pictures!

my dear hammy has so kindly posted ALL (or almost all…) of our pictures on his flickr site and since the link to said site is buried deep in this here blog, i thought i’d put it up here fresh in case anyone is still stopping by.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rpk219/collections/72157604696027148/

we’re both adjusting to life off the trail, but i know i miss it terribly, as does the burglar. lucky for me, my work travels have enabled me to revisit the trail some — hiking on and around greylock, driving through southern vermont, stopping by bear’s den, and even a swing by the doyle. i’ve also been lucky enough to see stripe, peacock and daddy-o, and ms. priss these past few weeks. there really is nothing like talking to people from the trail when you’re missing it so much.

but soon my travels will come to an end and i’ll head back to minneapolis where i’ll be reunited once again with my hamburglar. it’s been strange not to be with him after spending almost 6 straight months of nearly 24/7 togetherness. and you’d think we’ve had enough of it, but what we’re really looking forward to doing when i return is getting out and hiking. day hikes in the minnesota woods can’t really compare to the trail, but it’ll definitely do.

katahdin at last!

(i know, i know, this has taken me a while — but with limited internet access and difficulty looking at a computer screen for an extended amount of time, it’s the best i can do. thanks for your patience!)

so, moving along….the big day finally arrived!!! we woke up around 4AM, stuffed some food in our mouths and chugged some cokes as we all piled into sailboat’s sister’s car. since we were outside of the park, we had to wait until the gates opened for the day, around 5AM, then wait in line to get through the gate and drive up to katahdin stream campground before we were really on our way. after quickly checking in at the ranger station, we were headed up the mountain by 6:20. already we could tell it was going to be a beautiful day and we were all happy we’d waited to summit when we originally planned. since it was a monday, we didn’t have to deal with the weekend crowds, but most importantly, the weather was perfect as the sun began to rise on a flawless blue sky.

almost there!

the next day we got an early start on another landmark day — 5 months on the trail!! we couldn’t believe it. we were warned by another hiker, southbound, that the upcoming climb was nasty, and the mud we would encounter afterwards would be up to our thighs. riiiiiiiight…

onward into the wilderness…

we got a slower start after that rainy night – everything was so cold and damp, making it very difficult to get motivated and moving. but as i said, things soon cleared up.

(i’m experimenting with pictures — hope this works…)

at long last…

i know, i know, can you ever forgive us??? yes, we realize it’s been over a week since we posted our triumphant summit picture, promising to update soon. and we’ve meant to update, really we have. things just seem to have happened so quickly since finishing – it’s been a lot to take in. i’m writing this from the safe haven of my family’s cabin in northwestern wisconsin after leaving my dear burglar in cleveland with his folks. it took a while to get here from katahdin, but this is exactly where i want to be right now, just trying to fully take in all that we’ve experienced over these past five months. there are still so many thoughts swirling in my head right now as i try to process everything, but for now i’ll just update ya’ll on how the last bit of our trip went. it was quite a ride and there’s much to tell so i’ll do this in parts. my eyes can’t look at a computer screen for very long!

Guess what?

(wait for it…)

things ain’t pretty…

folks, it’s wet. rainy, muddy, sloppy, slippery, wet. we’re trying to keep our spirits up, we really are. and everyone we’ve been in contact with from home has been wonderful in their support and encouragement. again, we thank you so very much!! before i go into what’s happening right now, here’s a few high points from the whites.

Welcome to Maine!

Rumor has it that we arrived in Maine recently, though I’m not so sure. I mean, the sign said we’re there but with the rain/fog/clouds lately, we haven’t been able to see anything. Tonight we’re staying at Pine Ellis (a “B&B”) in Andover, ME and we couldn’t be happier to be indoors and dry.

Finally, miles again!

Well, it has taken a while but we’re finally moving again. After starting the meds for lyme, we’ve knocked out a 17 and a 20 back to back in New Hampshire, which isn’t too bad. We’re staying the night at the Hikers Welcome Hostel in Glencliff, NH and out back there appears to be one huge hill! Mt. Moosilaukee, as Pippi previously said was the first time we’ll pass 4,000 since Virginia awaits us tomorrow morning and we’re looking forward to it.

Even with all our distractions and hurdles lately, we’ve still been driven to fight through everything, I mean with everyone that’s been cheering us on and helping out any way possible, how could we not? Having been sick with what looks to be a touch of the lyme has been quite frustrating since about an hour in to the day I’m totally wiped, but getting the treatment seems to have been a huge boost already. Imagine not being able to even walk around a small town to run “errands” without needing to sit down, that’s been me – extremely fatigued. Thankfully Pippi has been incredibly patient and so many people have gone above and beyond to help us out. Thanks so much to everyone, we appreciate the well wishes and the support and our spirits are high again, we’re ready to hit the Whites.

The weather may not be so great from what we’re seeing, which is the concern in the White Mountains, but we’re ready – the boots are already wet so that won’t be too different, but we’re just hoping to be safe. By the way, we have less than 400 miles to go! Somehow, we’ve hiked almost 1,800 miles this summer! Holy crap! It’s about time for me to shower, but thanks again to everyone, we’re going to make it.

hitting a few speedbumps…

ok, so we’re FINALLY done with vermont and into new hampshire. since our last post, things haven’t been quite as sunny, literally or figuratively, as they’d been before.