outandabout53

b-roll

KEY WEST, FL -> NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA

International Appalachian Trail (IAT)/Eastern Continental Trail (ECT): DAY 30-31/247-248 ••••• 08.24-25.2023 (mile 564.2/4,750) [Mont Jacques-Cartier Campsite - Parc et Mer]

Less than 1,000 miles left.

Within 30 minutes Debbie scooped us up & gave us a ride back to trail. Avid hiker, out to hit a day-hike, we talked trails in Newfie & she gave us some advice on what food to make sure not to miss in Nova Scotia.

Took a break at Loc America, nestled between truly epic peaks, reminiscent of the Canadian Rockies (smaller in stature, but grandiose nonetheless).

After rock-scrambling up Mont Jacques-Cartier, I took a quick snack break, & took in 360* vistas. As we descended the highest mountain on the Quebec peninsula, Lil Budha pointed out, not 1 but 2, of the last of the 34 remaining woodland caribou in the area. We felt extremely lucky to have been able to see some of this critically-endangered animal.

Woke up at camp & got to steppin’.

Before too long we were at the Saint Lawrence River. We’d not seen the salty waters of the Atlantic since we reached the mainland of Florida over 8 months ago.

The salty air reminds me of home. The crashing waves bring a peace with it. But we weren’t home, we were in Quebec, & that spells POUTINE! My 2nd experience with this tastee treat, completely overshadowed the first, in both quality & quantity; now I need to try their seafood version, & there won’t be anything left, as usual, to pack out.

Made it to the bunkhouse of a beautiful sea-side campground, in the town of Mount Louis, & settled into bed, freshly-showered & a tall-boy down.

Sleeps comes with a quickness these days.

Low: I can’t think of a single thing

High: seeing 2 caribou

Location: Ancestral Lands of the Mi’kma’ki & Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) peoples

📸 of me x Lil Budha

- support ADVENTURE: links in BIO

KEY WEST, FL -> NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA

International Appalachian Trail (IAT)/Eastern Continental Trail (ECT): DAY 28-29/245-246 ••••• 08.20-23.2023 (mile 546.8/4,732.6) [Le Carouge Refuge - motel]

It was nice to put on dry warm socks in the morning. The morning brought with it, the first feeling of fall. Nothing you could place; rather a notion, a hint of a slowing down of the world.

And…..within 25 yards, we were slipping through mud & creek/trail.

Though the trail has been utterly saturated, & the skies open up at least once a day, the Gaspesie National Park has welcomed us into its arms. The colors are popping a little more, there seems to be an end to bushwhacking, & the views are worth writing home about.

The climbs have evened out into low-rolling playgrounds, & hikers are a little more easily spotted in the backcountry. Everyone greets with bonjour & couldn’t be any friendlier.

Lil Budha’d been mentioning Mt. Albert being one of his all-time fav spots on the entire ECT, for a few days now….it did not disappoint.

I make a habit of not looking at photos is places that I’ll be hiking through; cherish the surprise & all, & once again, I’m glad I did.

The seemingly-alien landscape engendered awe. It was almost unsettling just how quickly & drastically the terrain transformed. Lush green moss-covered forest gave way to treeless red-hued stone fields thrown up ages ago, when the planet looked very different.

Though I didn’t get to see any caribou, the peaks, valleys, & waterfalls had me in a state of sheer unadulterated gratitude.

After a near-perfect day, we got a hitch from the very first car to approach us, did all of our town stuff, & even catch the sunset over the St. Lawrence River.

Low: mud

High: Mt. Albert’s serpentine rock (originated as oceanic crust and was then uplifted during the formation of the Appalachian Mountains about 480 million years ago) & FaceTiming w/ Chance as seagulls crossed the horizon at dusk.

Location: Ancestral Lands of the Mi’kma’ki & Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) peoples

- support ADVENTURE: links in BIO

B-Roll 📸: 5, 6, & 10 x Lil Budha

KEY WEST, FL -> NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA

International Appalachian Trail (IAT)/Eastern Continental Trail (ECT): DAY 21-23/238-240 ••••• 08.17-19.2023 (mile 476.9/4,662.6) [Amqui Shelter - Ruisseau-des-Pitounes Shelter - Mount Craggy Shelter]

- Baby got his 1st POUTINE!!! 🍟🍽️

Departed at dawn & hustled into the first town, where Lil B treated me to my very first plate of POUTINE!!! It was everything I’d wanted! I can’t wait to try it out at other joints too!

Bellies full, we scurried down the way. Made it to the town of Amqui, Quebec, where Budha was able to sn**ch up a pair of new kicks & we got creative with our options for our resupply.

Munched down some fast food & got to the campground’s shelter where we were able to do laundry, fully charge our electronics, & shower (everything we’d needed to be ready for the Matane.

- Good day. It was good to have Wi-Fi & be able to FaceTime with Chance today, even if it was only for a few minutes. Other than that, not much to report but a cute dog at a fish camp we took a break at.

- Worn out. Steep trail. No footholds. Bushwhacking bonanza.

There was a moment when the overgrowth was so dense that I wound up deep into a game trail without knowing it. I eventually found my way back to the red line.

The rest of the day was big climbs that required frequent pauses, but luckily there was plenty of water to stay fresh.

Well after dark, sore & tired, I made it back to Budha & the abri (shelter) & nearly smashed the bunk throwing myself down onto it.

Low: achy feet from roads (something’s always gonna be sore, regardless of the terrain)

High: getting some important personal things worked out & feeling much better about it

Location: Ancestral Lands of the Mi’kma’ki peoples.

- support ADVENTURE: links in BIO

Lil Budha has now reached his final form - LIL BABUSHKA!

KEY WEST, FL -> NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA

International Appalachian Trail (IAT)/Eastern Continental Trail (ECT): DAY 19-20/236-237 ••••• 08.14-15.2023 (mile 369.6/4,555.3) [Le Corbeau Refuge - Sainte Marguerite Shelter]

Trying days

• I woke up to learn that there was a mass-shooting, at a DIY show in Minneapolis, MN, that has taken the life of at least one, & both injured & traumatize many others. I lived there, & was part of that community for many years, & my heart is heavy over it. Friends reading this, I may be far from you, but you’re still with me.

The day’s hiking was strenuous. The rains had softened the clay to the point that every step required calculation.

We met another IAT/SIA hiker, Mael (currently living in Montreal) & were able to enjoy each other’s company & speak of the differences between French Canadian dialect & traditional French (they grew up in Paris, France 🇫🇷).

• Today was difficult, to say the least. It was made aware that I’d hurt someone I hold dearly. I spent the day in self-reflection. Yes there were river-crossings, yes the terrain was steep & challenging, & yes the bushwhacking was frustrating at times; none of those things really mattered, & received no quarter in my thoughts.

I’ll be working through all of this for some time to come, & am profoundly grateful to have Lil Budha with me, unknowingly reminding me to be present, grateful, & to eat the wild blueberries 🫐 & raspberries that I’d not been noticing for the entirety of the day’s hike.

Low: processing my behavior that has hurt someone I deeply care for & learning of a mass-shooting, in a community of people I’d spent over a decade in & have close connections with

High: meeting Mael, getting back on dirt trail, & Lil B getting me out of my headspace to eat some wild blueberries 🫐 & raspberries

Location: Ancestral Lands of the Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet), Mi’kma’ki, & Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) peoples.

- support ADVENTURE: links in BIO

KEY WEST, FL -> NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA

International Appalachian Trail (IAT)/Eastern Continental Trail (ECT): DAY 10-12/227-229 ••••• 08.06-08.2023 (mile 208.6/4,394.3) [Plaster Rock Tourist Park (campground) - The Bear’s Lair Lodge]

ATV trails & learning how to roam

Yup, that’s pretty much it for the day; on & off ATV trails & sorting out phone issues. I had some service glitches that wound up being me learning that I needed to front-load my roaming data & that I didn’t actually have my maps downloaded to my phone (both sorted out now, but mildly frustrating, when I didn’t know why nothing was working anymore (first-world problems)).

Today was brought to you by the letter: road-walks.

Busted out 25 miles by 5pm. Lil Budha wanted to stop at this hunting lodge to visit some folx he’d stayed with, when he’d passed through here on his first ECT thru-hike.

When we got here, we discovered that the trail angel, Bill (who we ‘d been planning on hiking to meet up with later that day) had sadly passed away the previous year.

After reminiscing for a bit, & hearing about some of the local area, we decided to just call it a day. So we grabbed some burgers, home fries, & pop, & settled in for the night.

Zeroed the next day; hiding from the rain. Tried getting new shoes (mine are overdue for a replacement) but wound up just getting new insoles, to get me to a town where I can find my make & model).

Mostly just hung out with Don & his family (the owners) & napped. Oh yeah, I definitely destroyed an massive salad & an entire rotisserie chicken).

Low: maps & phone issues

High: sorting out maps & phone issues & talking with Chance for a good while

Location: Ancestral Lands of the Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet), Mi’kma’ki, & Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) peoples.

- support ADVENTURE: links in BIO

Appalachian Trail (AT)/Eastern Continental Trail (ECT): DAY 115-116/214-215 ••••• 07.24-25.2023 (mile 2,154.6.6/4,004.5) [East Branch Lean-To - Nahmakanta Stream Lean-To]

Reached my 4,000-mile mark for this adventure.

Awoke early. Gobbled up some pre-breaky breaky. Chatted with a hiker & shared a morning drag. Onward.

Passed an old crashed plane site (the passengers were fine) & kicked some wreckage.

Summited White Cap Mtn for my very first view of Katahdin. I’d heard one could catch a glimpse of it from the summit. I couldn’t find it & took a quick 1st dinner break. Nearly as soon as I turned the side of the mountain, there it was; impending & stalwart in the distance. Katahdin had a presence to it. It felt heavy. It seemingly dwarfed even existence.

Today, was a 24-mile day. Wonderful strolls alongside lakes & creeks. I am truly falling in love with the 100-Mile Wilderness.

Lil Budha & I took a break on the shores of Pemadumcook Lake & took in another viewing of Katahdin & Baxter Peak.

Fueled well by Beatrix & Kirk’s awesome trail magik (salad from their garden, homemade cake, fruit, dogs, chili, & all the pop we wanted), we made it to the shelter in good time.

Only 3 more days until we complete the Appalachian Trail portion of this journey. Only 3 more days until a new chapter opens up. Tonight, I live in Maine. Tonight, I am the AT.

Low: nothing

High: seeing Katahdin in the distance for the first time

Location: Ancestral Lands of the Penobscot & Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) peoples.

- support ADVENTURE: links in BIO

KEY WEST, FL -> NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA

Appalachian Trail (AT)/Eastern Continental Trail (ECT): DAY 112-113/211-212 ••••• 07.21-22.2023 (mile 2,080.4/3,930.3) [Shaw’s Hiker Hostel x 2]

Nice morning climb up Moxie Bald. The views were stunning, with the silvery clouds skimming the valleys, but the real joy was Lil Budha stumbling across a sleeping “Bearclaw” in his tent atop the mount.

Cute soft pine-needle-strewn trail made for easy footwork. The forests have been opening up a bit, giving up deeper views into the woods.

There were a couple of waist-deep crossings, but the currents were slow-moving, & easily fordable.

Made it to Shaw’s Hiker Hostel in the latter half of the day. Reconnected with friends & got to see Poet & Hippy Chick again (we’ve been bippin’ ‘n boppin’ around each other since last year’s Florida Trail hike (absolutely WONDERFUL people)).

A bunch of us zeroed the next day.

Baby got his first tent (Newfoundland doesn’t have a lot of trees & I’ll need one for next year’s adventures)! Replaced my quilt with a fresh sleeping bag, one I had elsewhere. Sent stuff I didn’t need anymore i.e., my trusty Z-Packs tarp (>8,000 miles on it since last year), into the postal ether. Scooped up my passport, to get into Canada. Ate, ate, & ate again. Hung out & finally was able to talk with Chance for a good while. Absence makes the heart ache.

The ZERO was good. I’m ready to finish the AT. Lil B & I should be on Katahdin before our next resupply. One stage of this journey is coming to an end, & another about to have its beginning. I’m looking forward to every bit of it.

Low: slipping on a rock & falling hip-deep into the mud

High: running into Nero & Medicine Man & getting to kick it with Poet & Hippy Chick on their home-turf

Location: Ancestral Lands of the Penobscot & Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) peoples.

- support ADVENTURE: links in BIO

KEY WEST, FL -> NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA

Appalachian Trail (AT)/Eastern Continental Trail (ECT): DAY 110/209 ••••• 07.19.2023 (mile 2,033/3,882.9) [West Carry Pond Lean-To]

Nearly perfect day.

After zeroing yesterday, I feel far better than when I went in to town. Spirits lifted, I said my goodbyes (Flamingo & I made some fun plans for her to come out to Death Valley, this fall/winter, to visit Chance & I and get some desert-hiking on; at least before we start the AZT in March).

Jen shuttled me back to Trail & I started beaming with excitement! Not only did I spot a Lil Budha out in the wild, at the parking lot, but lo & behold, there was Stops & Steve too! We got to reconnect a little before I started north, but it was really good to see those guys.

Budha & I got to catch up & talk a little planning & the sort for the future of this hike; always developing & unfolding in new & ever-changing ways.

Today was the last of the bigger mountains, until the last push to the terminus of the trail. It made for easier climbs & I found myself being able to get back into a more lite-hearted headspace. The forest was more soft-packed pine needles & less soggy bogs. The mosses were the very definition of luscious.

The views atop those final peaks, were magnificent. Above treeline. Full distant vistas with clear blue skies, & a lite breeze to cool a hiker off, all made for the perfect ending to a seemingly-endless few weeks of climbing & scrambling.

The sunset over Lake Flagstaff brought a serenity & the pastels slowed the world down.

I had to do some night-hiking to get to my mileage destination. Well into darkness, the last little hill wound up being just mud.

Now, it’s late & I have to get up earlier, in order to make the ferry across a river tomorrow on time. For now though, I’ll fall asleep to the lake loons in the distance.

Low: night-hiking mud

High: the entirety of the rest of the day

Location: Ancestral Lands of the Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) peoples.

- support ADVENTURE: links in BIO

KEY WEST, FL -> NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA

Appalachian Trail (AT)/Eastern Continental Trail (ECT): DAY 102-106/201-205 ••••• 07.11-15.2023 (mile 1,988.5/3,838.4) [Carlo Col Shelter-Baldpate Shelter-Pine Ellis Lodging (hostel)-random camp-Poplar Ridge Shelter]

Burnt out …. sort of … maybe

Since Vermont, I’ve been feeling pretty beat up & burnt out. I’ve been trying to sit with the feelings & sus out where it might be coming from.

It may be that this trip has already been nearly 7 months. It may be that I’ve been hiking, nearly non-stop for the last 18 months totaling 8,000 miles. It may be that my feet have been consistently wet since I crossed into Vermont. It may be that the miles have become harder to come by since then.

It’s probably all of the above.

I’ve been hiking well into the night for the past several days, just to get closer to my average that I need to hit. One of those nights was to just get to Maine, the last state for the Appalachian Trail section of this journey. The second I hit the Maine border, my spirits lifted a bit. Waking up the next day in Maine, put a noticeable bounce in my step.

I thought that the Mahoosuc Notch was like the “Lemon Squeezer”; I was wrong. I didn’t even know I was in it until nearly halfway through it. It was a lot of fun boulder-scrambling down around still-frozen chunks of snow in its crevices. The cooling air was refreshing.

I’ve been meeting new hikers, everyone’s looking like ghosts; beaten, worn out, but still harboring good attitudes.

I met Nero (turns out we both started the AT on the same day) & we’ve been hiking together for the past several days. Getting along great & sharing life stories & venting has been good.

I’m going to try to make it into the next town & meet up with Flamingo; we hiked the Florida National Scenic Trail earlier this year & got along swimmingly.

Still got miles to go though.

Low: P.U.D.s

High: Mahoosuc Notch

Location: Ancestral Lands of the Arosaguntacook & Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) peoples.

- support ADVENTURE: links in BIO

KEY WEST, FL -> NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA

Appalachian Trail (AT)/Eastern Continental Trail (ECT): DAY 99-101/198-200 ••••• 07.08-10.2023 (mile 1,903.9/3,753.8) [stealth - hotel - hotel]

The storm had passed in the night but it’s effects were still present. Seemingly, the moment I got to trail, what looked like a quaint little waterfall, turned out to be the trail. The flow was lite enough to not cause any issues & it was pretty fun scrambling down the side of the mountain.

Ripper & I made it to the next hut, where we waited for the breakfast leftovers (pancakes and coffee!) & IMMEDIATELY, started the climb up Twin Mtn.

Learned a lesson, never dump your shoes out over a cliff (poor Muskrat! Lost a boot over the edge of a VERY steep one; good thing he had camp shoes to get him out).

The following day, time was pressing on us, & our weather window was closing. We headed north from Mt. Washington through the Presidential Traverse, knowing a storm was coming & hoping to make it below tree-line before it hit.

The trail was far more challenging & slow-going than we’d anticipated. Balancing from rock to rock in an ocean of boulders, made for an exhausting day. We had to get off of the ridge that day, or we knew we’d be stuck up there, possibly for days, waiting out the tropical storm remnants (they were calling for hurricane winds).

After dark & completely worn out, we dragged our way off the range & made it to the town of Gorham, NH. We met up with Nana Man (it’d been a few weeks since we’d seen each other (since Chance came out), so it was good to catch up.

Ripper, Nana, & I linked up with Lil Budha & zeroed out an all-day rain & lounged around, goofing off & trying to suss out the trail conditions & logistical changes that these unseasonably wild rains have been causing.

Low: rock-hoping fatigue & the stress of getting below ridgeline with distant thunder to guide me

High: this one cloud-covered mountain that I don’t know the name of

Location: Ancestral Lands of the Arosaguntacook & Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) peoples.

- support ADVENTURE: links in BIO

KEY WEST, FL -> NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA

Appalachian Trail (AT)/Eastern Continental Trail (ECT): DAY 98/197 ••••• 07.07.2023 (mile 1,835.3/3,685.2) [Garfield Ridge Campsite/Shelter]

For days, everyone has been reinforcing to NOT be up on The Whites in inclement weather; I listen to locals.

But before that…

We got dropped off, by The Notch, back at trail & started heading north. The climb up Franconia Notch was certainly a physical effort, but thankfully, again, not as strenuous as the hype would have it be.

Once on top, I immediately understood why this section is so repped, why so many people talk about it. The moment you get above tree-line, the world opens up. The ridge drops down below your feet & splays out in front of you. You can watch it climb peaks, & descend more, all dotted with cairns, to mark the trail.

For miles, I found myself seemingly-stopping every 10th step, to take in the grandeur.

Eventually you drop back down for a while, but then find yourself immediately scrambling back up to the peak of Garfield Mountain. There I got a great 360* view for lunch. Got to chat with a couple of folx for a bit, but the last one got cut short, by a distant Thunder. Then, as we were saying our see-ya-rounds, I saw lightning strike down in a valley not too far; it was time to go.

And go I did. The shelter was super close & Bean, the caretaker, let me do a work-for-stay, by picking up litter in the area. Unfortunately, i Ripper & I weren’t able to get in the miles that we wanted to, but I try & listen to the locals when I’m passing through their area.

Low: having to stop early due to a lightning storm

High: Franconia Ridge

Location: Ancestral Lands of the Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) peoples.

- support ADVENTURE: links in BIO

Appalachian Trail (AT)/Eastern Continental Trail (ECT): DAY 92-95/191-194 ••••• 07.01-4.2023 (mile 1,799.3/3,648.6) [Winturri Shelter - motel - Trapper John Shelter - Hikers Welcome Hostel]

Lots of walking. Lots of rain. So very very wet.

A few highlights over the last few days have been a high waterfall, seemingly coming out of the surrounding fields.

An observation deck, built on top of a 2-story shelter that, on a day where the smoke from the Canadian fires choke the sky, was probably grand, fun fun nonetheless.

Came across Firefly, who was supporting her husband (Cavi), & before you knew it, she was handing myself and Seeker, handfuls of snax. Thanks again for such a great break Firefly!

I got to join a super fun group of day-hikers out bagging Smart Mountain. Malia, Steve, Kate, & her pup Karma, adopted me for a few hours as we traversed the thing. Everyone was laughing. Yeah, we were huffing & puffing up the trail, taking pause to catch our breaths mid-sentence, but the punchlines always came. We lunched at the hut after getting no views from the cloudy fire tower, but we had a really fun time, & didn’t mind the sightless summit.

The end of the day did serve up some good views atop granite domes but alas, I had to get to gettin; for days, locals & others with experience in these mountains, have been warning me about being up in The Whites in incline t weather, & low & behold, the skies darkened & the thunder rolled in.

Quickly a Baptist rain cracked the sky & gravity slid me down the muddy mountain.

I made it through safely & eventually made it to the Hikers Welcome Hostel where I met back up with Ripper; the last time we saw each other was when I stayed back to meet Chance, who was flying across the entire country to come meet me.

We got to catch up & had a decent night.

Location: Ancestral Lands of the Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) peoples.

- support ADVENTURE: links in BIO

KEY WEST, FL -> NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA

Appalachian Trail (AT)/Eastern Continental Trail (ECT): DAY 91/190 ••••• 06.30.2023 (mile 1,707.3/3,534.6) [camped]

Brief early chat with a couple of slow-rolling-out-of-camp-hikers & squished on down the trail in a northerly direction.

Cool climb up & over a clear vista; nearly brought a tear to my eye, knowing that there was no rain in the forecast.

Stopped & had brunch with some trail angels who’d brought out coffee & snax for folx.

Fun suspension bridge & some pretty damn big climbs. A few parts that required hands; VT is preparing us for The Whites, me thinks.

I’d not seen mud in a some time so I thumbed my nose at the old gods, & donned dry sox; what a morale-booster.

I decided that if I didn’t do the .2 mile spur trail, I.e., side-quest, up to the top of Killington Peak, I’d regret it for the rest of my life. So I climbed. & climbed. & climbed. Nearly straight up, I had to grab root & rock to pull myself up, & the view was worth every bead of sweat that poured from me.

Nearing sunset, the smoke from the Canadian fires, lended a hazy atmosphere of intimate contrast & hue.

I couldn’t stay for the entire sunset as I still had miles to make, & I made them.

Pretty damn tired, & with an aching body, I’m off to sleep.

Low: big climbs

High: Killington Peak & talkin’ shop with a local trail maintainer out repainting the AT’s white trail blazes (apparently they touch them up about every 10 years)

Location: Ancestral Lands of the Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) & Mohican peoples.

- support ADVENTURE: links in BIO

KEY WEST, FL -> NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA

Appalachian Trail (AT)/Eastern Continental Trail (ECT): DAY 90/189 ••••• 06.29.2023 (mile 1,683.7/3,511) [Greenwall Shelter]

The rains overnight left the canopy weighted with water. Not enough came down on you to really notice, but it sounded like a lite release.

The moisture in the air made for a few hours of dense mist. You couldn’t see anything from Bromley Mtn, but it cast a mysterious hue nonetheless.

Ponds & creeks seasoned nearly the entire day. The bigger bodies of water were all overflowing, from the last few days of rain, out onto the trail & deep into the woods. The trail maintainers built us some boardwalks to help traverse those areas (thanx maintainers!!!).

I hiked with Bee for a little bit (NOBOing the Long Trail) when the sun ☀️ finally peaked out from behind a week’s worth of clouds. Only briefly, but just in time to catch a glimpse from Baker Peak, after scrambling up it face.

Walking along, & crossing Big Branch, reminded me of crossing mighty rivers in Minnesota last October, on the Superior Hiking Trail.

Nearing the end of the day, the ecosystem changed pretty dramatically. Yes, it was pine & moss-covered boulders, but it was different than everything I’ve come across so far. Some say it’s gnome magik.

Settled in atop an old picnic bench. Stretched, fed, & ready to fall asleep editing photos.

Low: wet feet again

High: no rain 🌧️ & talking with Chance as she walked the streets of NYC & telling me all about that leg of her trip

Location: Ancestral Lands of the Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) & Mohican peoples.

- support ADVENTURE: links in BIO

KEY WEST, FL -> NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA

Appalachian Trail (AT)/Eastern Continental Trail (ECT): DAY 89/188 ••••• 06.28.2023 (mile 1,661.1/3,488.4) [Bromley Shelter]

More wet. A titch of rain.

Yadda yadda

Got to town to resupply & kicked it with hikers like Instigator & Kid’s Meal, crossing paths in town. Outside of the grocery store I met another group of hikers, 2 that I’m likely to cross paths with again, on their SOBO hike of the Quebec section of the International Appalachian Trail (IAT).

Hitching out of a liquor store parking lot (was informed, by a staffer at the outdoor store I switched out some holy Darn Tough sox, that the liquor store was the best spot to find a ride back up the mountain), I got a ride from the very first person I asked .

A short bit later, I reached the shelter & got to meet & hang with Meredith, & her son Jasper, who are out thru-hiking Vermont’s Long Trail (the by first king-distance trail in the US & the inspiration for the AT). We talked Asheville, future plans for Jasper (they’re planning on celebrating his 18th birthday on their finish date!), & life pivots.

I had an absolutely wonderful evening staying dry while the skies opened up around the shelter.

Jasper & Meredith

Low: wetness

High: meeting hikers

Location: Ancestral Lands of the Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) & Mohican peoples.

- support ADVENTURE: links in BIO

KEY WEST, FL -> NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA

Appalachian Trail (AT)/Eastern Continental Trail (ECT): DAY 88/187 ••••• 06.27.2023 (mile 1,638/3,465.4) [Catamount Motel - Story Spring Shelter]

Rested well from the zero. Turned out that Chance needed to get to the next town up, in Bennington, VT (they could get one more day than planned & Stops had already offered up a ride into town; a real no-brainer).

I headed back to trail after a hearty continental breaky.

I knew it was going to be wet.

I knew that I was entering “Vermud”, & the length of time that my feet would be soaked was unknown, but that they would be, well, that was inevitable. At least I knew I had a warm & dry place set up for the night.

The rains came. The trail was more creek than single-track, but that was to be expected. The greens grew both brighter & darker simultaneously. The forest dropped & popped.

I only took a break long enough to make a bagel lunch, & sped down trail, nearly running.

I made it to the road crossing in good time, where Stops scooped me up & brought me to the motel.

Chance had ordered pizzas for everyone, & we got to kick it with Stops, Steve, Mary Poppins, & Chef. Belly laughs galore.

In the morning Stops & Steve gave Chance a ride to Albany, NY, so she could start her journey back to Death Valley, CA. I already missed her before the car was out of the parking lot & am counting down the days until I touch the northern tip of Newfoundland, & head her way.

Today was a bit lacking in the luster department. I was able to dodge the rain (SUPER happy about that) but the trail was flooded everywhere & made for slow-going (all things that I’d expected traversing this area).

My spirits were lifted when I got to chat with Chance from NYC & held up high, by the light, at dusk, over a little pond & its feeder streams.

The shelter is dry & there’s room to spread out; happy hiker.

Low: Chance heading home

High: dodging the rain

Location: Ancestral Lands of the Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) & Mohican peoples.

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