First off, I apologize for not posting before we started off....
But the first two weeks have been awesome! There have been lots of beautiful places and landscapes as well as some really rough spots. Started out with Mount Katahdin on June 22nd after spending the first night in a campsite at the base. Day one bad things: lost a camera (before the summit, yes really), and 1 out of 2 complete sets of undergarments. Sweet. Good things: hiked freaking Katahdin!!!! The mountain definitely kicked our butts, but the next day was a solid 13 miles! Day three was a zero day. :)
So far, meeting lots of cool people. Many SOBOs (short for south bounders) started out around the same time as we did and passed us, but one friend we met on Katahdin and have continuously met up with is named Pepster. He's in his 70's and is section hiking his last 270 miles from Katahdin to Grafton Notch, NH! Pretty cool guy, for sure. Other cool peeps - the wicked fast Vesuvio; Tortoiseshell & Kool Breeze, who are leaving Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman at a shelter when they are finished with it; David and Polly, who know ALL ABOUT mushrooms and who just were kayaking in a huge thunder/lightning storm; Beardo & Sweet P., who are carrying 8 and 9 lb. packs and started out with 20 mile days; Dani and Lewis (Louis?) who are always smiling and basically awesome. Also met some crazy NOBOs like Chainsaw, who enjoys hiking hungover (Seriously. About 2/3 of the trail.) and Victus, who hiked the 100 Mile Wilderness in 3 days.
Hmm...other fun facts. It hailed a couple days ago! After, it cleared up and was beautiful, but the hail balls looked like snow on the ground for about half an hour. Luckily we found a shelter to hide out in. :)
As for right now, just chilling at Lake Shore House in Monson, ME. Working for stay and getting clean! The owner is absolutely wonderful and spirited. Part of the workstay is already paid because we found her daughter's hamster. :D
Nighttime and happy trails to all!
P. S. Emily's trail name is Toast. For now, I remain Cat.
I am super impressed by not only your adventures so far but also by the name of your blog (which I couldn't agree with more, by the way...). And while "Cat" has a nice ring to it, I eagerly await the updates about how your trail name evolves as the trip progresses. Can't wait to hear more!
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Personally - I love the name "Cat" as well as Catherine - it is God ordained. I am so glad you are having a wonderful time - I wrote on Toast's blog before I knew about yours - talked to Rich this morning and gave him your blog address - hopefully he will check it out - he is in Albania right now - you should post on his blog at www.theboxwiththegoldenhandcuffs.com Also, Kent Treptow the guy going across country on foot - his blog is at www.kenttreptow.com - this is a big year for "life changing journies"
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ReplyDeleteDude KITTY! I am so freaking impressed with you two!! You've already hiked a mountain and all I've hiked is a pile of laundry...make that two. But seriously, all of those people you're meeting must be inspiring! Especially the intoxicated hikers! haha I love Pepster...wow you guys are just powerhouses and i am so freaking excited to hear about the rest of everything. EVERYTHING!! YAY!! I bet fourth of july must've been interesting from that high up.
ReplyDeleteMUCHOS love to you!! and Toast! (why Toast? dare i ask?)
<3 EM
Love your blog. I've read Emily's blog too. I'm Mr.Z's mom, and he and Achilles hiked with Pepster as well. In fact, they ended his section hike and went into town to celebrate with him. I promised to forward Pepster pictures of Achilles, my son (Z) and Pepster. Did you happen to get Pepster's e-mail address, or do you know his real name? Or, by chance, did he post a blog anywhere that you know of. I'm trying to track him down. LOL Good luck on your hike, and keep writing! :-) My e-mail address is gmatoni@kc.rr.com, and Cory's (Mr. Z's) sites are http://www.trailjournals.com/MrZ and http://mratthru-hiker.blogspot.com Happy Trails to both you and Emily.
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