Sorry I haven't posted in so long!
I finished the
500 mile hike across northern Spain in a little less than one month. It
was a fabulous spiritual, religious, and cultural journey where I made
lasting friendships (I hope!) and learned about myself as well. I stayed
in many monestaries and convents and shared meals in churches. My
favorite places were Samos, one of Europe's oldest monasteries, and
Saint Nicolas, a no electricity hostel run by Italians (food was
great!). There was also a free wine fountain in the La Rioja region,
known for it's hot climate and fruits and vineyards.
After
I arrived in Santiago and prayed to St James' remains, I set out an
extra 88km to Finisterra. Finisterrra in latin means, "end of land"
because it was believed this is where the earth ended. It was also the
closest I'll be to Maine for a while!
I activated my
Eurorail pass and took a train to Pamplona where I met up with friends
for San Fermin's Festival aka Running of the Bulls!!The festival was
huge- with everyone from babies to grandparents enjoying the party. I
didn't run....maybe next time!
Next I took an overnight
train to Paris and explored Musee d'Orsay with works of Van Gogh and
Monet and more. I went to the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Sacre Coer and
Arc de Triomph. I enjoyed the fabulous French capital and especially
their crepes! I was only in Paris 12 hours but will be returning in
August! That night I took an overnight train to Munich, Germany. This
Bavarian city lived up to it's reputation of beer, schnitzel,
ladderhosen, and did I mention beer?
After recovering
from the German beer, I took a train to Vienna, Austria. Though it
rained a lot while I was there, I really enjoyed the city. I visited the
Hapsburg's summer palace, the Spanish Riding School which trains
Lipizzner horses, ate apple strudle and weiner schnitzel. Vienna is home
to Mozart and the waltz too!
I took another overnight
train to Krakow, Poland last Friday night. I'm really started to enjoy
the trains, especially the overnight ones; they are cheaper than a
hostel and no time wasted! My grandfather's family is from Poland, so I
met my distant relatives and went to a Polish wedding! It was fabulous
and wild! There was lots of Polish vodka involved, TONS of food,
dancing, drinking games, a flaming cake, and they even tossed the bride
and groom in the air a few times!
After recovering from
the vodka (seeing a trend??), we explored the beautiful historic city
of Krakow. I stayed with my relatives in the town of Wronin, Poland,
where there have been Marcineks for years. It's a precious town
surrounded by beet fields. As expected, they are feeding me well and I
am loving the Polish food! We explored a castle, and I tourned Auchswitz
as well.
Next up: Budapest and back south to Italy!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Sunday, June 10, 2012
El Camino de Santiago
Friday, June 8 I started hiking the Camino de Santiago, or Way of St James. I set out from Saint Jean Pied du Port, France and began the 500 mile journey across northern Spain to Santiago de Compestela. The remains of Saint James are buried there and for centuries Catholics from all over Europe have walked there, mostly to pray and be healed. Though there is no officially starting point, most hikers, or pilgrims start just over the border in france, in Saint Jean Pied du Port. The first day is the hardest single day along the entire Camino, according to guide books.
I hiked the first half of the 17 mile day with three Spanish guys, then set off on my own. I didn't want to lug my hiking poles around Europe so I was without them on some really hilly farmland terrain full of sheep, horses and cattle. I stopped at a van and bought some goat cheese because I didn't have any food with me. It was delicious! By noon I was at my destination, roncevalles, Spain. Restaurants near the Camino usually have a pilgrim menu consisting of bread, appetizer, entree, dessert, and wine for around 10€. after dinner I went to church and all the pilgrims were blessed. I barely understood anything though with the mumbling and echoing and the fact it was in Spanish. About 180 pilgrims stayed in Roncevalles that night! There are lots of albergues and refugios along the trail that offer basic bunkbeds for 6-10€
Saturday I was hiking by 630am and hiked with a guy from Sweeden. We missed the turn coming out of a town and ended up walking the road to the next town to meet up with the trail again haha. Again I was at my destination, Zuburi before noon. I decided I need to hike longer miles or I just drink beer all afternoon!
Today I hiked by myself to Pamplona, arriving at 1045am. I explored the famous town and saw the plaza del toros where the running of the bulls finishes. Then we watched the Euro Cup soccer Spain v Italy game. The entire town stopped to watch the game it seems.
Tomorrow I'm going to try to make some big miles! We will see!
I hiked the first half of the 17 mile day with three Spanish guys, then set off on my own. I didn't want to lug my hiking poles around Europe so I was without them on some really hilly farmland terrain full of sheep, horses and cattle. I stopped at a van and bought some goat cheese because I didn't have any food with me. It was delicious! By noon I was at my destination, roncevalles, Spain. Restaurants near the Camino usually have a pilgrim menu consisting of bread, appetizer, entree, dessert, and wine for around 10€. after dinner I went to church and all the pilgrims were blessed. I barely understood anything though with the mumbling and echoing and the fact it was in Spanish. About 180 pilgrims stayed in Roncevalles that night! There are lots of albergues and refugios along the trail that offer basic bunkbeds for 6-10€
Saturday I was hiking by 630am and hiked with a guy from Sweeden. We missed the turn coming out of a town and ended up walking the road to the next town to meet up with the trail again haha. Again I was at my destination, Zuburi before noon. I decided I need to hike longer miles or I just drink beer all afternoon!
Today I hiked by myself to Pamplona, arriving at 1045am. I explored the famous town and saw the plaza del toros where the running of the bulls finishes. Then we watched the Euro Cup soccer Spain v Italy game. The entire town stopped to watch the game it seems.
Tomorrow I'm going to try to make some big miles! We will see!
Thursday, June 7, 2012
A whirlwind week around Spain and Morocco!
The past week and a half have flown by. My mom was visiting so obviously we had to make the most of every minute! It had been over 40 years since my mom had been to Europe.
Monday, May 28-Friday June 1st we were in Granada while I took Spanish classes. We ate lots of tapas, delicous paella, and the best sangria I´ve ever had! We watched Flamenco dancers two nights in a row in Sacramonte- the ancient part of the town of Granada where the Muslims first settled. It's high on a hill and the houses were built into the mountain, caves, so they stay cool. Eventually the upper class Muslims moved to the neighboring hill and built the Alhambra- walled in city of about 6,000 of the upper class. In here is where the palace was built and when Isabel and Ferdanando reconquered Granada they lived part of the year.
Friday we set out for Morocco with my school! The big ferry rocked and people screamed and puked as the huge boat was tossed around. I would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't hungover, but alas, hindsight is 20/20 and at least I didn't puke. We got to Tetouan late and had dinner at the hotel and went to bed.
Saturday our guide took us into Tetouan's "medina," the old part of the city. There were markets full of fresh fruit and also "pick your own live chicken and we will butcher and clean it for you" places. We also got to try on the funny outfits that the farm ladies who live in the hills where. Here was the opposite of the Alhambra, because the Spanish had inhabited Morocco until just 55 years ago (or so I don't remember). After we stuffed ourselves on cous cous, we headed to the industrialized city of Tanger. We checked out their medina, and instead of fruit, they sold fake Louis V bags everywhere lol. To make us feel even more touristy, we paid 1€ to ride a camel!! There were baby camels too, and a baby donkey. The boy said the donkey wasn't for sale so instead I bought a camel leather belt and a fez hat.
Tetouan and Tanger, Morocco
Sunday we went to Chechaouen, a small town in the mountains where all the houses were painted a lovely sky blue, the color for Allah. I learned to weave a rug and we bought a little one. We took the ferry back to Spain and on the way got pretty close to the Rock of Gibraltar (only place in europe with monkeys!).
Chechaoen, Morocco and making a rug!
Tetouan and the Rock of Gibralter
Monday we flew to Barcelona and Tuesday we saw Gaudi´s funky but detailed architecture- including his most famous and still work in progress, the Segrada Familia. We also saw where Pablo Picasso studied art and learned some cool stories about St George and his dragon and about how Catalonians don´t want to be part of Spain.
Gaudi´s funky architeture in Barcelona and La Sagrada Familia
Wednesday we flew to Madrid and took a high speed train to Toledo. I think it´s my favorite town so far. Surrounded by a river and set on a hill, the little town had a cozy feel. They were also celebrating Corpus Christi day which is the biggest day they have all year! It kicked off with a parade and at midnight they shot of fireworks. The square was FULL at midnight- babies to grandparents, it´s clearly a holiday celebrated by all.
Mom left back to Maine today, and I´m at the bus station in Pamplona hoping to make it to Saint Jean Pied du Port tonight to start the Camino de Santiago Saturday. If you haven't heard of the hike, rent The Way with Martin Sheen. It´s about 500 miles long and will take about a month. Piece of cake! (I hope)
Monday, May 28-Friday June 1st we were in Granada while I took Spanish classes. We ate lots of tapas, delicous paella, and the best sangria I´ve ever had! We watched Flamenco dancers two nights in a row in Sacramonte- the ancient part of the town of Granada where the Muslims first settled. It's high on a hill and the houses were built into the mountain, caves, so they stay cool. Eventually the upper class Muslims moved to the neighboring hill and built the Alhambra- walled in city of about 6,000 of the upper class. In here is where the palace was built and when Isabel and Ferdanando reconquered Granada they lived part of the year.
Flamenco dancers in a cave
Wednesday we went to the Alhambra and it was amazing. The gardens, the palace with gold on the walls and ceilings, fountains, pools, the view of the city, the tower where the soldiers kept watch for the Christians, jail cells, etc. It was awesome what the Muslims accomplished way back in the 1400´s.
The Alhambra
Saturday our guide took us into Tetouan's "medina," the old part of the city. There were markets full of fresh fruit and also "pick your own live chicken and we will butcher and clean it for you" places. We also got to try on the funny outfits that the farm ladies who live in the hills where. Here was the opposite of the Alhambra, because the Spanish had inhabited Morocco until just 55 years ago (or so I don't remember). After we stuffed ourselves on cous cous, we headed to the industrialized city of Tanger. We checked out their medina, and instead of fruit, they sold fake Louis V bags everywhere lol. To make us feel even more touristy, we paid 1€ to ride a camel!! There were baby camels too, and a baby donkey. The boy said the donkey wasn't for sale so instead I bought a camel leather belt and a fez hat.
Tetouan and Tanger, Morocco
Sunday we went to Chechaouen, a small town in the mountains where all the houses were painted a lovely sky blue, the color for Allah. I learned to weave a rug and we bought a little one. We took the ferry back to Spain and on the way got pretty close to the Rock of Gibraltar (only place in europe with monkeys!).
Chechaoen, Morocco and making a rug!
Tetouan and the Rock of Gibralter
Monday we flew to Barcelona and Tuesday we saw Gaudi´s funky but detailed architecture- including his most famous and still work in progress, the Segrada Familia. We also saw where Pablo Picasso studied art and learned some cool stories about St George and his dragon and about how Catalonians don´t want to be part of Spain.
Gaudi´s funky architeture in Barcelona and La Sagrada Familia
Wednesday we flew to Madrid and took a high speed train to Toledo. I think it´s my favorite town so far. Surrounded by a river and set on a hill, the little town had a cozy feel. They were also celebrating Corpus Christi day which is the biggest day they have all year! It kicked off with a parade and at midnight they shot of fireworks. The square was FULL at midnight- babies to grandparents, it´s clearly a holiday celebrated by all.
Mom left back to Maine today, and I´m at the bus station in Pamplona hoping to make it to Saint Jean Pied du Port tonight to start the Camino de Santiago Saturday. If you haven't heard of the hike, rent The Way with Martin Sheen. It´s about 500 miles long and will take about a month. Piece of cake! (I hope)
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Granada, España
I made it! Last Sunday I landed in Madrid, and after a 5 hour bus ride, arrived at my home for 2 weeks- Granada. I´m taking one on one Spanish three hours per day and learning a lot! Granada is beautiful....and everything is so cheap! For a glass of wine, chips, olives, and your choice of rather large tapa, pay only 2 eeuros, less than $3. Really nice bottles of wine are about $10 at the grocery store and I bought a dress for only $12!
Alpuharras- nestled in the Sierra Nevadas, it is the highest city in Spain
pork curing!
Hiking to the Castle (el castillo)
atop El Castillo with the Sierra Nevadas in the background
I was a little jet legged this week but I promise I will post more next week!
out for tapas with my classmates from Holland
There is a lot of history here in Granada; it was the last
place the Moors lived before finally being conquered by Queen Isabel
and King Fernando. The Moors built their palace here and it still
stands- the Alhambra. My mom arrives today for 10 days so we will visit
it last this week. Yesterday I went on a field trip with my language
school to Alpuharras- little pueblos high in the Sierra Nevada. We got a
tour of a pork curing factory enjoyed some authentic paella, and hiked
up to an old castle!
I was a little jet legged this week but I promise I will post more next week!
Saturday, May 12, 2012
The next adventure
One week from today I will be on an all night flight to Spain! My first two weeks will be spent taking one on one Spanish lessons in Granada, then my mom is coming to visit! We are planning on checking out Morocco. After she leaves, I'll be spending about a month hiking the 800k on the Camino de Santiago across northern Spain. It's a Catholic pilgrimage; the movie The Way is about it, so watch it and see what I'll be doing! After that, my cousin Paige is meeting me in Pamplona for Running of the Bulls. August my best friend Kelsey (she visited me on the AT too!) will be meeting me in Italy for a week with our sorority sister Jessie. Those are the only things I have planned, the rest will be going with the flow!
I'm currently home in Machias, first time in 6 months. I left St John May 2, and flew to Tucson to meet my Dad who was there for a conference. After a few days of hiking and eating Chipotle (my favorite!), we took the train to New Orleans (luckily we scored a sleeper car!). It was my first time in NOLA and the jazz music was fabulous as was the food- oysters, gumbo, beignets! Then it was back on the train and north to Maine! My island blood isn't used to the chilliness up here!
Bourbon Street
I'm currently home in Machias, first time in 6 months. I left St John May 2, and flew to Tucson to meet my Dad who was there for a conference. After a few days of hiking and eating Chipotle (my favorite!), we took the train to New Orleans (luckily we scored a sleeper car!). It was my first time in NOLA and the jazz music was fabulous as was the food- oysters, gumbo, beignets! Then it was back on the train and north to Maine! My island blood isn't used to the chilliness up here!
Bourbon Street
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
A year later...
Yesterday marked one year since starting the Appalachian Trail. To celebrate, I decide to embark in a solo hike to reflect about the past year and all the trials and triumphs I experienced along the trail.
I'm living in St John, USVI for the winter, and had most of the hikes on the small island but one: The Johnny Horn trail. I set out and began hitchhiking to the east side of the island where the hikes begins. Three rides later, I finally started walking. I brought only a few granola bars (yes I still enjoy Oats and Honey bars even though I ate them everyday on the AT) a camera, and lots of water (it's 80 degrees and very humid here). The trail was very different than the AT.
Below is a picture of the beginning of the trail, walking along a beach where sea turtles nest.
A mile later the trail begins to climb to an old plantation owner's estate. This is the view from the estate looking down on Waterlemon Cay, a popular snorkeling spot, below.
I continued hiking, up up and up! Another viewpoint
The trail intersects the Brown Bay Trail so I took that back down to sea level and to Brown Bay. I spend nearly an hour exploring this large, unmaintained ruin and imagining what the different rooms were used for.
Back up and down again, and a break at another small ruin with stairs to nowhere.
Though I only saw four other hikers, there were a few animals along the trail- goats, mongoose, little lizards, birds, and termite nests in trees.
Makes me want to go for another long walk in the woods.....maybe next summer...PCT?
I'm living in St John, USVI for the winter, and had most of the hikes on the small island but one: The Johnny Horn trail. I set out and began hitchhiking to the east side of the island where the hikes begins. Three rides later, I finally started walking. I brought only a few granola bars (yes I still enjoy Oats and Honey bars even though I ate them everyday on the AT) a camera, and lots of water (it's 80 degrees and very humid here). The trail was very different than the AT.
Below is a picture of the beginning of the trail, walking along a beach where sea turtles nest.
I continued hiking, up up and up! Another viewpoint
The trail intersects the Brown Bay Trail so I took that back down to sea level and to Brown Bay. I spend nearly an hour exploring this large, unmaintained ruin and imagining what the different rooms were used for.
Though I only saw four other hikers, there were a few animals along the trail- goats, mongoose, little lizards, birds, and termite nests in trees.
Makes me want to go for another long walk in the woods.....maybe next summer...PCT?
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
What I am up to now...
Hey everyone!
It's been a while, but I am back!
After the hike, I waited tables at the Jordan Pond House in Acadia National Park until the end of October. I did a slideshow presentation about the AT at the Newport Library with a good turnout and Bangor Daily News also interviewed me and did a color piece! http://bangordailynews.com/2011/09/21/outdoors/machias-woman-completes-thru-hike-of-appalachian-trail/
Early November I went to Kentucky to visit my grandparents (Grandpa is 93!) November 11th I fly south- to the Virgin Islands! I am waitressing at a restaurant on St John called Morgan's Mango, living with friends from Bar Harbor. St John is beautiful. I've been scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, fishing, hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, boating, and just relaxing on the beach. Lots of friends have visited- which is a bit draining since I have to wake up early, do fun things, then work, then go out at night, repeat. All the locals in town are very friendly, always saying, "Good morning" not just, "Hello". That's something I intend to continue doing.
The Baths, Virgin Gorda
I'm not sure how long I will be down here. I'd like to go to Europe this summer, we will see!!
With a big Mahi Mahi! YUM
It's been a while, but I am back!
After the hike, I waited tables at the Jordan Pond House in Acadia National Park until the end of October. I did a slideshow presentation about the AT at the Newport Library with a good turnout and Bangor Daily News also interviewed me and did a color piece! http://bangordailynews.com/2011/09/21/outdoors/machias-woman-completes-thru-hike-of-appalachian-trail/
Early November I went to Kentucky to visit my grandparents (Grandpa is 93!) November 11th I fly south- to the Virgin Islands! I am waitressing at a restaurant on St John called Morgan's Mango, living with friends from Bar Harbor. St John is beautiful. I've been scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, fishing, hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, boating, and just relaxing on the beach. Lots of friends have visited- which is a bit draining since I have to wake up early, do fun things, then work, then go out at night, repeat. All the locals in town are very friendly, always saying, "Good morning" not just, "Hello". That's something I intend to continue doing.
The Baths, Virgin Gorda
Using my head! on a paddleboard
Christmas and my birthday were different down here- palm trees and coconut trees were decorated! New Year's was a big celebration. Rum and other liquor are the only things down here that are affordable. Grapes are $15 per bag! Guess that's the price of living in paradise! I haven't met Kenny Chesney yet, though he has a house down here. 
Sunday, August 7, 2011
AT Thru Hiker Answers
Here are the answers to the questions that EVERYONE I met who isn't a hiker asks. See if you can figure out the questions!
1. 2181 miles
2. Georgia to Maine
3. Saw a bear once, it ran away
4. 15 to 25 miles a day
5. 4 to 6 months
6. Mac n cheese, ramen, snickers
7. Stop in towns every 3-4 days to shower and buy more food
8. 25 to 45 lbs
9. A hole in the ground, or a privy
10. No gun
11. Saw snakes, didn't get bit
12. No job, no school, no problem
Can I go now?
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Thank you!
I want to give a big thank you to all you readers who believed in my dream. Your love and support and prayers helped me through the hike and I truly appreciate all the texts and comments and emails. I'll be mailing out thank you picture cards, so if I don't have your address and you want one, email it to me! christiholmes87@gmail.com
The finale
7/30- after a huuuge delicious breakfast at Shaws, I hiked out of Monson. It was quite entertaining to meet all the section hikers who were trying to hike the 100 mile Wilderness. They had huge packs, huge tummys, and were quite discouraged they were having trouble meeting their 15 mile first day goal. I tried to encourage them, saying my first day was 8 miles, but wondered how many would make it. I arrived at the Long Pond Stream shelter and shortly after, my parents hiked in. I set up their tent, and hiked the mike out to their car to carry in Gatorades and PBRs. Kelsey and Kyle were in the parking lot! We hiked into the shelter together and after they set up their tent, we shared some PBRs with the only hikers. I hide a few PBRs behind the privy for my friends who were a day behind me too.
7/31- after saying goodbye, I climbed Barren Mnt (and climbed the sketchy fire tower). I forded a few rivers and hiked near Gulf Hagas ( where there was a cooler of sodas and whoopie pies from the Pine Family!) After 20 miles, I arrived at the Carl Newhall shelter for the night.
8/1- Climbed up White Cap Mnt and got a glimpse of Katahdin! I stopped at the Copper Shelter, where TBone (another hiker who I had trail magiced in the past) gave me some food (since I was getting really low!) I went swimming in the creek out front before pushing on. A bit after I left, I started hearing thunder. Major thunder. I started hiking faster, and the trail was pretty flat, so I made it the 8 miles to Antlers Campsite in 2 hours! I set up my tent when it was sprinkling and enjoyed watching the lightning over the lake. There was a family of loons that sang beautifully at night and the next morning.
8/2- I woke up early since I was still low on food and wanted to get to Whitehouse Landing to resupply. Whitehouse Landing is the only place to resupply in the 100 mile Wilderness. Hikers must hike 1mile off the trail, blow an airhorn, and get picked up by a boat and take across the lake to a camp where you can order a burger or buy supplies. Before I left Antlers, a SOBO section hiker told me he was getting off the trail and gave me all his food! So I didn't end up going to Whitehouse Landing afterall. I went 21 easy miles, through some thunderstorms, and stayed at Rainbow Stream shelter with some section bikers who gave me more food! By now, I hadn't seen a northbound thru hikers for days and wondered if I would be summiting Katahdin alone!
8/3- my last full day on the AT. I had to go 25 miles to get to the base of Katahdin. I was making good time so I stopped at Rainbow Lake and went swimming (and shaved my legs). Atop Rainbow Ledges, I stopped and picked some blueberries. The end of the 100 mile Wilderness brings hikers out to a campground so naturally, I spent an hour eating everything I could get m hands on: burger, bag of chips, whoopie pie, and two ice creams. I then entered Baxter Park and forded the same deep rushing river twice...(first onto an island where the trail went for a mile, then back across the river to the mainland, weird I know...) other than that, the 10 miles to Katahdin Stream Campground where easily and beautiful. I made it to The Birches, a shelter for thru hikers by 6 pm. Earl Grey, Mammoth, Fig and Duck were there and we enjoyed beers around a campfire.
8/4- I woke up, and the other hikers left up Katahdin while I waited for my parents. They arrived and it started raining, so I decided to wait a day when the weather would be better and my other friends I spent the night with at Sugarloaf would be there to summit with me. My parents and I hiked a mile down the AT to Big and Little Niagra Falls and let some trail magic, then spent the night in Millinocket.
8/5- woke up at 4:30 and drove into the park. At The Birches I woke up my friends and told them I'd see them up the trail. My parents and I started hiking up Katahdin at 7, and a bit later, the groups of 8 boys caught up. I told my parents goodbye and ran up the rest of the trail. After crawling up rebar and boulders on all fours, we took a break and waited for Sun Spirit who's dad was slowing her down a bit. They caught up and all 10 of us summited together. After lots of pictures, I convinced Moose to hike down Knife Edge with me. His 11 year old little brother joined us and we had some spectacular views. My parents were waiting at the bottom (they turned around when they saw the rebar) and we went to the AT Cafe- home of the Summit Sundae. 14 scoops of ice cream, a snickers, muffin, M&Ms, banana, whipped cream and cherries. Successful eaters receive a t shirt, the bowl it came in, bumper sticker, and get their name on the wall. Moose and I tried, and after 2 hours and 20 minutes I gave up. By then it was 8:30 pm and I felt horrible, so we went back to the hotel in Millinocket for the night.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Into the 100 mile Wilderness.....
I'm in Monson tonight with my parents, into the 100 mile Wilderness tomorrow! Should be summitting Katahdin Aug 4th if anyone wants to come! 114 miles to go =)
7-20 Went 21.4 miles and crossed into Maine!
7-21 Woke up and scrambled through Mahoosic Notch. It was really neat climbing through rock boulders, but slow going. The books describes it as, "the most difficult, or most fun mile?" I went 15 miles and stayed at Frye Notch Shelter with some SOBOs.
7-22 Went 15 miles to Andover where my parents met me. We went to Bethel for dinner at the pub.
7-23 I slackpacked 13 miles, saw a moose, and Mom and Dad were waiting with lunch trail magic! After feeding a few hikers, including myself, I went another 13 miles until Rangley. Steve Pasquine made the journey out and saw a few moose too!
Moose!
7-24 Left town at noon, and went 12 miles over Saddleback (gorgeous!) and tented with Dreamwalker, and a team called MTFKS: Smurf, Yogi, Baby, Mango, and Clifford. Passed the Piazza Rock shelter, famous for it's two person privy with a cribbage board in between.......yuck haha
7-25 19 miles into the town of Stratton. Took the 0.5 side trail up to the summit of Sugarloaf and it was a gorgeous clear day. MTFKS invited me to stay at their friend's place at Sugarlaof, so we had a fun night with wine and a hot tub!
View from Sugarloaf
7-26 Lounged around the house in Sugarloaf, and set out at 4pm, so I only went 5 miles and stayed at Horns Pond Shelter on top of Bigelow Mt. It started raining, and there was a beautiful double rainbow.
7-27 Went 27.5 miles and passed the 2000 mile mark! WOO HOO! I stayed at Pierce Pond Shelter with Calf and Silver Fox. What a gorgeous shelter! Right on the lake!
7-28 Hiked 0.3 off the trail to Tim Harrison's Cabins, where he prepared his famous 12 pancake breakfast! YUM. I had 14, because a SOBO didn't have his appetite yet, and couldn't eat all his. With a full bellly, I hiked 3 more miles where I rode the ferry across the Kennebec River. Wild Man Dan paddled me across in his canoe! I went 19 more miles and stayed at Moxie Bald Shelter with Calf. I really wanted to go swimming, and just as I was about to dip in, I saw a huge leech! I thought twice, then jumped in anyways =)
7-29 Woke up at 5, and practically ran into Monson. I did 19 miles in 7 hours, including switching shoes twice to ford two rivers. I got trail magic from Strider....mmmm...Mountain Dew. My parents showed up and we drove down some back roads and hiked into the shelter I'll be staying at tomorrow and dropped off some gatorades to other hikers there. My parents are going to hike in and meet me there and spend the night with me! As well as my best friend Kelsey and her boyfriend Kyle!
I'm looking forward to breakfast at Shaw's tomorrow, and Gulf Hagas Sunday! Monday I will hike a bit off the trail and take a boat ride to Whitehouse Landing, where I can eat a burger, and buy more food if I need to. Base of Katahdin Wednesday night, and up Hunt trail Thursday! Watch my Spot!
7-20 Went 21.4 miles and crossed into Maine!
7-21 Woke up and scrambled through Mahoosic Notch. It was really neat climbing through rock boulders, but slow going. The books describes it as, "the most difficult, or most fun mile?" I went 15 miles and stayed at Frye Notch Shelter with some SOBOs.
7-22 Went 15 miles to Andover where my parents met me. We went to Bethel for dinner at the pub.
7-23 I slackpacked 13 miles, saw a moose, and Mom and Dad were waiting with lunch trail magic! After feeding a few hikers, including myself, I went another 13 miles until Rangley. Steve Pasquine made the journey out and saw a few moose too!
7-24 Left town at noon, and went 12 miles over Saddleback (gorgeous!) and tented with Dreamwalker, and a team called MTFKS: Smurf, Yogi, Baby, Mango, and Clifford. Passed the Piazza Rock shelter, famous for it's two person privy with a cribbage board in between.......yuck haha
7-25 19 miles into the town of Stratton. Took the 0.5 side trail up to the summit of Sugarloaf and it was a gorgeous clear day. MTFKS invited me to stay at their friend's place at Sugarlaof, so we had a fun night with wine and a hot tub!
View from Sugarloaf
7-26 Lounged around the house in Sugarloaf, and set out at 4pm, so I only went 5 miles and stayed at Horns Pond Shelter on top of Bigelow Mt. It started raining, and there was a beautiful double rainbow.
7-27 Went 27.5 miles and passed the 2000 mile mark! WOO HOO! I stayed at Pierce Pond Shelter with Calf and Silver Fox. What a gorgeous shelter! Right on the lake!
7-28 Hiked 0.3 off the trail to Tim Harrison's Cabins, where he prepared his famous 12 pancake breakfast! YUM. I had 14, because a SOBO didn't have his appetite yet, and couldn't eat all his. With a full bellly, I hiked 3 more miles where I rode the ferry across the Kennebec River. Wild Man Dan paddled me across in his canoe! I went 19 more miles and stayed at Moxie Bald Shelter with Calf. I really wanted to go swimming, and just as I was about to dip in, I saw a huge leech! I thought twice, then jumped in anyways =)
7-29 Woke up at 5, and practically ran into Monson. I did 19 miles in 7 hours, including switching shoes twice to ford two rivers. I got trail magic from Strider....mmmm...Mountain Dew. My parents showed up and we drove down some back roads and hiked into the shelter I'll be staying at tomorrow and dropped off some gatorades to other hikers there. My parents are going to hike in and meet me there and spend the night with me! As well as my best friend Kelsey and her boyfriend Kyle!
I'm looking forward to breakfast at Shaw's tomorrow, and Gulf Hagas Sunday! Monday I will hike a bit off the trail and take a boat ride to Whitehouse Landing, where I can eat a burger, and buy more food if I need to. Base of Katahdin Wednesday night, and up Hunt trail Thursday! Watch my Spot!
Awards
Go-to trail snack: Oats n Honey granola bars
Favorite Town Food (most missed food): cereal and milk, milkshakes
Best Trail Name: Crop Duster
Worst trail name: Jesus Christ Superstar
Favorite Trail Town: Stroudsburg, next to Delaware Water Gap
Best trail magic from strangers: Bev and Joe in Boiling Springs
Place I'd like to revisit: the Smokeys
Song stuck in my head: Wagon Wheel
Song that sums up my hike: Take me home, country roads
Favorite luxury item in my pack: swimsuit!
Favorite necessary item in my pack: Katadyn water filter
Item in my pack that was first to be mailed home: gators
Biggest disappointment: Shenandoahs- flat with no views and crossed the road eight times a day
Biggest pleasant surprise: the rocks of PA aren't that bad
Cool animals: bears, moose, porcupine, woodpeckers, deer
Hottest/coldest weather: 105 in VA/ 20 in the Smokeys
Most missed luxury: sleeping in a bed
First thing to do when I'm finished: eat sushi!
Favorite Town Food (most missed food): cereal and milk, milkshakes
Best Trail Name: Crop Duster
Worst trail name: Jesus Christ Superstar
Favorite Trail Town: Stroudsburg, next to Delaware Water Gap
Best trail magic from strangers: Bev and Joe in Boiling Springs
Place I'd like to revisit: the Smokeys
Song stuck in my head: Wagon Wheel
Song that sums up my hike: Take me home, country roads
Favorite luxury item in my pack: swimsuit!
Favorite necessary item in my pack: Katadyn water filter
Item in my pack that was first to be mailed home: gators
Biggest disappointment: Shenandoahs- flat with no views and crossed the road eight times a day
Biggest pleasant surprise: the rocks of PA aren't that bad
Cool animals: bears, moose, porcupine, woodpeckers, deer
Hottest/coldest weather: 105 in VA/ 20 in the Smokeys
Most missed luxury: sleeping in a bed
First thing to do when I'm finished: eat sushi!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
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