THE END OF A WONDERFUL HIKE - October 1, 2009

It rained most of the night - it is cold - we got up early - ate breakfast and drive to Baxter State Park - at the gate the ranger told us it is a level 3 and some trails are closed due to ice and we need to be careful. On the way to the base of mountain a moose was running in front of us - so we saw a live moose! It was 7:30 when we started a final climb. Mt Katahdin reaches above tree level and it was a level 4 - ice and snow coming down - the trail is big boulders and more big boulders.

We made it safely.

Thanks you Doug and Roger for coming to get us and the support.

Thanks to all of our supporters and cheerleaders - what a wonderful team!

Had fun - The End

What a night!!!!!

Very little sleep for me - but Patches can sleep thru anything. There was a big black bear in the trash cans - the trash can was about 20 ft from our tent spot - it would lift the trash can up and throw it - it tore off the sink on outside of bathroom - but I made it thru the night. Both of us is excited - we can see some of Mt Katahdin - but the clouds and rain is also there.

The 10 miles to the base was easy miles - very pretty - hiked moose of the day next to rivers, waterfalls and brooks. We were early at Baxter Park at the base of the mountain. We registered with the ranger to summit it tomorrow morning.

Patches is # 449

Crazy Lady is #450

to complete the AT this year "2009"

Patches Dad and Uncle arrived around 3 to pick up up and take us to Millinootet - a bed is waiting - we are staying at the Appalachian Trail Lodge - run by thru hikers themselves - very nice people.

Mt Katahdin

There she is - what a beauty - she is high - she is wide - she has clouds all over, around and on top - Her name is Mt Katahdin and she is calling our names. We are camping 10 miles from her base - we have a surge - we have hunted/looked for her for 2178 miles - she was not lost - we just thought so - she was just waiting for us.

Our plan is to climb her Oct 1, 2009 - we are camping at Abol Camp Ground - had a shower - it was good - 14 days with outout a shower - everything in my tent stinks - we had rain last night - buckets full and some today. The sun is shining and I can see the snow right now - we had our beauty shower for Mt Katahdin. It is wonderful to see the mountain - we just stood and viewed - each with our own thoughts - it is a happy/sad mix.

I saw a plane that could land on water today - it landed on the lake in front of me. We saw Moose today - but the Moose did not see us - it was dead. Hunting season started - you pay $13 for lottery and hope they draw your name - there is a limit to the amount of moose that can be hunted each year in ME. The moose we saw weighed 831 lbs - big and ugly. The camp we stayed in is also the weight station for moose and the land belongs to a paper company. The logging trucks pass by the whole time - the trucks look over loaded to me. If we have lost any weight it was the last 10 days - we ran out of our junk candy and really missed that surge.

Tomorrow we well be to the last shelter - the last 10 miles from here - we will need to register to stay there and summit the mountain - hope the weather holds up.

Have fun - we are going to enjoy the last 2 days of our trip - tomorrow will be day 200!

What a wet night and morning - rained most of night - our tents are wet - lucky our tents stayed dry on inside. Black Bird, Bark and Beary's tents got wet inside - sleeping bags wet - my sleeping bag is dry. The sun came out later today - not bad day at all - I am ready to get warm again (ha,ha). Saw a few day hikers today and saw a ranger - met an older man that climbed Katahdin 2 yrs ago on his 70th birthday - in ME that is what you do. Patches is craving (believe it or note) oats - the real kind - and romaine (oriental kind) with peanut butter. I am craving a nice roasted leg of lamb or a nice lamb chop or steak over the fire....we will see. If all go wells I can be back at work in 1 week - our bodies are holding up much better than our gear. Both our pants is tearing loose after I have fixed them a few times - boots lock horrible and back packs needs lots of love and tender care - our bodies feels good.

The fall is so pretty - after last nights rain the trail is very wet and slippery. Patches and Black bird slipped and fell. I have slipped a few times but did not hit the ground - 28.1 miles to finish - I hope nothing happens. Tomorrow night we might even get a shower - I sure hope so.

Have fun - we still have fun but know real life with reality is close.........

Had a peaceful night - packed up fast this morning - looks like rain - started to drizzle just before we reached our camp site just before 3 pm- we did 14.5 miles - pitched tents fast and put on rain gear to stay dry - nibbled on snacks - drank tea to stay warm - again early to bed - still drizzling on and off. Last night while we were cooking on our fire, some of the trail maintainers walked by to look for fallen trees over the trail to the water - they were very friendly and nice - did not say a word about our fire - this morning when we pass the rest of the maintenance group, the nice lady that gave us the bananas told us that we were not allowed to make a fire. Patches apologized, because we really did not know. Well apparently in ME the rule is only fires in designated camp sites - now we know - Thank You! We have 40.8 miles left until the top of Katahdin.

Have fun we do!!!!

Today was the most level flat trail we have done so far - 16 miles in 6 1/2 hrs. Are we getting good? Last night was cold - like in real cold. Black Bird and another hiker told us that the water was frozen this morning outside their tents - needless to say I was cold the whole night - had everything on I could find in by back pack and that is a lot - I was grateful that I had it all. Today was such a wonderful pretty trail day - the fallen leaves - all the fall colors - so deep. I just wish I could capture all of it on pictures - they are sure in my mind. Patches was getting worried that he did not have enough snacks for 4 more days - we wanted to got to this camp store 6 miles away - they will pick you up but we could not get an answer - lucky at the road there were a lot of MATC (trail maintainers) - they gave him some snacks - apples and bananas - the bananas were so delicious.

Tonight is the 1st night since we enter ME that the 2 of us camp alone - it was nice - we had a nice fire and cooked on it (low on alcohol to cook with) and it was a perfect night for fire cooking - the moon was a perfect 1/2 - but it looks like rain clouds moving in - I sure hope not.

Well.....all of you must have fun - we sure do!!!!!

It is 6pm - I am in my tent - don't need my headlight yet - I am ice cole - my lips are purple - my feet our frozen - I am just cold - lucky it is not raining - just cold. The last 2 day s was hard hiking - it was cold and lots of ups, downs and windy. According to the book White Cap Mt was the 1st climb to Katahdin. The last 2 nights we had a little rain - just enough to wet the dry ground/dirt. Patches feels better and does not hear his heart beating in his ear anymore. The leaves are dropping fast - that causes the trail to be slippery with out rain. I noticed yesterday that is already fall - the leaves here are very pretty - such deep yellow, red, orange - ME is cold - 5 more days to hike before we climb Mt Katahdin. Berry, Bark, Many Names and Notty just came to the shelter - we thought they were ahead of us. Just goes to show that the turtle finishes before the hare - ha,ha - 96% done.

We saw Katahdin today on the west side of White Chip Mt - just a steep peek - does not matter how you look at it - we will climb it.

Have fun we do!!!!!

I got up early - washed my hair - it was a nice warm night and day today - looks like rain - but we made it to camp with out rain. Today is the first day we had to take our boots off to get over the Big Wilson Stream (ME). Both of us made it fine - our back packs still wight heavy - I think we ate about 2 lbs out of each back pack.

Tonight is our 2nd night at a shelter(Lean to) in ME. This part of the wilderness is very dry and most shelter streams are dry - tomorrow we will need to carry extra water - a south bounder told us that every shelter for about 10 miles has no water - Long Pond Stream Lean To - we have 99.4 miles left - under 100 miles. Patches has an ear ache - I hope all the old time remedies will help - hopeful after a early night he will be better tomorrow.

Have fun we do.......(some mountains to climb tomorrow)

Our first night in the 100 miles wilderness. Well it does not make much sense - "Welcome to the 100 mile wilderness" - does that mean we finished with the 2100 miles of wilderness. We have 110 miles left to the top of Mt Katahdin.

Today was a nice hike - I did 6.7 miles in 2 1/2 hrs - we were at the road at 11am - the fall colors are so pretty in this part of Maine - there are lots of Red Oaks - all the little critters are busy collecting goodies/pine cones for winter - at night you hear all this little scratching outside the tent. It took us about 10 minutes to hitch a ride into town - a friendly nice guy stopped with his pick up - he thru hiked in 2000 and since then for the last 9 yrs he comes to this area and does trail magic - he waited in town until we were finished and brought us back out to the trail head. On the way back to the trail head he said he wanted to play and sing a song for us to send us on to our last 114 miles - he played country road by John Denver - the three of us just went quite in our thoughts - SAD and HAPPY - SAD that our journey is almost over - HAPPY that our journey is almost over.

He gave Patches a bottle of whiskey - how lucky can he be......Our mail drop with our re-supply weighed 50 lbs between the three of us - my pack definitely weighs close to 5 lbs if not more - We forgot how 9 days of food felt - I am glad that Patches managed to fix my back pack. Patches shoes busted open - we are hoping super glue will hold it.

Enjoy life we do.........

Katahdin Mountain - 2176.2 - THE FINISH

Received word today that Patches and Crazy Lady has finished their hike today - Oct 1 - the last miles of their long journey.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!

Moxie Bald Mt - 2043.8 miles

Today we did 15.5 miles - we are about 6-7 miles from Monson, ME - the town just before the 100 miles of wilderness. We camped next to one of the rivers that we are suppose to ford - lucky not to deep and we managed to keep our boots on - Patches made a few steps over rocks in the first river. We went up Moxie Bald Mt - very nice ledges and nice views - perfect day - no wind - lots of sun - I even took off my long sleeve shirt - most of the hike today was next to a river with lots of small ups and downs - I was at camp just after 4 - we cooked 2 dinners just because we can (we carry it so we eat it). At the first river that we ford there was nice trial magic - apples and soda - this is also were we camped. Tomorrow morning we have to leave early for town to pick up our food box and try to fix both back packs - we hope to find a place to eat good lunch before we leave into the wilderness.

We plan to be at the foot (base) of Katahdin Mt on Sept 30. Plan to summit the Mt and end our long journey on Oct 1st - depends on the weather. We will be home soon - early Oct.

Have fun - we plan to enjoy our last 9 days on the trail. we will let all of you know when we Summit.

Pleasant Pond Mt - 2032.0 miles

Nice easy hike up and over Pleasant Pond Mt - nice view back to Bigelow and Sugar Loaf Mt - a very nice hike day - cool but not cold - very little to no wind - perfect. We were at came by 3:30 - set up tents - washed some socks - Patches and Crazy Lady played rummy - he won - we really enjoy our camp time - so peaceful - had a very nice fire. Most of the hikers are doing big miles to get to the end - we want to remember ME like all the other states - tent with Black bird - Ox sleep in the shelter. Black Bird showed Patches how to throw bear line and bear bag like PCT hikers.

Holly Brook - 2027.7 miles

The sunrise over East Carry Pond was so beautiful - we ate breakfast with a woodpecker that was looking for it's breakfast in a dead pine tree.

The trail to Kennebec River was full of roots and small rocks - lots of waterfalls - we hiked next to creek/river that runs into Kennebec. The wind was blowing terrible at Pierce Pond Lean-to - we had to go over pond wall that was wet logs and rocks with the high wind speed that could blow us over (It was like walking in a Pee at Harbor with strong wind) - very cold wind. The ferry is a 3 man canoe at Kennebec River - runs only 9-11am and 2-4 pm - we were there at 1 pm and waited for it with Cloud walker - Patches row when he and Cloud walker went on - I row with the ferry runner when Black Bird and myself went over (plus/minus 35 mile per hour wind from the front) - the river was not very high but can change with out warning due to electric power plants running water into the river. We hiked 3 plus/minus more miles to Holly Brook where we camped with Black Bird. BB and Patches built a fire ring in a dry creek out of river rocks - it was cold but nice and warm and cozy in my tent.

West Carry Pond Lean-to - 2011.0 miles

We did 16.5 miles to make up some miles from the day before - easy hike - I managed 2 plus miles a hour - Patches is back to his 3 miles an hour - it is cold - hiked mostly with long sleeves today - had some drizzle rain - we were at a shelter when most of the rain hit - the wind blew very hard and cold.

At West Carry Pond Lean-to it was very had to get water from the pond - the wind was blowing that hard - we went a little further than we had planned - due to poor water and no camping.

Stafford Notch Campsite - 1998.8 miles

We ate at the Diner - finished packing and headed for the trail again - standing and talking with Bill and Bill when a pick up stopped and gave us a ride to the trail head. We did 10 miles - Horn Mt and Bigelow Mt was tough.

Patches was at camp early - the last few days he has hiked along and is on the run. We camped at Safford Notch Campsite - one of the pretty sites on the trail. Many, Names, Notty & Cloudwalker joined us - this is the last of the severe climbs

Stratton, ME - 1988.4 miles

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MYSELF (CRAZY LADY)

Got up early and left camp by 8 am - the hill mt down is very steep and takes time. The first vehicle that passed by when we started hitch hiking was a pick up truck - stopped and picked us up - the 3 of us and another hiker that had just got to the road. The man that picked us up daughter is also hiking the trail - she is still several days behind us - it was around 1 pm when we were in town - got a room at the Inn - we showered and chilled out - then went to re-supply. We bought a small cheese cake for me and ice cream for Patches - very nice!

We went to the Plaza to eat - Patches & Black Bird got each a 12 inch Pizza - I got fried fish and chips with a salad - very nice! The waitress gave me a shot of whiskey for free and one for Patches to share for my birthday - a group was playing guitars and drums.

Stratton, ME is a small friendly town with nothing - looks like at night everybody came to the Plaza and in the morning they go to the Diner.

Steep up and down - close to the end of the tough mt - we hiked with Bill & Bill, Mary Nanely and Netty, Black Bird and myself (Crazy Lady) - we slow hiked with steep ups & downs - our hiking days a getting shorter with the sun going down earlier and with leaves still on the trees the woods get dark early. Bill Sr fell far behind and did not make it to our camp spot (self created by Patches) - Patches followed a moose trail - found water and 3 level spots for our tents. Bill and Bill's hammock - we want to get up early tomorrow - it is town day.

Update on our gear - we now have to drink bleach water - our filter is just to slow - ME streams are pretty clean and we have water close by most of the day - our boots are hanging in - but barley - my camel pack has a leak - I am very lucky that it is not in my back pack - but overnight with my camel pack outside the tent we super glued it and it still leaked - we re-super glued it. My back pack screw on (nvit) left side came out again - lasted thru VT & NH & almost 1/2 of ME - we will see if we can find a rint in Monson - Patches back pack still has the medium stacks - we hope the large pair is at Monson - our bodies a still holding on.

Piazza Rock Lean-to - 1958.0 miles

Maine Motto "This is the way life should be"


Maine people are very friendly and helpful - even the people in the stores. ME is definitely the easiest state to hitch hike in - you walk out at a trail head and into a parking lot - 3 people will ask if you want to go to town. At ME 4 parking lot we met a lade and her husband (Trail name Steady) - she is a triple crown hiker - hiked AT in 1993, 03 PCT and 05 COT - they offered us Gatorade and little Debbie's and a ride to town - we just did not need a ride at that time.


Lunch time at Piazze Rock Lean-to we rejoined with Bill and Bill - what a surprise to see them - we thought they were several days ahead of us - have not seen them in 4 months - Bill Sr really is having a hard time but has had 7 wks of very interesting hiking - he got lost - fell a lot - but is still going. We camped with them tonight - they are so very nice.


Most of today's hike was steep up & down - some above the tree line. The Reddington Campsite is under construction - looks like a tornado came thru here - there is water here - so we found a spot to camp.