Sorry it's been such a long time since my last post! I didn't get much computer time in Rangeley, even though we were there for a few days. And even right now, I'm using it all up on the ever-enticing Facebook. Sorry.
BUT OH MAN, HIKING IS AWESOME!
For starters, right now I am in Gorham, NH. Home sweet homestate. It felt so good to hike over the border a couple of days ago! And the day before, we hiked the *scary music cue* Mahoosic Notch! It's basically a playground of huge boulders that you have to climb under, around, and over. It's only a mile loong, but it's supposedly the hardest mile of the whole Appalachian Trail. It was a ton of fun, but only because it was sunny! We were going to hike it the day before, but 10 minutes into the hike Emily got a bee sting on her finger. :(
Another notable sad thing. We hiked ALL the way through Maine and didn't see a single moose. Darn you, Maine!
We stopped in Bethel, ME about a week ago with some friends we caught up with (Kool Breeze and Tortoiseshell) at a really nice campground and showered and washed our clothes, but most importantly...we watched Harry Potter 7, Part 2!!! It was amazing. I spent an hour after just realizing that a large part of my childhood is over. I had been wating for that moment since I picked up the Sorcerer's Stone off the shelves in Mr. Dunbar's classrrom in 3rd grade. Wow.
Back to all this hiking business...
A few days before Bethel, we stopped at Dunn Notch where there were some gorgeous waterfalls on a side trail. So we swam in one of the pools below the Upper Falls for about an hour and a half before continuing on our hike that day. It was cold, but wonderful.
Ummm....weather. Today and yesterday have been gorgeous, but it has been heavily raining on and off for the past week and a half. Ugh. But no worries, only the boots got wet. And now they are dry!
Views. Old Blue Mountain was beautiful, and from there we could see many mountains ahead, including Baldpate, and Mount Washington (which we will climb 2 or 3 days from today).
Berries. We stoppped and filled two Gatorade bottles full of blueberries on Bemis Mt., and yesterday picked blueberries, raspberries, and a few elusive blackberries!
Anyway, sorry I'm such a slow typer, but my time's up and we've got hiking to do!!!
Happy trails and love to all,
Cat
Friday, August 12, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Katahdin and 100 Mile Wilderness: done!
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.
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.
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