 20 mile day with Buffalo and it had been raining for the last 11 miles (so over half the day) and I was starting to get really cold and hungry - but I couldn't stop to eat because then I would have been even colder - and I was completely out of energy and I prayed my little prayer "Lord, if you will pick 'em up, I'll put 'em down" and right after I finished saying that I look up and see the sign for the side trail to the shelter. I was amazed because it wasn't even a minute after I finished saying that. Pretty cool, huh?
Well I need to get going, stay posted for more journal pages and pictures.
Happy trails and southward bound (most of the time),
Andrew "Zombie"
These last couple of weeks have been kind of stressful because I have been running into SOOOO many people on the trail its hard to get lost in my head and just hike. I enjoy staying with people in the shelters and in town, but like having the days to myself, but I don't think that's going to happen for a while. Each day I run into more and more NOBOs and on the weekend there are a lot of people who are out doing day hikes or short sections - Kelly had to remind me last night that she and I were those people not too long ago and to appreciate the interactions as they come because you never know who you're going to run into and what impact they might have (this is why I keep her around, well not literally she wouldn't fit in my pack). I guess that's part accepting the trail as it is.
I love this journey and keeping getting signs that this is where God wants me to be right now in my life, and I am more than OK with that. The other day I was doing a 20 mile day with Buffalo and it had been raining for the last 11 miles (so over half the day) and I was starting to get really cold and hungry - but I couldn't stop to eat because then I would have been even colder - and I was completely out of energy and I prayed my little prayer "Lord, if you will pick 'em up, I'll put 'em down" and right after I finished saying that I look up and see the sign for the side trail to the shelter. I was amazed because it wasn't even a minute after I finished saying that. Pretty cool, huh?
Well I need to get going, stay posted for more journal pages and pictures.
Happy trails and southward bound (most of the time),
Andrew "Zombie"
Journal June 24, 2009 Trail Day 15 (Wed.)
What a LONG day!
17 miles & the first big mountain since White Cap. I hiked up & over the Bigelow Mtns. Little Bigelow -> Avery Peak -> West Bigelow -> South Horn. This is when the mountains really start! North Bounders call this their "last mountain" but there are a few between here and Mt. K. I had some good & crummy views today. Got rained on 3 times & haven't had dry feet since Monson, but it's a BLAST! I met some people who were out for a 3-day hike. They were nice & surprised that I was headed to the place they had left earlier that day. (It was ~3mpish & I had 7 miles to go). Stayed @ Horn Pond Lean-tos with Pirate, Owl (aka Brunch), Professor, +1, Clown Shoes, Aloe Bar, BK, and Snacks (twins). All people I have been following in trail journals since I started. All but Professor are spending the night in Stratton. I need to list out some pictures, but will do that in town.
Time for much needed rest!
Zombie
P.S. Horns Pond is a cool site b.c it's a sub-Alpine zone w/ a caretaker & it's a fragile environment so they compost all the privy waste & the privies don't smell. Amazing what will fascinate a thru-hiker.
Pictures:
Avery Peak from Little Bigelow Mtn. (mi. 174.2)
Avery Peak Plaque (mi. 179.4)
Horns Pond Overlook (mi. 183)
Yes, for the easy to amuse, and curious: Eco-friendly privies :-)
(mi. 182.7)
Journal June 23, 2009 Trail Day 14 (Tues.)
Two weeks & 165 miles later and LOVIN' it!
Today was 20 miles long & included a trip to the Post Office, a Ferry Ride, & a lot of walking. It was pretty flat, and according to Pirate, we made 2 mph all day! Birch stayed at Pierce Pond Lean-to, so it's back to Pirate & me. Shared the Lean-to with Calamity Jean tonight, but she's a slow go-er (~10 mi/day). If all goes well I have 17 miles tomorrow & then 5 into Stanton on Thurs. Tomorrow will be hard b/c it is our first BIG mountain in a week. This stretch has been flat. I can't wait to talk to everybody when I get to Stratton.
Getting a friend's letter was a big morale boost. Thanks!
Miss you guys a lot!
Zombie
Pictures:
Zombie w/ ferryman @ Kenebec River (mi 151.6)
Pierce Pond Stream w/ Waterfall (mi. 153.5)
Zombie @ Pierce Pond Lean-to (mi. 155.2)
Journal June 22, 2009 Trail Day 13 (Mon.)
Sometimes you're getting hard mud, other times soft mud...(yesterday's AT mile 134 )Today was a late start & slow going. I didn't have much motivation to knock out miles. It was cold & damp & the trail was slick. I think yesterday had more mud & water on the trail, but coming down from Pleasant Pond Mtn. was anything but pleasant. I was supposed to make it to Caratunk today, but lost motivation when Pirate & Birch stopped at Pleasant Pond Lean-to. (& it was 5 pm & I had 6 miles to go).
Will push hard tomorrow & hopefully be well rested & make it to Caratunk & the Kenebec Ferry while it is still running. (The Ferry stops @ 11 am) If I miss, I can always camp out until July 1 when it starts running 9-11 & 2-4. I've been getting late starts since I left Monson & it's affecting my mileage. Part of it has to do w/ hiking w/ Birch. He starts late & I like hiking w/him. O well, I'll figure it out. Off to bed & up early!! I like being on trail by 6.
Night.
Love you guys,
Zombie
July 19th - AT Mile 441.9 Hanover, NH 1/2 mile from the Vermont line.
And the rain is gone....well, except at night.... but it's much better! :-)
20.3% of the way! Making really good progress now!!!
Andrew made it to Hanover, NH, the college town of Dartmouth Sunday, in time for 11 Mass at the local Catholic church. He was glad for all his Episcopalian then Methodist up-bringing so he was comfortable with their service. He said they didn't have time to take a shower, and felt sorry for the folks that had to share a bench with he and Buffalo. They looked for a place in the back, but the church was packed... Dartmouth is a "preppy town," but maybe they are use to "thru-hikers."
Andrew's leaving Hanover Monday - just as soon as he can re-supply , replace his "new shoes" that were not as trail comfy as his original ones, and check the post office.
Next stop is Rutland, VT. He & Buffalo plan to get there in 3 days. (AT mile 488) too close for mailing anything there now.
Next mail stop will be Manchester Center, VT 05255. (AT mile 538)
est. arrival July 25th
Have a good week! Will try to get more of his journal pages up soon...
Mom/ Harriet
20.3% of the way! Making really good progress now!!!
Andrew made it to Hanover, NH, the college town of Dartmouth Sunday, in time for 11 Mass at the local Catholic church. He was glad for all his Episcopalian then Methodist up-bringing so he was comfortable with their service. He said they didn't have time to take a shower, and felt sorry for the folks that had to share a bench with he and Buffalo. They looked for a place in the back, but the church was packed... Dartmouth is a "preppy town," but maybe they are use to "thru-hikers."
Andrew's leaving Hanover Monday - just as soon as he can re-supply , replace his "new shoes" that were not as trail comfy as his original ones, and check the post office.
Next stop is Rutland, VT. He & Buffalo plan to get there in 3 days. (AT mile 488) too close for mailing anything there now.
Next mail stop will be Manchester Center, VT 05255. (AT mile 538)
est. arrival July 25th
Have a good week! Will try to get more of his journal pages up soon...
Mom/ Harriet
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