-
So Long, Farewell
After occupying my attention for half a year and requiring several hours each week, it’s time wrap up the blog. Over the past two weeks, I’ve distilled my closing thoughts and compiled statistics… at least when I haven’t been enjoying time off. Yes, I must admit that Florida sunshine, the Paris Olympics, adventures with family,…
-
Days 152-157: I Can’t Believe I Ate the Whole Thing
2196.7 miles, 3,845,033 steps I’m done! In both senses of the word. I’ve trod every (passable) mile of the AT, and it wore me out. I accomplished the mission. I’m ready to go home. But I shouldn’t get ahead of myself. In fact, I retained that mentality all week. On my way to the finish…
-
Days 146-151: Lakeview Déjà Vu
2082.0 miles, 3,659,300 steps I’m surprised how much this week was a recapitulation of last. I don’t have a ton of unique things to point out. In the interest of getting this out to you sooner, the day-by-day accounts will resemble brief lists of key moments, rather than polished and cohesive narratives. The overall rhythm…
-
Days 139-145: No Pain, No Maine
1976.1 miles, 3,498,416 steps My last entry was a tale of elation and awe. The abundant blessings of inspiring landscapes, immaculate skies, and warm hospitality lifted my spirits. Though the terrain demanded great exertion, the challenge was invigorating and the rewards immediate. As I previously discussed, the characteristics of the White Mountains continue for the…
-
Days 131-138: Great Whites
1883.0 miles, 3,378,138 steps Marvelous. Sublime. Austere. These adjectives come to mind when I reflect on my passage through the White Mountains. Dare I say, they’re even a notch above the majestic Smokies. My powers of description fail to fully articulate the wonder and awe that captured my heart. At a certain point, you have…
-
Days 124-130: Vermont++
1797.8 miles, 3,280,900 steps After crossing the state line into New Hampshire, I found it to be more Vermont-y than its neighbor. All the things I was warned about Vermont — sharp climbs, precipitous cliffs, and muddy bogs — were more prominently featured in New Hampshire. I wanted to reflect this reality in the title:…
-
Days 118-123: Time to Ski-dattle!
1707.5 miles, 3,113,320 steps I am happy to report this 130-mile week a success! I put the hammer down every day to surmount blistering heat, merciless pests, and the desire to collapse onto my back and embrace my inner starfish. Yeah, this week drained my stamina, sleep, and social graces. My apologies to the kind…
-
Days 111-117: Mass Migration
1584.3 miles, 2,904,305 steps This week, I cleared most of Massachusetts. Though it continues CT’s trend of quaint New England towns, MA is a step up topographically. At last, I’m above 2,000 feet again. No longer am I traversing one solitary ridge as in PA or NJ. With peaks littering the horizon, I’ve returned to…
