here, there, everywhere

hip 2 b square


my new theme song.

in this moment

So many moving targets in my life right now. Trying to reclaim balance and seeking appropriate help to do so. Finished the trail, but life continues to be a series of ups and downs. Still able to notice small and sacred moments of beauty and grace. Big work ahead, but first, a trip to the grocery for bananas. Also, I want to see this and this.

full circle

Made it back to my car at Amicalola Falls State Park yesterday, and camped overnight in the park since any driving would require a new battery. Brought the trip full circle to stay one more night in the thru-hiker shelter - same spot I spent the night the eve of starting the journey to Maine. Made a fire, cooked trail food (no, I'm not sick of it yet) and sipped a cup of hot cocoa. Heard a screech owl, and spent a cold, but satisfying night reflecting on how I've changed in the past six months. We're on the road again today, Gracie resting her head on my lap every now and then. Stopped in at the Hiawassee library to figure out where we'll be spending the night and post a quick update. Headed to Tennessee eventually. Peace and blessings!
Kel

endings and beginnings

I summitted Katahdin Sunday, October 11th. A beautiful day as we started the climb and great views from the Tablelands, but the weather turned for the worse the closer we got to the summit. Atop Katahdin we braved 50+mph wind gusts, driving sleet, and a wind chill of 0-6 degrees. Without a doubt, the coldest and most dangerous weather experienced on the hike. We spent no more than 15 minutes on the summit, getting a few photos and exchanging congratulatory hugs and high fives. There was hardly time for tears, though I did shed a few. The descent was slow and very, very cold. We were walking directly into the wind gusts and sleet for awhile. Willow and Tim (Mr. Willow) were behind me, and I kept looking back to make sure they were there - my safety net, if you will. My glasses were worthless. I covered most of my face with my pirate bandanna, and shielded my eyes from the sleet with one gloved hand, switching hands when one got too cold. By the time we got back to the Tablelands, the storm cloud had moved on, and we could see the summit, clear as day, with a brilliant blue sky all around. My friend Phil was waiting for me at Katahdin Stream Campground, and it was awesome to have an Austin connection there. I'm in Harpers Ferry, WV today, headed back to Georgia (by car, not on foot!) with a side trip planned to visit family in Tennessee. Thanks so much for all the support. I'll post more details and photos after I get home. Peace, and love, y'all!

hundred mile wilderness

I am finally at the point where it feels appropriate to say "we're almost done." With about 115 miles left to go, though, I don't know if I'm ready to be done. These past couple of weeks in Maine have been extraordinary. Physically demanding, incredibly beautiful, cold, wet, and best of all, we've been hiking with some really wonderful people. I've seen Moose and heard Loons for the first time. We forded two rivers that were almost knee deep. I don't have much else to say. We're taking a day off in Monson before heading into the "wilderness," then I drop Gracie with a dog sitter at the border of Baxter State Park (no dogs allowed in BSP) and make the rest of my journey with my fellow hikers. Thanks for all the love and support. This journey has given me so much, and I am so grateful. On to Katahdin! Photo was taken of us atop Old Blue Mountain.

Is it Maine, or ME?

Greetings from Rangeley, Maine. Apparently, Maine is a great place to find homemade pie, much to my delight. Just a few more towns/pie opportunities to go. One of the local restaurants has a dish just for dogs, and Miss Gracie will be getting her very own town treat tonight, a great followup to the Moose-shaped dog cookie I got her at the outfitter yesterday. Thanks, Michael, for helping support our town food habit! I decided to take a day off here to work through the rest of the cold symptoms (which are much improved already) and realign my hiking schedule with the post office hours in Caratunk, ME. Have been enjoying the trail A LOT these past few days. Had a wonderful night camping with Willow, who I hadn't seen since Virginia, then a great solo night at a pond-side campsite where I saw my first moose, the stars and firewood were abundant, and Gracie joined me for a quiet sunrise canoe ride around the pond. As we get closer to Katahdin, the need to enjoy each moment for what it is grows stronger, and the need to summit Katahdin diminishes. I know today that it will be great to reach the peak, because it will bring closure to the journey, but not absolutely necessary. My life won't change for having climbed that one mountain, it is just another part of the path, and while it is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, it is not the end. There will be other challenges ahead, some of my choosing, some not. I've gained so much from this experience already, and one of the best things I'm experiencing at times these days is a real comfort and peace as I walk. As the old hymn goes, "...it is well, it is well, with my soul"
May all be well with you, my friends.
Peace
Kel

Another ride on the rollercoaster

Another crazy week on the AT for us. When we got to Glencliff, Journey told me it was time for her to go home. I was really sad, and already anxious about New Hampshire, so felt like I was starting all over again when Gracie and I hiked out on our own the next day. Still, I have so much respect for Journey, who continued to hike with one broken and one sprained finger, and had the courage to honor that voice that said it was time to go home. It is hard to part ways with trail family, but I know I have a friend for life and am grateful for the time we spent on the trail together.
Our second day out of Glencliff, we hiked up Little Haystack, on our way to Franconia Ridge. Over halfway up the tough, tree-lined climb, I was near tears and wondering why I was still doing this. Had I really hiked over 1800 miles for yet another tough climb, with nothing to see but rocks and trees? Full of frustration, I kept climbing, and soon, we were above treeline, and I was crying again, awestruck by the view. Yes, I walked 1800 miles for this! Franconia Ridge is now my favorite view on the AT. Gracie and I stayed on the ridgeline for awhile, and caught up to Luke and his father, Matthew on Mt. Lafayette. We ended up hiking together all the way to Pinkham Notch, then I hiked on while they went into Gorham to rest.
Before we reached Pinkham Notch, we all summitted Mt. Washington, highest peak in New Hampshire. The highlight of Mt. Washington was running into fellow Austinite Carrie Williams on the summit. Crazy coincidence and a total delight!
The next night, we did a work for stay at Carter Notch Hut, and were reunited with The Saint and Aquafresh, and a host of other fellow northbounders. Good times. Now we're resting up in Gorham, with probably three to three and a half weeks left until Katahdin. The New Hampshire rocks have been so rough that Gracie is wearing her booties, and quite happily. Everyone seems to have converged in Gorham. It's like a hiker family reunion. I still miss Journey, but have not lacked for companions on the trail. We've also been blessed with some surprise care packages. Mucho thanks to Denali & Gorgonzola's friend Dave for letting me use his laptop for an update. Internet is hard to come by here. Thanks for all the good wishes and support! Onward to Maine!
Kel & Gracie