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.
Hi. We have been enjoying your posts. We hope you are feeling better, Hammy. We miss you, Pippi. Emily wants to invite you to go to the Swedish Institute to see the Queen’s dresses. We hope you are having a good time, and that the views on the mountain are good.
It’s Made It To Maine Day! Congratulations! We admire your dedication to this experience and can’t wait to hear all of the stories when you return. We are so proud of everything you have already done and are pulling for you the rest of the way – we will be thinking of you! In the meantime, today we will celebrate you making it to Maine by drinking this Maine Root Sarsaparilla…mixed with root beer vodka!! We love you!
I’m not sure if you’ll get a chance to post anymore the rest of the way but if you get to read this, CONGRATULATIONS on getting to Maine! Now don’t do anything silly! (Sounds like a parent, doesn’t it?) From things I’ve read Maine is still very dangerous, the easiest state in which to lose the trail.
While these following feelings ARE mine most of the words come from Bill Bryson’s “A Walk in the Woods”. (I wish I could form thoughts as a good write can.) As he writes, “I am filled with admiration and incredulity for those who see it through.”
In a couple dozen days as you approach Katahdin I’m sure you’ll share his contradictory feelings of “being weary of the trail yet captivated by it, finding the endless trail increasingly exhausting but ever invigorating, tired of the boundless woods but in admiration of their boundlessness, enjoying the escape from civilation but aching for its comforts.”
Like I said earlier, don’t lose your focus. The 100 miles of Wilderness is still a great challenge.
Enjoy what the two of you have meant to each other these enjoyable yet difficult months. Hamburglar, Pippi: we wish we could be there to share your embrace at the peak but enjoy it. Be safe!
Pop
I am in Idaho along the CDT. I thought I should check out how you are doing, looks great! If you feel like being solitary on Katahdin don’t rule out headlamping up there! Yoshi and I did and it was fantastic! please, sign in to my journal on postholr.com and say hello when you are all done. Enjoy -Redbeard