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Training at Independence Oaks
7 weeks from today we hit the trail
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
September 15
Our first day in the wilderness. Light rain and slick slate rocks and roots everywhere. Sparky fell and gashed his hand. My feet slid out from under me but had a safe fall on my pack. Had to ford a couple rivers. Then trail magic....lobster, steak, brats, corn and cold drinks. Had our fill, hiked another mile to a river campsite.
As much as I love it out here, I am ready to finish. The legs are ready for a break. We are excited to finally be in the double digits. 99 miles to go. Can't wait to see Robin and John on Tuesday and then Rosanna and Bill.
As much as I love it out here, I am ready to finish. The legs are ready for a break. We are excited to finally be in the double digits. 99 miles to go. Can't wait to see Robin and John on Tuesday and then Rosanna and Bill.
Friday, September 14, 2012
September 13
Hit the trail with a two mile uphill to summit Moxie Bald Mountain. The sun was shining and the view was clear. EZ spotted Katahdin in the distance, how exciting!! We spent over an hour enjoying the morning. We had an aggressive chipmunk try to join us for breakfast. It was very cute. Each moment we know is putting us closer to the end. Sparky and Passion Flower joined us and we savored the moment together.
The rest of the day was gradual ups and downs with rivers to ford. The toughest one had a rope to help you across. It has been dry so we know we are lucky with these fords. Two southbounders told us the water at the rope was dangerous. They had some rain. The water can be as high as your waist.
We hiked into town and met Dawn. She and her husband, Dick, own Shaw's Hostel here in Monson. They neighbor in Florida with our neighbors, Dom and Louise Maudi. They were full so they offered us the home their kids stay in next to their home on the lake. So generous and kind of them. They had great things to say about Dom and Louise including a story about a black snake and trying to be heroes. It is something to have couches and a kitchen. We don't know how to act. We were walking around last night with our headlamps.
Pictures and additional blogs will be at our new address
EZandGravity2012.blogspot.com
The rest of the day was gradual ups and downs with rivers to ford. The toughest one had a rope to help you across. It has been dry so we know we are lucky with these fords. Two southbounders told us the water at the rope was dangerous. They had some rain. The water can be as high as your waist.
We hiked into town and met Dawn. She and her husband, Dick, own Shaw's Hostel here in Monson. They neighbor in Florida with our neighbors, Dom and Louise Maudi. They were full so they offered us the home their kids stay in next to their home on the lake. So generous and kind of them. They had great things to say about Dom and Louise including a story about a black snake and trying to be heroes. It is something to have couches and a kitchen. We don't know how to act. We were walking around last night with our headlamps.
Pictures and additional blogs will be at our new address
EZandGravity2012.blogspot.com
September 12
Hit the trail this morning under beautiful blue skies and temps around 70. We are so thankful for the weather conditions and it looks good until Sunday with 30% chance of showers.
Spent most of yesterday and last night in Caratunk at a lodge/brewery. A very cool place that attracts hikers, fisherman, rafters/kayakers, quads, snowmobilers and hunters. We enjoyed some good food and hot tub.
Did not have the energy for pool volleyball like the younger crowd but was fun to watch.
My knee is doing much better with more tame terrain and acti-patch treatment every night thanks to Robin Walker. I feel confident that I can finish this with minimum discomfort.
Our hike was awesome today. Had a few good views, a swim in the lake and a challenging river crossing that I rock hopped and Gravity waded with her water shoes. Maine has been spectacular and I would really like to come back someday for a fishing/hiking trip.
We have a campsite next to a flowing stream. Enjoyed the evening with Sparky from Arizona originally from TN and Passion Flower of FL originally from Utah. Built a fire, ate our dinner and did some star gazing. Trying to savor these last few nights with only about 10 before it is over.
We will have a full hike Thursday then half on Friday before hitting our last town of Monson before entering the 100 mile wilderness that takes us to our final climb.
We ran into Razor a ridge runner we met way back in Georgia. He is hiking southbound the entire state of Maine. He told us to not race through but enjoy this last bit of the journey. All the hikers are getting excited about being only 10 days or so out from Khatadin. I'm told the final climb can be very emotional foremost and that is what I am expecting
Thinking of our family and friends everyday.
EZ
Spent most of yesterday and last night in Caratunk at a lodge/brewery. A very cool place that attracts hikers, fisherman, rafters/kayakers, quads, snowmobilers and hunters. We enjoyed some good food and hot tub.
Did not have the energy for pool volleyball like the younger crowd but was fun to watch.
My knee is doing much better with more tame terrain and acti-patch treatment every night thanks to Robin Walker. I feel confident that I can finish this with minimum discomfort.
Our hike was awesome today. Had a few good views, a swim in the lake and a challenging river crossing that I rock hopped and Gravity waded with her water shoes. Maine has been spectacular and I would really like to come back someday for a fishing/hiking trip.
We have a campsite next to a flowing stream. Enjoyed the evening with Sparky from Arizona originally from TN and Passion Flower of FL originally from Utah. Built a fire, ate our dinner and did some star gazing. Trying to savor these last few nights with only about 10 before it is over.
We will have a full hike Thursday then half on Friday before hitting our last town of Monson before entering the 100 mile wilderness that takes us to our final climb.
We ran into Razor a ridge runner we met way back in Georgia. He is hiking southbound the entire state of Maine. He told us to not race through but enjoy this last bit of the journey. All the hikers are getting excited about being only 10 days or so out from Khatadin. I'm told the final climb can be very emotional foremost and that is what I am expecting
Thinking of our family and friends everyday.
EZ
September 11. Should we stay or should we go???
As we are eating our patriotic pancakes made with apples, raspberries and blueberries, we are trying to decide if we will stay in town tonight. There are three more towns and our adventure is coming to an end. We hear Monson has some good live music on Friday night. We could still be to Millinocket on the 20th which is ten miles from the base of Katahdin.
Four mile hike along a gorgeous stream known for trophy size trout. The stream flows onto the Kennebec River which many through hikers have attempted to ford only to be swept down river. The town hired Hillbilly Dave to canoe hikers two at a time across the river. What a morning. As we crossed the river, we finally decided to go to the Northern Country Brewery to enjoy a hot tub and dinner with our friends. We've had a wonderful day.
Starting to feel the pull of life at home. Wanting to hang onto every minute left of this lifestyle we have been living. Not sure how the two worlds will come together. Six months is a long time to have such a drastic change. We are comfortable in the woods. We sleep well in our tent. We are accustom to our daily hike following the white blazes almost every single day. As we shared dinner with six other hikers, we laughed and reminisced about encounters with wildlife, trail magic, crazy weather, starry nights, full moons, our wipe outs and on and on. There is a culture here that we are a part of. A bond with people you barely know because you have traversed the same 2000 plus miles. After Katahdin, it's over. Hard to believe we are so close.
Off to sleep, need to just stay in the present and let tomorrow take care of itself. Life is good!!!
Four mile hike along a gorgeous stream known for trophy size trout. The stream flows onto the Kennebec River which many through hikers have attempted to ford only to be swept down river. The town hired Hillbilly Dave to canoe hikers two at a time across the river. What a morning. As we crossed the river, we finally decided to go to the Northern Country Brewery to enjoy a hot tub and dinner with our friends. We've had a wonderful day.
Starting to feel the pull of life at home. Wanting to hang onto every minute left of this lifestyle we have been living. Not sure how the two worlds will come together. Six months is a long time to have such a drastic change. We are comfortable in the woods. We sleep well in our tent. We are accustom to our daily hike following the white blazes almost every single day. As we shared dinner with six other hikers, we laughed and reminisced about encounters with wildlife, trail magic, crazy weather, starry nights, full moons, our wipe outs and on and on. There is a culture here that we are a part of. A bond with people you barely know because you have traversed the same 2000 plus miles. After Katahdin, it's over. Hard to believe we are so close.
Off to sleep, need to just stay in the present and let tomorrow take care of itself. Life is good!!!
New blog address
I can no longer post pictures on this blog so we will continue our blog on this new web address
EZamdGravity2012.blogspot.com
EZamdGravity2012.blogspot.com
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