Wed, Mar 16, 2016 Breakfast at the lodge!  The reputation of this meal had made its way to the trail and I was not disappointed.  Eggs and French toast.  I went back for seconds and thirds.  I did not leave hungry for my day at The Coop. I had hoped for a good WiFi connection […]

Tue Mar 15, 2016 Today we would be getting ever closer to Fontana Lake as the day moved on.  It was a dry, clear, sunny and quiet day.  Notwithstanding the numbers at the shelter the night before, Theo and I were alone on our hike as we were 99.9% of the time.  It was so peaceful […]

Mon, Mar 14, 2016 Into the next day of dirt and trees and leaves and sunlight with loyal Theo. I think “loyal” and he thinks “FOOD!”  “Food” and “scratches” – that’s what I am.  Except for the fact that I know how tied in he is to my emotional state.  He hates it when I […]

Sun, Mar 13, 2016 We all knew we had a significant climb leaving the NOC.  As I write, my bones wish they were beginning a climb – heading somewhere, around a bend to a view unknown, over terrain unknown, muscles straining against gravity to gain the summit: Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue I’ve […]

Sat, Mar 12, 2016 The morning goal was to get to the NOC as soon as possible and mail off my phone.  Theo and I took a peek out of the shelter as we awoke, dug into a quick breakfast, packed up and left.  The difficult descent from yesterday was ahead of Journeyman and others […]

Fri, Mar 11, 2016 AWOL notes tell me I met “Quicksand” this morning.  The Guide tells me also that there were some fairly steep ups and downs this day.  I remember having pretty good traction for the trail – that is, I was moving along and making pretty good miles without unusual fatigue.  Pictures tell […]

Thu, Mar 10, 2016 Breakfast wherever; sunrise on return; finish packing; check around; Theo’s last nap. I was across the street by the manager’s office by 10:00 a.m. in time for the shuttle to the trail.  I did not examine the hiker box outside the door to the office – didn’t need to and it […]

My dear followers: I hope you will be able to stay with me all the way to Katahdin. I am new to blogging and am unsure about the appropriate length and frequency of posts.  Many people have wondered where the rest of my TRAIL DAYS are and some seem eager to have me post more […]

Wed, Mar 9, 2016 With a second zero in Franklin, I was getting to be a regular in town.  I spent a good bit of time on logistics this last day and I took a picture of a long list of items including “bounce (how long hold?).”  I must have purchased  food to last a […]

Tue, Mar 8, 2016 I went up the hill onto Franklin’s Main Street for breakfast this first morning.  There was a coffee shop open on the south side of the street and Outdoor 76 on the north side, noted for excellent advice on hiker footwear.  I was told there was a good restaurant a half […]