I'm about 2 miles north of the Kennebec River on route 201. There is a lodge/outdoor center here that caters to rafters and hikers. Its quite a lovely place and the prices are very nice. I would have kept going except for my feet hurting again. I should arrive in Monson, ME in about 1-2 days and then its only a few more to the final destination.
Yesterday I spent walking across the Bigelow Mountains and found Noah-John (the guy I had been walking with) at the summit of one of them. It was surreal and he wasnt going on much further since he is skipping ahead by car today. I walked another mile to the next peak and we spend a few min yelling to each other from a mile away. I now wish I took a video on my camera of that event. I cant find any other hikers to share my room so Ill have to make due with the 4 beds and 8 sets of towels and my own bath. The rough life. All for the low price of $32.
Well I have to go finish laundry so I can smell pretty for the bugs and mud.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Mt. Katahdin ETA: 8/9/08
I'm actually in Kingfield Maine as I write this at the friend of my grandfathers who is kind enough to let me use the interweb. I had planned on visiting David & Ruth in a few days the timetable was bumped up due to various things (including me not wanting to go over saddleback in a T-storm.) I'll get back to it tomorrow at rangely around 7am. 220 miles and 11 days to do it in (the 12 day is to summit). I invite anyone who wants to come to the top or the mountain to do so as I would love to see any of you.
The other hikers tell me 20 mpd cant be done. Of course this makes me want it more and push that much harder. I don't really care that the mud is sometimes knee deep, it kinda reminds me of those years between 3 & 16 when I went claming for a living. And the miles/terrain whatever its home turf. So to those naysayers poo-poo on you. Ill get up at 4:30am and walk until 8:30pm if I have to (and I have had to so far for 3 days) just to prove them wrong. A little sadist satisfaction.
Hopefully the hardest part is over. I did have to climb up a mountainside where there was a rock slide near andover. The rock/mudslide had taken out 3 switchbacks and left a bare/slick ravine that I didn't want to scale. So I went around and climbed up a mossy and rooty mountainside 80ft or so to get over that little inconvenience. The mud has been fun. Singing "I love mud" as well as dancing in the stuff and imitating the bog of eternal stench whenever the sucking sound of pulling my knee/calf/foot arises.
I'm not sure if Ill get another stint on the computer between now and then so if I don't talk to you though this again you'll probably see the scary hippie known as "sir bacon" soon enough. Be well and safe. See you at Katahdin or shortly thereafter.
The other hikers tell me 20 mpd cant be done. Of course this makes me want it more and push that much harder. I don't really care that the mud is sometimes knee deep, it kinda reminds me of those years between 3 & 16 when I went claming for a living. And the miles/terrain whatever its home turf. So to those naysayers poo-poo on you. Ill get up at 4:30am and walk until 8:30pm if I have to (and I have had to so far for 3 days) just to prove them wrong. A little sadist satisfaction.
Hopefully the hardest part is over. I did have to climb up a mountainside where there was a rock slide near andover. The rock/mudslide had taken out 3 switchbacks and left a bare/slick ravine that I didn't want to scale. So I went around and climbed up a mossy and rooty mountainside 80ft or so to get over that little inconvenience. The mud has been fun. Singing "I love mud" as well as dancing in the stuff and imitating the bog of eternal stench whenever the sucking sound of pulling my knee/calf/foot arises.
I'm not sure if Ill get another stint on the computer between now and then so if I don't talk to you though this again you'll probably see the scary hippie known as "sir bacon" soon enough. Be well and safe. See you at Katahdin or shortly thereafter.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
"I'm not dead yet"
I hear through various methods that people are a little worried about me not checking in. Sorry about that. The colder nights killed the cellphone battery and there was little to no reception up in the hills (even when next to cell towers) and of course the "huts" only had radio. Incidentally if you were watching the Mt. Washington web-cam at 7:45am on 7/21/08 you would have seen me in front of it (i tried to call out to let people know but was unable at that time). I have been unable to see if they have an archive for that date and time. Out of danger zone now. Sighs of relief all around.
Alive and in Gorham, NH (16 miles from Maine along the AT) sharing a room with a man named "Apostle." I have been walking with him since about day 2 after the restart. I did have a brief spell where I nearly quit but after taking a 12hr nap and copious amounts of food to break the exhaustion I pushed through. Since then I have been doing what feel like slow days of 8-15 miles but when your climbing 5-15k feet in elevation every day its kinda slow going. I took my worst fall this morning and will have a bruised butt for sure and hopefully the knee will knit up by morning. It was a little hyper extended and since the right knee never had full mobility from my high school injuries its a little tender. I felt/heard a little crunch in the fall but walking it off and soaking it in a river I fjorded helped. Advil and ice tonight, then walking again tomorrow.
They say "slow down and enjoy the whites". They are wrong. I have not seen the sunshine since I was in Maine. I have seen 20' in front of me the entire of this state for it has been foggy and raining the whole time. There was one lightening storm I was in but I huddled under a rock outcropping and waited for it and the hail to pass. All in all a very unexciting and damp. There is more to come so no point complaining about it. After all its just a free 12hr shower and considering how I smell its quite refreshing :)
To quote Gandalf the White "Look to my coming on the western hills on the coming of the 3nd dawn" (or something like that...actually it will probably be the 2nd dawn but whatever.) Off to the P.O. and then to the ice machine.
Alive and in Gorham, NH (16 miles from Maine along the AT) sharing a room with a man named "Apostle." I have been walking with him since about day 2 after the restart. I did have a brief spell where I nearly quit but after taking a 12hr nap and copious amounts of food to break the exhaustion I pushed through. Since then I have been doing what feel like slow days of 8-15 miles but when your climbing 5-15k feet in elevation every day its kinda slow going. I took my worst fall this morning and will have a bruised butt for sure and hopefully the knee will knit up by morning. It was a little hyper extended and since the right knee never had full mobility from my high school injuries its a little tender. I felt/heard a little crunch in the fall but walking it off and soaking it in a river I fjorded helped. Advil and ice tonight, then walking again tomorrow.
They say "slow down and enjoy the whites". They are wrong. I have not seen the sunshine since I was in Maine. I have seen 20' in front of me the entire of this state for it has been foggy and raining the whole time. There was one lightening storm I was in but I huddled under a rock outcropping and waited for it and the hail to pass. All in all a very unexciting and damp. There is more to come so no point complaining about it. After all its just a free 12hr shower and considering how I smell its quite refreshing :)
To quote Gandalf the White "Look to my coming on the western hills on the coming of the 3nd dawn" (or something like that...actually it will probably be the 2nd dawn but whatever.) Off to the P.O. and then to the ice machine.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Back up and hiking
After a few days with good entertainment in good company I can see why the "average" hiker has 30+ zero days of slacking. Alas this tea-party must end at some point shortly and the weather says it will be soon. A few things that are not really related to me walking and a few that are:
I spoke with Noah-John (he's the guy I have hiked over 1/2 of the trail with) and he is out of commission right now on account of a pinched nerve in his neck and lack of mobility. In an failing attempt to not to have "T-rex syndrome" (big legs little arms) we have been doing push-ups. Long story short, well actually its a short story shorter, he is waiting to see a specialist and will then probably jump ahead on the trail in order to meet his finish deadline of 8/7/08. How does this play into Sir Bacons plans? It now appears I'll have to hike the White Mountains solo, or at least without someone there who generally watches me back. I mean as hikers we look out for each other but its a little bit easier when there is a pair of hikers at the same pace that can share resources and info if needed. The "Whites" are the last dangerous hurtle for me in this walk. It has been known to snow up in the mountains in every month of the year and there is not much cover since much is above the tree-line. The terrain also calls for a lot slower of walking because of the grueling ups and downs. All in all I'm a bot nervous but it will be fine. Hopefully Ill be able to call people on a daily or every other day basis to say "I'm still OK" since contact in the whites will be kind of spotty.
While in town I managed to visit the White's lovely home in Cumberland. I helped Andrew on a few rather fun projects over the last few years. Jenn and Ben the 3.5 month podling are all well. I think Ben was born just about the time I left on my walk. Andrew has already shipped out to South America (?) for his newest coastguard deployment and Jenn and Ben are about to start a shuffle that will land them in Californie. Jenn's first comment was "you look different." Et tu brute, for she is no longer bed ridden with pregnancy complications. Best of luck with the relocation you guys. I look forward to seeing you in September when Andrew gets his first break.
Morgan in particular, but all others I have crushed in scrabble will be glad to know that I was severely spanked at scrabble yesterday. E-"high fives" can be directed to Ellen (the one who writes the poetry posts) who put me in my place. Final score something like 200 (me) to 250 (her). A rematch TBA just in case the original game was a fluke or I was taking it easy on her because her birthday. Happy Birthday Ellen.
In catching up with Andrea Weed, who made me the most monstrous O'natural's sandwich last time I was in town (Operation Kitty-Troll 911), I owe her a belated happy birthday. Photos of that sandwich she crafted made other hikers jealous. I'm torn by finding I missed Andrea's birthday and loosing at scrabble in the same day. Rectifications will be forthcoming.
A cut0throat kickball game occurred Sunday afternoon in a Westbrook field. A close game ultimately lead to my teams defeat when "the moose" scored the winning run. I suspect the other team was using steroids or dandy lion magic to gain the advantage. Final score 19 to 21.
Sir Bacon's armor, cloak, pantaloons and boots have been located for the final summit (boy its heavy stuff even with the push-ups.) When going through storage I was very overwhlemed with everything I own and here is why:
Backpack, hammock, sleeping bag, 2 shirts, 2 shorts, mini-towel, mini first aid kit, 3 bags, spork, 50ft rope, toothbrush/paste, matches, FM tuner, cellphone, ID/debit/phone/medical card/cash, camera, water treatment chemical, earplugs, 2 soda bottles, 1/2 guidebook, journal.
Above is an entire list of what I have existed with for the last 30 days. So much stuff in storage. I'm sure ill like it when I get back and get re-acclimated.
To that, I would like to announce that even though I have been living by "wild-child hippie wood rules" for over 3 months I didn't pee on any trees while in civilization. I even used deodorant for the first time in 3 months! Never mind that the deodorant was being used to try to wax my moustache into a more impressive style, it was used non the less. Good times all around. I mean the only thing I didn't do was go fly a kite. No wait I did that too. :)
It was a good break. The feet & knees are feeling much better. I have had a chance to visit, catch up, and now its time to get back to it and finish this thing.
I spoke with Noah-John (he's the guy I have hiked over 1/2 of the trail with) and he is out of commission right now on account of a pinched nerve in his neck and lack of mobility. In an failing attempt to not to have "T-rex syndrome" (big legs little arms) we have been doing push-ups. Long story short, well actually its a short story shorter, he is waiting to see a specialist and will then probably jump ahead on the trail in order to meet his finish deadline of 8/7/08. How does this play into Sir Bacons plans? It now appears I'll have to hike the White Mountains solo, or at least without someone there who generally watches me back. I mean as hikers we look out for each other but its a little bit easier when there is a pair of hikers at the same pace that can share resources and info if needed. The "Whites" are the last dangerous hurtle for me in this walk. It has been known to snow up in the mountains in every month of the year and there is not much cover since much is above the tree-line. The terrain also calls for a lot slower of walking because of the grueling ups and downs. All in all I'm a bot nervous but it will be fine. Hopefully Ill be able to call people on a daily or every other day basis to say "I'm still OK" since contact in the whites will be kind of spotty.
While in town I managed to visit the White's lovely home in Cumberland. I helped Andrew on a few rather fun projects over the last few years. Jenn and Ben the 3.5 month podling are all well. I think Ben was born just about the time I left on my walk. Andrew has already shipped out to South America (?) for his newest coastguard deployment and Jenn and Ben are about to start a shuffle that will land them in Californie. Jenn's first comment was "you look different." Et tu brute, for she is no longer bed ridden with pregnancy complications. Best of luck with the relocation you guys. I look forward to seeing you in September when Andrew gets his first break.
Morgan in particular, but all others I have crushed in scrabble will be glad to know that I was severely spanked at scrabble yesterday. E-"high fives" can be directed to Ellen (the one who writes the poetry posts) who put me in my place. Final score something like 200 (me) to 250 (her). A rematch TBA just in case the original game was a fluke or I was taking it easy on her because her birthday. Happy Birthday Ellen.
In catching up with Andrea Weed, who made me the most monstrous O'natural's sandwich last time I was in town (Operation Kitty-Troll 911), I owe her a belated happy birthday. Photos of that sandwich she crafted made other hikers jealous. I'm torn by finding I missed Andrea's birthday and loosing at scrabble in the same day. Rectifications will be forthcoming.
A cut0throat kickball game occurred Sunday afternoon in a Westbrook field. A close game ultimately lead to my teams defeat when "the moose" scored the winning run. I suspect the other team was using steroids or dandy lion magic to gain the advantage. Final score 19 to 21.
Sir Bacon's armor, cloak, pantaloons and boots have been located for the final summit (boy its heavy stuff even with the push-ups.) When going through storage I was very overwhlemed with everything I own and here is why:
Backpack, hammock, sleeping bag, 2 shirts, 2 shorts, mini-towel, mini first aid kit, 3 bags, spork, 50ft rope, toothbrush/paste, matches, FM tuner, cellphone, ID/debit/phone/medical card/cash, camera, water treatment chemical, earplugs, 2 soda bottles, 1/2 guidebook, journal.
Above is an entire list of what I have existed with for the last 30 days. So much stuff in storage. I'm sure ill like it when I get back and get re-acclimated.
To that, I would like to announce that even though I have been living by "wild-child hippie wood rules" for over 3 months I didn't pee on any trees while in civilization. I even used deodorant for the first time in 3 months! Never mind that the deodorant was being used to try to wax my moustache into a more impressive style, it was used non the less. Good times all around. I mean the only thing I didn't do was go fly a kite. No wait I did that too. :)
It was a good break. The feet & knees are feeling much better. I have had a chance to visit, catch up, and now its time to get back to it and finish this thing.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
What an interesting day
After a little bit of a mix-up in directions, probably on account of I really didn't know where I would be emerging from the woods, I managed to connect with Joe. I dare say he had far to much fun taking pictures of me wearing his cloths and me eating. I'm not really sure how the shirt got tucked into the boxer briefs. It could be on account of me changing (yes that's a down to the birthday suit change) on the side of a NH "turnpike" where speed was an issue. It could have also have had something to do with my lack of expiernce with underwear for the last 3 months. Either way the photos of me just before going to get a bite to eat are pretty good. Hell the eating photos are pretty good too. I have not received so many strange comments in a Burger King when I ordered (and ate in one setting) a larger coke, large fries, and 10 hamburgers. The entire tray was covered in these little treats and I ate them all...mmmmm. The crowd around even seemed a bit, well I'm not sure. It was a cross between horror struck and in awe. I was a little calorie deprived on account of a light dinner last night and a few granola bars this morning so to me the 5000 calorie lunch seemed to hit the spot. And now that most of you are nauseated, and secretly envious/wanting to see photos, I'll move on to other topics.
There's only 1/5 of the trial left. 420ish miles to go and about a month to do it in. This section could be particularly interesting, lovely, and dangerous. The whites are known for being able to snow every month of the year. Even in the hottest parts like we are in now. That's partly why I'm on my mini break to make sure I have the cold weather gear. That and to heal a foot, get out my mid-evil costume for Mt. Katahdin, and celebrate a birthday. All in all it will be a nice break, the last one being in Harper's Ferry, WV on 6/6/08. A big thanks to Ellen & Joe for coming to pick me up.
The only other things that happened yesterday were that I passed what I would call a crazy person on the trail yesterday. He didn't talk to anyone and was carrying a backpack and 2 duffel bags of food. Another hiker tried to talk with him and verified this characters loopy nature. I passed him while he was sleeping on the trail and kept on walking. The only other certified hiker I saw I had to blow by because I knew who he was and his rep for having sexually assaulted another person on the trail after a bout of drinking. Not someone that I would get along with in the least bit.
Its getting late and the pizza is here so I'll hang it up for the night. Hope you are all well.
There's only 1/5 of the trial left. 420ish miles to go and about a month to do it in. This section could be particularly interesting, lovely, and dangerous. The whites are known for being able to snow every month of the year. Even in the hottest parts like we are in now. That's partly why I'm on my mini break to make sure I have the cold weather gear. That and to heal a foot, get out my mid-evil costume for Mt. Katahdin, and celebrate a birthday. All in all it will be a nice break, the last one being in Harper's Ferry, WV on 6/6/08. A big thanks to Ellen & Joe for coming to pick me up.
The only other things that happened yesterday were that I passed what I would call a crazy person on the trail yesterday. He didn't talk to anyone and was carrying a backpack and 2 duffel bags of food. Another hiker tried to talk with him and verified this characters loopy nature. I passed him while he was sleeping on the trail and kept on walking. The only other certified hiker I saw I had to blow by because I knew who he was and his rep for having sexually assaulted another person on the trail after a bout of drinking. Not someone that I would get along with in the least bit.
Its getting late and the pizza is here so I'll hang it up for the night. Hope you are all well.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Fresh Produce
Apparently 22-28 mpd is not fast enough pace to make the Glencliff Post Office where my cold weather gear is. That being said I've worked out a plan to take 2 days off in Portland rather than that Podunk town. Heh. Podunk...was a road and location I passed last night in Vermont. It exists and I have photos. Crossed over into Hannover NH this morning and will be headed on to the extraction point at Lyme NH.
Lots of things to do to gear up for the last 420 miles. Many involve nothing. Odd huh? My foot is still hurting pretty bad and I wonder if its a stress fracture or something but we shall see if a few days off makes it better. If not well... I can have it xrayed in a month.
I don't want to say that Civilization is dirty but oye does it reek. I mean when I walked out of the woods this morning I noticed the stench of exhaust and various other nasties. This is odd considering how fowl I smell right now. This is an unrelated paragraph that I could omit but why?
Vermont was a muddy state with a lacking of bugs. It was nice to meet a whole bunch of people who were starting the "long trail" from one end of Vt to the other but I just kinda chuckled when they asked if I was a thru-hiker (same terminology for both trails) and said "Yarp. Except I'm walking the longer trail." Ah arrogance it tastes so much like granola bars covered in yogurt.
I'm excited for a break. I'm excited to be 1 state away from Maine and only 420 miles left to go. A B-day to celebrate this weekend. And possible beach time in So.Po if things work out. Ill see about writing a bit more when I get to Joe's and can reflect a bit more without time limits.
Be well.
Lots of things to do to gear up for the last 420 miles. Many involve nothing. Odd huh? My foot is still hurting pretty bad and I wonder if its a stress fracture or something but we shall see if a few days off makes it better. If not well... I can have it xrayed in a month.
I don't want to say that Civilization is dirty but oye does it reek. I mean when I walked out of the woods this morning I noticed the stench of exhaust and various other nasties. This is odd considering how fowl I smell right now. This is an unrelated paragraph that I could omit but why?
Vermont was a muddy state with a lacking of bugs. It was nice to meet a whole bunch of people who were starting the "long trail" from one end of Vt to the other but I just kinda chuckled when they asked if I was a thru-hiker (same terminology for both trails) and said "Yarp. Except I'm walking the longer trail." Ah arrogance it tastes so much like granola bars covered in yogurt.
I'm excited for a break. I'm excited to be 1 state away from Maine and only 420 miles left to go. A B-day to celebrate this weekend. And possible beach time in So.Po if things work out. Ill see about writing a bit more when I get to Joe's and can reflect a bit more without time limits.
Be well.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Cookie Monster?
When I started to speaking some 29ish years ago, "cookie monster" and "big bird" were a few of my first words (if my memory serves.) This came to mind today as I was jogging along the mountainside and a feeling elation and mischief came over me. I was reminded of a photo my mother has where I was sitting in my fathers lap with the most evil looking grin on my face. Its obvious from that photo I would do some mischievous deeds. The lady behind the counter didn't pick up on my grin due to all this facial fluff and she couldn't make out my joy due to the larger than life counter she sat behind. The cause of my merriment was my mid-calf coating of thick black mud. It was a good time in the rather wet MA mountains. There were boardwalks thru much of the extremely dense mud fields and I would do a little jog and hop to the next set of planks. Then it struck me why do I care if I get muddy? I'm getting new shoes today... so I ran jumped (high rather than far) and ker-ploped into a rather juicy batch of mountain mud. The cool glop oozed into my shoes and covered the legs up to mid calf. I continued jumping in the pasty stuff all the way down the mountain and imitating the 'bog of eternal stench' as I went It was fun.
I'm staying in Dalton tonight (Shamrock inn) to get the laundry done and get re outfitted for the final 620 miles. I thought about pushing on but realized I would have a hard time getting a room on the 4th and will probably just spend the holiday in the woods of Vermont. I'm still walking alone but camping at sites with lots of people (mostly day/weekend hikers) that I'm having a good time helping out and showing a few 'old dog' hiker tricks.
My skull is still a little battered from the Hailstorm that occurred here yesterday. After a lovely day with cool breezes a thunder storm rolled in and instead of lightening it thew thumbnail sized hail at my melon. At first I threw my arm over my head to cover myself but realized I was still holding a trekking pole (can you say lightening rod?) and figured that was a bad idea. It pummeled me thru my sunhat and I eventually had to take out my 1/2 inch thick sleeping pad and put that over my head to protect myself from the stuff. After it was all over I'm a little tender on the noggin but it was a neat experience. I made some ice-tea with the ice I collected and the little ice tea packets I had. Mmmm.
Time to go get NEW SHOES! So for all of you who have shoe fetishes or just like them be happy that I now know what joy you have in buying these things. Of course my joy is mostly because I wont have to wash those old mud caked ones off but regardless.
Be well young padawans
I'm staying in Dalton tonight (Shamrock inn) to get the laundry done and get re outfitted for the final 620 miles. I thought about pushing on but realized I would have a hard time getting a room on the 4th and will probably just spend the holiday in the woods of Vermont. I'm still walking alone but camping at sites with lots of people (mostly day/weekend hikers) that I'm having a good time helping out and showing a few 'old dog' hiker tricks.
My skull is still a little battered from the Hailstorm that occurred here yesterday. After a lovely day with cool breezes a thunder storm rolled in and instead of lightening it thew thumbnail sized hail at my melon. At first I threw my arm over my head to cover myself but realized I was still holding a trekking pole (can you say lightening rod?) and figured that was a bad idea. It pummeled me thru my sunhat and I eventually had to take out my 1/2 inch thick sleeping pad and put that over my head to protect myself from the stuff. After it was all over I'm a little tender on the noggin but it was a neat experience. I made some ice-tea with the ice I collected and the little ice tea packets I had. Mmmm.
Time to go get NEW SHOES! So for all of you who have shoe fetishes or just like them be happy that I now know what joy you have in buying these things. Of course my joy is mostly because I wont have to wash those old mud caked ones off but regardless.
Be well young padawans
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