Gov. Mark Sanford may only have talked about hiking the Appalachian Trail. But our very own Jonathan T. has actually been doing it all spring and summer. Here is what may be his last posting. Enjoy!
Hey! Surprise update. Didn’t think I could send one again, but found a laptop here in Stratton, ME. The last few days have been intense with heavy rain, muck puddles, and a heaviness making it difficult to keep up the mileage, but I’m now getting so close to the end! I’ll confess, a burger has driven me to put in good mileage today (i’m going vegetarian again after the trail, mind you). Can’t wait.
And the rain’s probably not going to let up the rest of the hike, I’ve just accepted that.
Memories from this week include:
* picking wild blueberries on top of a mountain for hours in a rare moment of sunshine
* camping in town when a hitch didn’t pan out:) whoops.
* stuffing my face with wild raspberries along a remote road while waiting for a hitch out of Andover, ME, then it taking 3 attempts to get us to the trailhead
* 2000’ elevation gains over 2 miles. Hard breathing!
* falling nearly face first into a huge mud puddle - had to laugh. I fall nearly 3-4 times/day.
* brainstorming ways to make Erin’s birthday memorable even though I can’t be there…
* “pshh"ing a bird til it came within 10 feet of me full of curiosity. Some sort of jay.
* jammin’ to Marley and Sublime in a shelter with a hiker with speakers attached to his iPod
* bad sleep - shelters PACKED due to rain driving people not to tent; a guy elbowing me in the face numerous times
* seeing the clouds break early this morning over a ravine boasting a roaring waterfall
* being alone on the trail for once after starting my hike before 6am
* hearing live bluegrass blaring from behind a restaurant in this small little mountain town, something I’ve been hoping to stumble upon
* thinking about my former daily schedule when working at the Lt. Gov’s office vs. now....
* getting REALLY excited to eat sour gummy worms and CheezeIts
* journaling memories of the day in the dark, my headlamp not working
* dealing with cocky southbounders - so annoying sometimes
* missing CCMC immensely
* getting mail from close friends, notes in the mail drop box from Erin (and more amazing dried veggies and fruit!)
* hearing there’s a “work for eat” place in Monson, Maine. Very excited.
* “showering” in a stream, me covered in filth, my legs caked black. SO WET this week.
* invisioning the Mt. Katahdin summit. It’s gonna be emotional.
Katahdin, the northern terminus of the Trail in Baxter State Park, Maine
Miss you all, and here are some upcoming post offices. Monson is the only real mailing option at this point, and we’re motivated to hike fast now! The end is in sight. Feel like sending me mail or baked goods? Shameless, I know:) Will be back in Chicago on August 7. I promise to update my TrailJournals.com page then with more photos.
Peace. Hope you’re enjoying quasi-normal summer weather, a dry place, and fresh food.
Best,
“Birches”
