- On Saturday the Wife and I went to witness and celebrate the baptism of the Wife's niece's little girl. I celebrated a bit too hard I think. I ended up eating too much junk. Bread, Ice cream (with M&Ms), macaroni and cheese, and a cookie ... all unnecessary carbohydrates.
- This morning, after a very restless sleep (I think I dreamt I was awake all night) I woke up with a headache and several random muscle aches. I imagine this is what a hangover feels like. Can you get a hangover by eating too many carbs?
- I walked two times this week. I was going to walk three times but the heat and humidity in the middle of the week kept me inside. I ended up walking 12.3 miles (19.8 km).
During one of my walks a saw what I thought was a murder hornet (actually an Asian Giant Hornet). It was huge - between one and two inches in length. A little Googling convinced me that I had not seen a murder hornet but what I saw was actually an Eastern Cicada Killer. I'm glad I'm not a cicada.Not a murder hornet but an eastern cicada killer. - I was reminded of something this weekend. During one of my walks back in February or March I had crossed an enclosed pedestrian bridge. At the end of the bridge was a sensor activated sliding door centered on the end of the bridge. After you pass through the door into a building you turn left and exit that building. I turned left and saw what I thought was an open sliding door like the one I'd just walked through. I ended up walking full speed into a remarkably clear pane of glass. Instead of one sliding door, it was actually two normal swinging doors with glass between the doors. I left a large smudge of the glass at face height (and bent up my glasses). No one saw me which was good because I was a bit embarrassed (which may explain why I didn't post about it earlier). I left hoping I wasn't on a security camera blooper reel.
So, I crossed that bridge again a couple weeks ago and I noticed that there was a smudge on the glass at about face height. I'm not sure if it's my smudge. That would imply that the glass wasn't cleaned since early spring. If it wasn't my smudge then I'm not the only clumsy person walking into that same clean pane of glass. Nothing like schadenfreude to make me feel better.
Homer's Travels
Sunday, August 07, 2022
Weekly Ephemera #27
Thursday, August 04, 2022
Photograph: "Juxtaposition"
Tuesday, August 02, 2022
Photograph: "Eyes: Traditional And Contemporary"
Sunday, July 31, 2022
Weekly Ephemera #26
After taking off a week to reassess things after my aborted attempt at finishing the Appalachian Trail (AT), this week I restarted my routine.
- On Thursday I went out to lunch with my Mom. We tried out a fast casual place called Foodies. It was good enough. The ice cream afterwards was yum.
- I restarted walking going out for three walks this week. I started out slow with short walks as my legs were still a little achy from my AT experience. Despite walking less than seven miles each outing, I managed to reach my twenty mile weekly goal I'd set earlier this year. In the end I walked 20.7 miles (33.3 km).
This coming week is going to be a really hot one with temps above 95℉ (35℃) with heat indexes substantially higher. I haven't decided what I am going to do. I will either do very short walks (5 miles or less), catch up on some shows in our cool basement, or a combination of both.
Friday, July 29, 2022
Book: Jack Weatherford's "Genghis Khan And The Making Of The Modern World"
Friday, July 22, 2022
Relief, Disappointment, And The End Of A Dream
Over the past week my feelings have fluctuated from relief of being off the trail, wondering if I gave up too quickly, and mourning for the end of my AT dream.
Every SOBO I ran into talked about how beautiful Maine was and the pictures I took supported the veracity of their statements. I'd been looking forward to the ponds, rivers, and mountain views that would be the crown of my AT adventure. But this was my third strike. I tried three times to complete the AT (2017, 2019, and this year). There will not be a fourth. And I mourn my loss.
I told other hikers that this was my last big solo outing. I can't say I'm not disappointed.. But my adventures will become our adventures and the Wife and I will explore the world together and that will make it all better.
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
Fifty-Nine
I was going to celebrate my fifty-ninth birthday by hiking into Kingfield, ME and spending a zero day there but instead I will clean the kitchen and bathrooms.
Happy Birthday to me.
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
Appalachian Trail: Gorham, NH (Rattle River Hostel, US 2) To Grafton Notch (ME 26) … And Back
Last week I was back on the Appalachian Trail (AT). I was hopeful. I was excited to be back on the trail. I was looking forward to seeing and experiencing all the AT and Maine had to offer. Let's see what actually happened.
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Crossing the Androscoggin River. |
The trail started out similar to how I remembered it: a little rocky, a little rooty, not too difficult. That changed quickly. The rocks and roots became more numerous. I was slowed down quite a bit but it was still within my AT hiking experience. Near the top of Flat Mountain the views reminded me of what I enjoyed the most about AT. The weather was perfect and the sky was blue and the mountains went on forever. I was also starting to meet other hikers, both south bound (SOBO) and north bound (NOBO).
Not far from this first summit I passed by the 1,900 mile (3,057 km) mark. If I'd continued back in 2019 this would have gotten me exited. This time it didn't have the meaning it would have had.
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It started out so innocent looking. |
Despite all the foot staring I still noticed the views at Page Pond and the summits I crossed on the trail. This first day was a preview of what was coming ahead in Maine and I couldn't wait.
When I reached my goal for the day, Gentian Pond Shelter and Campsite, I was exhausted. I know I had long, tired days in the south but this felt different. This was beyond normal exhaustion. I could hardly walk. I was too tired to do anything. I tried to make a meal but that didn't go well as I'd rather just lay on the floor of the shelter and moan.
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Page Pond. |
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My first day. 11.7 miles (18.8 km) |
Day 2 - Normally I was the first to get up. The Sun was rising at 5:15am so I saw me getting up soon after. That didn't happen. I stayed in my sleeping bag until other people got up at 5:40am I ate breakfast, packed up my gear, and headed out to my next goal around 9.6 miles (15.4 km) away. Between me and that goal were Mount Success, Mount Carlo, and several versions of Goose Eye Mountain (west, east, north).
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Gentian Pond in the morning sun. |
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Mountains as far as you can see. |
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My last state on the AT (#14) |
With the decision to stop at Carlo Col Shelter, I missed my goal of the day by over 4 miles. This was not a good sign and I decided to get off before Andover at Grafton Notch. I figured I could get there in two 7 mile (11 km) days.
That night I was joined by other hikers and a gaggle of fifteen plus pre-teen French speaking school girls (I presume they were from Quebec).
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My second day. 5.2 miles (8.4 km) |
Day 3 - Over the past few days SOBOs kept mentioning the Mahoosuc Notch and the Mahoosuc Arm. I looked it up in my guide book and saw the description (Not sure how I had missed it during my planning). It said: "Most difficult or fun mile of the the AT. Make way through jumbled pit of boulders." *sigh* My goal for the day had been a campsite between the Mahoosuc Notch descent and the Mahoosuc Arm climb roughly at the 7 mile point. I changed my goal to make it easier.
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Mountains, trees, and bogs. |
I looked at the miles ahead of me and decided, instead of the two sevens I'd planned, I would do three 5 mile (8 km) sections instead. My restriction was food but … I wasn't doing a very good job of eating all my daily food so extending this section to five days instead of four wasn't a problem.
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Did I hike over there … I think so. |
I arrived at the shelter at 12:30pm and just slept and forced myself to eat all afternoon. Forced because I had zero appetite … no hiker hunger.
A SOBO stopped here for the evening too. He talked about how beautiful Maine was and how much he enjoyed it. All I could think was how bad my body felt and wondered just how deep of an exhaustion a person could bear.
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My third day. 4.4 miles (7.1 km) |
Day 4 - I woke up in a mild panic. I'd been dreaming of going through the Mahoosuc Notch and falling to my doom. Not a good way to start your day. I had two days to go to get off the trail and my subconscious and conscious minds were both concerned about getting off alive.
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Surprised they actually gave us rebar steps. |
To get through this part of the AT it is best to put your poles in your pack since you will need free hands to climb. I put my poles away and started rock hopping until I caught up with a NOBO from Georgia named Trouble. We talked a little while we slowly made our way up, over, under, and around large boulders. We both said it was nice to have someone to do this part with so there was someone to call 911 if the other got injured.
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The start of the boulder jumble of Mahoosuc notch. |
Despite the potential danger, the rock hop was pretty cool. Between some of the larger boulders you could still see ice and snow. When you walked by cave-like openings it felt like you were walking in front of an air conditioner. We stopped at an accessible stream between the rocks and had our fill of water so cold it almost gave us brain freeze. Was it difficult? Yes, this wasn't hiking, it was rock climbing. Was it fun too? I'd have to say yes. One thing I am sure of … I would never try to do this in the rain.
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The arrow says go in but we climbed around. |
Trouble and I arrived at the Speck Pond Shelter and Campsite soon after. Another hiker showed up and briefly disappeared. When he reappeared his hair was wet. Apparently he likes visiting ponds. He likes to put on goggles and stick his head in the ponds he visits to see if there is anything interesting. He then moved on ... I presume to another pond to stick his head in.
Having someone with me through this section helped a lot. Trouble was continuing on to Grafton Notch. I was too tired to continue on and spent the night in the shelter. We thanked each other and said our goodbyes. I think she will make it to Katahdin.
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My fourth day. 5.1 miles (8.2 km) |
Day 5 - So … this four day stage turned into a five day stage and covered 10 miles (16 km) less than I'd planned. This didn't go as I expected.
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Speck Pond. |
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On top of Old Speck Mountain. |
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My last white blaze. |
My shuttle pick up time was at 2:00pm and I was there at 11:30am. I sat with some SOBOs and told them about the Mahoosuc notch coming ahead for them. It was more of a "It's not so bad" talk. They were all young and I was feeling old.
My shuttle picked me up early just before the rain returned and I was dropped off in Gorham.
This … whatever this was … was over.
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My last day on trail. 4.6 miles (7.4 km) |
Total Distance*: 1,927.0 Miles (3,101.2 km)
Section Distance: 32.0 Miles (51.5 km)
Section Elevation Up: 11,632 ft (3,545 m)
Section Elevation Down: 10,778 ft (3,285 m) |
Monday, July 11, 2022
Another State In The Rear View ... Another Year Together
Sunday, July 10, 2022
Here We Go Again ...
The next two weeks, more or less, are going to be hell. The terrain will be difficult and I will be out of shape but I'm going to try my best to push through. The days are long and my miles are relatively short at the beginning so I can take my time and enjoy where I am. The description of the last three hundred miles of the AT sounds awesome with mountain views, camping near ponds, fording rivers, and even a two person ferry.
I avoided checking the weather forecast for Maine until this week and I was pleasantly surprised. Highs around 75℉ (~23℃) and evening lows around 50℉ (~10℃). No rain for the first half of the first stage with a 50% chance of rain on the back half. Since I will be hiking at elevation the temps will most likely be a few degrees cooler - perfect hiking weather.
My next stop is Andover, ME. It will be a short one night stay at a hostel (most likely) with a post office resupply. See you then!