Day 71. Will be down for a few days.
Have not heard from the guys in a couple days. Please include them in your prayers for a continued safe journey northward to Katahdin. Thank you so much!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Almost Vermont!
Continuing on....
After staying at Upper Goosepond, Jack and Chris spent the next day hiking 21.4 miles to Dalton, Mass. They stayed at a well-known trail angel's house who for many years has provided thru-hikers like Jack and Chris with auspicious hospitality. This man opened up his home to them, offering his refrigerator to them as their own. As an outsider looking into their world, I was simply amazed at this man's Good Samaritan generosity. Here is a man whose actions speak volumes, and in an unbelievably out-of-this-world way. This host can not possibly fathom the gratitude a mother must feel that her sons were taken care of in such a way. He, as well as all those who have extended their kindness to my sons, have been part of The Way along my sons' way. So much is published of the horrendous actions of others in the media. And it is important to be cautious. Yet the number of good people and unspoken acts of charity, must outweigh the evil actions we hear reported. Yes, we don't know what lurks around the corner on such a once-in-a- lifetime adventure. But we have much more to be thankful for, just looking for it hidden behind the veil of ordinary life. So much for my reflection. Divine Providence was apparent again here and then later on yesterday morning. Jack and Chris shared their tale with two strangers along the hike and they generously helped them with their stay that night....after hiking 23.3 miles.
By the way, they climbed their first large summit since Shenandoah, VA: Mt. Greylock: elevation 3,491'. They are just a few miles from the Vermont border. The Green Mountains and sheer vertical climbs of the New Hampshire White Mountains, including Mount Washington, loom ahead in the distance. They are a long awaited challenge. States remaining: Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. They awake to begin again...day 70.
After staying at Upper Goosepond, Jack and Chris spent the next day hiking 21.4 miles to Dalton, Mass. They stayed at a well-known trail angel's house who for many years has provided thru-hikers like Jack and Chris with auspicious hospitality. This man opened up his home to them, offering his refrigerator to them as their own. As an outsider looking into their world, I was simply amazed at this man's Good Samaritan generosity. Here is a man whose actions speak volumes, and in an unbelievably out-of-this-world way. This host can not possibly fathom the gratitude a mother must feel that her sons were taken care of in such a way. He, as well as all those who have extended their kindness to my sons, have been part of The Way along my sons' way. So much is published of the horrendous actions of others in the media. And it is important to be cautious. Yet the number of good people and unspoken acts of charity, must outweigh the evil actions we hear reported. Yes, we don't know what lurks around the corner on such a once-in-a- lifetime adventure. But we have much more to be thankful for, just looking for it hidden behind the veil of ordinary life. So much for my reflection. Divine Providence was apparent again here and then later on yesterday morning. Jack and Chris shared their tale with two strangers along the hike and they generously helped them with their stay that night....after hiking 23.3 miles.
By the way, they climbed their first large summit since Shenandoah, VA: Mt. Greylock: elevation 3,491'. They are just a few miles from the Vermont border. The Green Mountains and sheer vertical climbs of the New Hampshire White Mountains, including Mount Washington, loom ahead in the distance. They are a long awaited challenge. States remaining: Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. They awake to begin again...day 70.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Days 66, 67, and 68 in Massachusetts
Last we heard from our hikers they had found lodging on a porch in Great Barrington. The owner of a bookstore, which is situated on the first floor of an old house with a front porch, graciously allowed them to camp out overnight. (They also wanted to add that before finding accommodations they went to McDonald's in GreatBarrington.)
The next morning they began walking back along U.S. 7 to their stopping point along the AT. They stopped at Dunkin' Donuts in Greater Barrington and wound up getting three sandwiches for free. They eventually got a short ride back to the trail. Back on the trail, they wound up hiking 27 muddy, rainy miles up to Upper Goosepond Cabin by 7:30 pm. There is more mud on the trail than in previous areas. They found 17/18 thru-hikers in the nice cabin shelter which exists through the help of the local ATC club and hiker donations. Blueberry pancakes were served for breakfast at Upper Goosepond. Sounded delicious, and since they don't have to worry about calories, they probably enjoyed them to their hearts' content.
Today the morning was nice but it started pouring for 30 minutes, including lightning and thunder. There was not as much concern as they are at a lower elevation than usual. Today they received three instances of trail magic: Along I-90, the Massachusetts Turnpike, theY saw a little wooden box filled with Pepsi and cookies. The second instance of trail magic was a plastic bag with apples. Finally, right before their last stop for the evening, they got gingerale.
They met 4 southbound thru-hiker siblings....ranging in age from about 19 to 26 from Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania.
Jack and Chris have been warned by other thru-hikers that they will lose another 10 pounds over the New Hampshire mountains. (They have each lost at least 20 pounds since they began the hike back in May.)
I will not post the same night's shelter out of safety precautions, at least until our hikers are well out of range.
If all goes as planned, they will probably be in Vermont in about a day. At the Vermont/Massachusetts border they will officially be 592.2 miles from Mt. Katahdin, and 1,584 miles from Springer Mountain, GA. I continue to be amazed at the capacity of hikers to walk the AT.
The next morning they began walking back along U.S. 7 to their stopping point along the AT. They stopped at Dunkin' Donuts in Greater Barrington and wound up getting three sandwiches for free. They eventually got a short ride back to the trail. Back on the trail, they wound up hiking 27 muddy, rainy miles up to Upper Goosepond Cabin by 7:30 pm. There is more mud on the trail than in previous areas. They found 17/18 thru-hikers in the nice cabin shelter which exists through the help of the local ATC club and hiker donations. Blueberry pancakes were served for breakfast at Upper Goosepond. Sounded delicious, and since they don't have to worry about calories, they probably enjoyed them to their hearts' content.
Today the morning was nice but it started pouring for 30 minutes, including lightning and thunder. There was not as much concern as they are at a lower elevation than usual. Today they received three instances of trail magic: Along I-90, the Massachusetts Turnpike, theY saw a little wooden box filled with Pepsi and cookies. The second instance of trail magic was a plastic bag with apples. Finally, right before their last stop for the evening, they got gingerale.
They met 4 southbound thru-hiker siblings....ranging in age from about 19 to 26 from Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania.
Jack and Chris have been warned by other thru-hikers that they will lose another 10 pounds over the New Hampshire mountains. (They have each lost at least 20 pounds since they began the hike back in May.)
I will not post the same night's shelter out of safety precautions, at least until our hikers are well out of range.
If all goes as planned, they will probably be in Vermont in about a day. At the Vermont/Massachusetts border they will officially be 592.2 miles from Mt. Katahdin, and 1,584 miles from Springer Mountain, GA. I continue to be amazed at the capacity of hikers to walk the AT.
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