tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29000105078170258182024-03-13T14:17:28.390-04:00Jabeccawalk:End to End for MSmandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-37170315229906410182011-08-07T22:48:00.000-04:002011-08-07T22:48:40.399-04:00Hansely Ever After... Thoughts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4A93wCUXDe5MA3GhxVOkvvPDV1ulhXDeO2m4PTyy9tyJzgQ2bn-GtXbJvRB_PzTRMU_5uiZ_dsaCCyaZnKMFjG7MefCXly5KnWrV8G2z9S3U9-fCDuX31LwLN2OAnpkNb4SnVscFNZmDs/s1600/The+start+of+the+AT.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4A93wCUXDe5MA3GhxVOkvvPDV1ulhXDeO2m4PTyy9tyJzgQ2bn-GtXbJvRB_PzTRMU_5uiZ_dsaCCyaZnKMFjG7MefCXly5KnWrV8G2z9S3U9-fCDuX31LwLN2OAnpkNb4SnVscFNZmDs/s320/The+start+of+the+AT.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> <b>Sign at the start of the approach trail</b><br />
<b> up Springer Mountain, GA (the start of their journey)</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1A321pT6UiUz-uAKCjLBT1YzGaFofHl3xFa_FcpPHSpbesf9cbVg5u1C-w3oLxvaCnxnjJK1K-tijrFAQJYmN0fX98v5bfO8hU0mM1F5hfUbl5ow1kQWV1D9zyNgtsHwyHsQrdsKV-xi/s1600/Drum+On+The+Top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1A321pT6UiUz-uAKCjLBT1YzGaFofHl3xFa_FcpPHSpbesf9cbVg5u1C-w3oLxvaCnxnjJK1K-tijrFAQJYmN0fX98v5bfO8hU0mM1F5hfUbl5ow1kQWV1D9zyNgtsHwyHsQrdsKV-xi/s320/Drum+On+The+Top.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Sign at the top of Mount Katahdin, ME (</b><b>the end of their journey)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are a few reflections from our intrepid Hansel:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Georgia to Maine! Springer Mountain to Mount Katahdin! 2181 miles! 14 states! Right now though all I can really think about is my two sore feet and how happy I am to be home. It is hard to write my thoughts on the conclusion of such a huge event in my life but I will do my best. The first thing that I want to do before I say any more is to thank some people who desperately need to be thanked. First I want to thank Rebecca. Without her by my side for almost the entire hike I know that I would not have been able to do this. If nothing else I would have been forced off by starvation. The times that were the most difficult for me were the times when I was on my own. The only part of the trip in which I doubted my ability to complete the whole trail was when I didn’t have her with me pushing me on. Her strength and power of will amazed me and motivated me from start to finish and I cannot express how indebted I am to her for my success. A lot of people have asked and wondered if we fought a lot throughout the hike and I can honestly and proudly say that not once did we have a serious argument. As far as siblings go we were unusually close when we started this thing and we are even closer now that we have completed it. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next I have to thank my Mom and Dad for getting me through it all.<span> </span>I am not a bit embarrassed to admit that there were some tear filled conversations with them at some particularly difficult moments on the trip.<span> </span>I will never forget crying on the phone with my mom as I walked through New York and having her reassure me that “Sometimes it’s hard. I know.<span> </span>But you can do this!”<span> </span>Or sitting outside Madison Hut in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, tears of exhaustion and frustration running down my face, listening to my dad tell me that “It is hard to be a leader. This is the challenge, but I know you can do it.<span> </span>You are strong enough to see this through.<span> </span>You’re almost there!”<span> </span>I also have to thank the two of them for introducing us to the Appalachian Trail in the first place.<span> </span>There are a million other things that I have to thank them for as well but I could fill a book with that so I think I will move on to the next person I need to thank…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amanda, the last of the fab five that is our family.<span> </span>The amount of time and effort that she put into this blog and our fundraiser is unbelievable.<span> </span>There were times that we would call her in the evening and she would excitedly answer the phone and say “Wait like two seconds I’m driving on the highway and I have to pull over so I can take notes!<span> </span>Hold on…oh where is that pen…oh, ok got it.<span> </span>Ok go!”<span> </span>She made sure that she had every detail of all of our crazy stories so that she could share the whole experience with all of you!<span> </span>She added her creativity and humor to our endeavors and made even the most mundane activities entertaining.<span> </span>She also helped us coordinate everything from mail drops to family pickups and conveyed messages from all of our followers to us as we made our way up the coast.<span> </span>All the behind the scenes work that she did really helped keep us motivated and for all of that she definitely deserves a huge shout out.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally I want to thank everyone who has contributed to our success in anyway.<span> </span>Whether you were one of the many trail angels who provided us with support when we least expected it, you contributed to our MSAA fundraiser, or you sent us messages of encouragement along the way I want to thank you and let you know that all of your help was a key component in our ability to make it the whole way.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So now what do I say about the whole thing?<span> </span>To be perfectly honest most of the trip is a big blur at this point.<span> </span>There are some specifics that I can very vividly recall, like watching a fellow thru-hiker named Breeze jump 5 feet in the air and scream like a girl when a 4 foot rattlesnake decided to make its presence known to us as we walked past; however, most of it has blended together in my mind.<span> </span>That probably is a result of the mind-numbing, monotony of the day to day activity.<span> </span>With that said I do remember the feelings that I had throughout the trip: the sense of accomplishment when I made it up Albert Mountain in NC and could look back at where I had come from for the first time, the rush of excitement (tempered by a bit of discomfort) when I woke up in the Smokey Mountains to 3 inches of snow, the nostalgic feeling of homesickness that brought tears to my eyes when I heard “Looking for Space” by John Denver, the fear and awe that surged through me as I weathered a thunderstorm on the top of Arden Mountain in New York, and the exhausted sense of shear amazement and disbelief as I stood on the top of Mount Katahdin in front of that not so arbitrary sign.<span> </span>I experienced some of the strongest emotions of my whole life on this trail and though the keenness of those sensations has already begun to dull, I know I will never be able to completely forget what it was like.<span> </span>I suppose when people are in as extreme a situation as we were in extreme emotion is a natural result.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other thing that stands out for me when I think about the trail is the people.<span> </span>There were so many wonderful, interesting, and loving people that we meet along the way that I am inclined to say that my favorite part of the whole thing was just that: the people.<span> </span>Along the way some of our fellow hikers have talked about how the kindness they were shone restored their faith in humanity.<span> </span>Well, for me, my faith didn’t need restoring, but with that said my experiences on the trail certainly strengthened the faith that was already there.<span> </span>When a complete stranger offers drive you to their house so they can offer you a shower, do your disgusting laundry, feed you dinner and then take you grocery shopping you can do nothing but be completely amazed (and of course thank them profusely).<span> </span>As unbelievable as such an occurrence may seem it actually happened a few times to me on the trial!<span> </span>What is more, a lot of the people who helped me actually thanked me for allowing them too!<span> </span>To be honest the more I think about it while I write the harder it is for me to believe a lot of the generosity and kindness I was shown.<span> </span>I don’t even have a word powerful enough to express it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It isn’t just the “trail angles” who I will not be able to forget, it is also the other hikers who we encountered along the way. Though their contributions were of a different sort, my fellow hikers helped me through this whole thing in ways that no one else could.<span> </span>Each person I meet along the way contributed in some way to my experience and without every one of them it would not have been what it was.<span> </span>I will be telling stories about the wonderful characters I meet for the rest of my life, and though the trail friendships I made may not last, the memories that I created with those friends will never leave me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am sure that I will have many more thoughts and reflections as the whole experience continues to sink in, but for now I will leave you all with that.<span> </span>Thank you all so much for following along and I hope you all will check back again in September to see the bonus stories that Amanda will be posting!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Trails,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hansel</span></div>mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-53414632234654860862011-07-31T09:06:00.000-04:002011-07-31T09:06:49.574-04:00EpiblogueIt might be over... but it isn't over! There are more stories to come! More adventures to discover! You might remember the Gretel left the trail in the middle of the journey. Well, she is currently back in those skipped states and walking the miles she missed. Hansel has decided to maintain his yeti-like appearance for as long as he can until Gretel finishes. She has already finished Pennsylvania and is currently in Massachusetts. Mom is helping her slack pack so she can cover as much ground as possible before she has to begin law school. <br />
<br />
You might also remember that while Gretel was off the Trail, there wasn't much being written about Hansel's solo adventures. I have all those stories, but haven't posted them yet. Over the next two months (more in the month of September than August because I'll be in Europe stating Tuesday... maybe I should make a blog for that too...) all of those missing stories will be posted. So don't be afraid to return to Jabeccawalk. We're still here!<br />
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Happy Trails!mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-9151878612422185722011-07-20T22:34:00.002-04:002011-07-29T11:39:31.027-04:00The End<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">At the top of the mountain, Hansel, Gretel, Two Bad and Mom had a quick photo shoot with the Katahdin sign. The trip back down Katahdin was more difficult and a bit scarier than it had been to climb up. This time they were looking at the many-foot drops making the fear factor so much higher. Two Bad didn't seem to be having any problem. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">"He was jumping around and loving it," Hansel recounted. Surprisingly, going down was no problem for him this time. He was able to use his arms to lower himself over the huge bolders most of the time. He often has trouble on the slow descents because of his two bad knees, but he was able to hop the boulders in stride! Mom, on the other hand, was having a really tough time. She was pretty scared. Gretel led the way, followed by Mom, then Hansel and Two Bad took up the rear. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">When they got to the rebar spot, "that was an event, let me tell you. She kind of lost it there," Hansel recalled. She started crying and was getting a little "panic-ie." This was because the only way to get down was to face forward and lower yourself with your arms behind you holding onto the metal rod. You had to kind of slide down until you could get your foot on a particular rock. It was a very big drop (about 7 feet) and it was extremely awkward to be climbing down the bolder backward. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Hansel came to the rescue. He managed to position himself so that he was sandwiching Mom between his body and the rock face. He held onto the rebar around Mom so that she could slide down between his arms. If she fell, she would fall right into his chest. When she started to panic, Hansel looked at her (his face was only a few inches from hers) and kept repeating, "Mom, it's ok. Just look at my face. Just lower yourself down. Your foot is almost there. You can do this..." He and Gretel coached her down the rock while Mom did her best to stay calm. She made it safely and Two Bad followed. He got his leg a little stuck which was hurting his hip a bit, but we was able to fix himself without help. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Meanwhile, I had hiked one mile up Katahdin to a spot called Katahdin Stream Falls. I arrived at about 3 pm with my four signs looking pretty. I made attempts to gather a crowd to celebrate with me, but no one seemed very interested in waiting at the falls for a couple of thru-hikers they had never met. I staked out a good spot for each sign and seated myself on a rock by the water. I had also changed into the surprise Jabeccawalk t-shirts we made for the whole family. I was carrying Mom and Dad's t-shirts too so that when they all came down to find me, I could toss them their shirts which they would throw on in triumph. At that time, I also planned on jumping up waving one of the signs high over my head and whatever people happened to be there would start that oh-so-inspiring slow clap that speeds up into full out applause! Maybe someone would even have some speakers handy and play the "We Are The Champions" song by Queen. In my mind, this whole scene was looking quite momentous! I sat on my rock watching up the trail ready for the first sign of my family. Every now and again the wind would blow over one of my signs and I would hop up to fix it as quickly as I could, the whole time watching up the mountain so as not to miss Hansel and Gretel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aF_71x_tpJFYujLp9pFOm20gstBU9x26p5lAtmQcxkIxiPULZOVbxsC-x0whTcUDlLnh_gto-vE89saxM6OJmSUpCjC9bITNJZVHPXEw_utWBxtt4Ax9-fwuiGK8VCPamKgT8cBvHWAi/s1600/DSCN3032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aF_71x_tpJFYujLp9pFOm20gstBU9x26p5lAtmQcxkIxiPULZOVbxsC-x0whTcUDlLnh_gto-vE89saxM6OJmSUpCjC9bITNJZVHPXEw_utWBxtt4Ax9-fwuiGK8VCPamKgT8cBvHWAi/s320/DSCN3032.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Amanda (me) waiting on a rock beside the falls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">At 4:30 there was still no sign of them. I had switched my waiting rock a few times and talked with every other hiker who was making his or her way down from the top of Katahdin. I asked if they had seen Hansel and Gretel. Some said they might have passed them, other's weren't too sure. I kept waiting. At 5:30 I decided to tape down my poster board signs. I was getting tired of running to pick them up every 10 minutes when the wind knocked them over. Luckily I had a role of clear packing tape that I used to attach the signs to nearby trees. At 7 pm I was starting to get cold and the bugs had made a full-fledged meal of my neck. I was itching and scratching all over. I crouched between my poster board signs to keep warm and block the wind, making sure to sustain my gaze on the trail leading up the mountain. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">At 7:30 I was getting worried. What if one of them had gotten hurt? I hadn't seen any hikers coming down in quite a while. Maybe they were stranded up there all alone. What if they took an alternate route down and were already in the parking lot unable to find me? I thought my parents knew I was going to hike up to the waterfall, but maybe they forgot. I decided that if they still had not appeared by 8pm, I was going to gather my signs and head back to the car. It would probably take me an hour to get back since I was still a little gimpy from when I broke my ankle back in April. I was afraid that if I left any later I would have to find my way in the dark. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">At 7:45 I started pulling my signs off of the trees. This momentous celebration I had envisioned was not turning out the way I planned. I don't think I have ever sat and stared at one spot as long as I did that afternoon. I wish I could say it was a meditative afternoon with the sounds of water and nature all around me, but it really was just kind of pathetic. I set out on the trail heading toward the parking lot. Not 10 minutes into my hike, I heard someone clomping along behind me. I turned around and saw Gretel moving quickly over the rocks! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">"Oh! Hi!" I said. "Wait!" I unrolled one of my signs and held it infront of my chest. "Hooray!!!" I yelled. It took Gretel a moment to realize what was going on. She was very confused to see this gimpy person trotting along by herself with her arms full of poster board, but she started laughing when she realized it was me. Together, we continued our hike through the woods. She told me how difficult it had been to get up and down Katahdin. She explained that she left Hansel, Two Bad and Mom because she really had to use the bathroom (a privy located at the waterfall where I had been waiting). She was going to sit and wait for them at the waterfall, but it was getting cold and dark, so she decided to return to the parking lot and wait with me. She had not expected to run into me on the trail. As we walked, we kept our ears sharp for any sound of footsteps behind us. A few times we thought we heard Mom and Dad's voice, but our ears were just playing tricks on us. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Back in the parking lot, Gretel and I taped the signs to the trunk of the car. It was about 8:20 and daylight was fading fast. It was getting colder so we moved into the car keeping our eyes glued to the place where the trail comes out of the woods. Minutes ticked by and Gretel started to worry. Did Hansel have the head lamps? She thought he had kept them in his pack. But what if he didn't? Maybe she should hike back into the woods to make sure they were ok. 8:45 rolled around and still no sign of them. The sun was officially gone. The suspense was killing us. Where were they? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">At 9 pm two small beams of light glowed from woods. It was them! Mom and Two Bad were wearing Hansel's head lamps while Hansel walked between them. They made it! Gretel and I jumped out of the car. "Hooray!!" we shouted, each of us holding up a sign. We threw Mom, Two Bad and Hansel their Jabeccawalk t-shirt. Gretel and I were already wearing ours. After some hugs and some story swapping, we all loaded into the car and drove out of the now pitch black campground. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">We had an hour drive to get back into town, which means we didn't hit civilization until 10 pm. At that point, every restaurant and ice cream shop was closed for the night. Our celebratory dinner had to be McDonalds burgers with a McFlurry for good measure. This momentous celebratory finish had definitely lost its luster, but sitting in McDonalds with the whole family together was really all any of us needed. Hansel and Gretel had done it. Knowing that was enough of a celebration all by itself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTjxDPnExjQ6TV9x3MmQvtCXCNNRXNH10UjgUbbQr8f6RQC0UcOdF4PT2b1s5XdZHaGSXp6vC5Er2nuTKoXGK5QqG2WFKf0S3WcjARNZ7_e3Zf9WiGmQ165d6A5LU3NRDUtZnY3Tlaefo/s1600/DSCN3037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTjxDPnExjQ6TV9x3MmQvtCXCNNRXNH10UjgUbbQr8f6RQC0UcOdF4PT2b1s5XdZHaGSXp6vC5Er2nuTKoXGK5QqG2WFKf0S3WcjARNZ7_e3Zf9WiGmQ165d6A5LU3NRDUtZnY3Tlaefo/s320/DSCN3037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">McDonalds Celebration</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">The next day we raced to the airport for an early flight all decked out in our matching Jabeccawalk t-shirts. I'm sure we were quite a spectacle, limping our way through the airport with a bunch of hefty backpacks. At least everyone smelled fresh. Two Bad, being the proud father that he is, didn't miss an opportunity to tell other passengers and airport officials that his kids just finished hiking the Appalachian Trail. We got back to NJ in the early afternoon. Pulling into the driveway was a breath of fresh air for Hansel and Gretel. Tonight, they would use a real napkin, as opposed to their shirt sleeves. They would brush their teeth with clean running water. Finally, they would not have to "make their home" from the materials they carried on their backs. After four long months, this adventure had come to an end. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Happy tra... well, just happy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-NEDiS3rsFZbYLeLJIJvFfSNZBEl69j7XQawnk2V7NXamC6wmj6ZWo4asDKxPiwgkYTOGQeKSLzOtHWztmM6exkVj1GDxhLbFcLT-nqR2DwQpE41ZSx4t80GLaYDfL83zQSUWC5_Qohy/s1600/DSCN3041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-NEDiS3rsFZbYLeLJIJvFfSNZBEl69j7XQawnk2V7NXamC6wmj6ZWo4asDKxPiwgkYTOGQeKSLzOtHWztmM6exkVj1GDxhLbFcLT-nqR2DwQpE41ZSx4t80GLaYDfL83zQSUWC5_Qohy/s320/DSCN3041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the plane!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hsWPFb3wlkUDSSmNoEtbZ7YpQUttR0z_D5WAMgMtTqFYpTtqfUzOGzSJ-yfkQ4nEK4GWv2zN6HRQM6-vgdi_ZSY11l_aoMZKnvaW4FEFVeHXkXuUrXAiO-fksXBc5QoWF2xEWghiLVc_/s1600/DSCN3042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hsWPFb3wlkUDSSmNoEtbZ7YpQUttR0z_D5WAMgMtTqFYpTtqfUzOGzSJ-yfkQ4nEK4GWv2zN6HRQM6-vgdi_ZSY11l_aoMZKnvaW4FEFVeHXkXuUrXAiO-fksXBc5QoWF2xEWghiLVc_/s320/DSCN3042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lookin' good at Newark Airport.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FMJ50lf2jFtjG4mWR14na087Qzkcjw2ojTnjwQlmDcSto0AVTM7XDOhg-PTBaHmsmuwR17Qhmoi3WigTxCl8pc0Vm-wI4_LjWe1S_h2W5eUkijlnXLiP-ilMYshPfB5xZ3Z740AR8HDc/s1600/DSCN3044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FMJ50lf2jFtjG4mWR14na087Qzkcjw2ojTnjwQlmDcSto0AVTM7XDOhg-PTBaHmsmuwR17Qhmoi3WigTxCl8pc0Vm-wI4_LjWe1S_h2W5eUkijlnXLiP-ilMYshPfB5xZ3Z740AR8HDc/s320/DSCN3044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gretel and Mom waiting for Two Bad to come back with the car.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_Bed7o6Aa6ykUUXVEJN5dey8VdnJUB_aKxOuiqhNT19ev4Jw1H6U5mYwAd8ByCfaCy7zbyfDB0lwE4jlzWFwjruqJ9EOdyHIkr2VW1eWfInTDmnG-5dqzhAmk6zbqK8C4V-N3IWTXooh/s1600/DSCN3046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_Bed7o6Aa6ykUUXVEJN5dey8VdnJUB_aKxOuiqhNT19ev4Jw1H6U5mYwAd8ByCfaCy7zbyfDB0lwE4jlzWFwjruqJ9EOdyHIkr2VW1eWfInTDmnG-5dqzhAmk6zbqK8C4V-N3IWTXooh/s320/DSCN3046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A toast of wine, coffee and milk at <i><a href="http://www.taorminaristorante.com/">Taormina's</a></i>, our favorite Italian restaurant in Kenilworth, NJ.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-2310859967276127942011-07-19T16:39:00.001-04:002011-07-29T10:51:52.244-04:00The End: Katahdin's PeakAs Hansel and Gretel climbed their way up Katahdin with Mom and Dad, they discussed how it's kind of stupid that a lame sign is THE thing that signifies the completion of their 2,181 mile adventure. It seems rather arbitrary to say "you have to get to <i>this </i>sign and then you're done." <br />
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"We signed in. It's not like being on top of the mountain is going to be anything great," they said. They were kind of poo-pooing it the whole way. At that point, they were both just so tired and ready to be done with the Trail. That's not to say it hadn't been the adventure of a life time, they were just ready for it to be over. With that kind of attitude going up, neither of them were really prepared for the emotions that erupted out of them when that "arbitrary sign" came into view. <br />
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"We finally got there and, I have to tell you," Hansel said, "it was NOT an arbitrary end point and this sign was one of the most meaningful things in my life. I can't even express the emotions that just flew through my body and I can't even explain why this piece of wood with writing on it elicited all these emotions. [Gretel] and I just gave each other a hug and both of us just cried for like five minutes. And everyone around us started crying too. Mom and Dad were crying. It really was like nothing I have ever experienced before." <br />
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It's not every day that a hiker completely the Appalachian Trail, but it's even less likely that a pair of siblings finish the Trail together. Throughout their journey, people have wondered if Hansel and Gretel were married or dating, and they are always confused when their interactions never really match either of those statuses. When the on-lookers realize that Hansel and Gretel are in fact brother and sister, the response is always so positive. It must be refreshing to see that a set of siblings could be such good friends. Having finished this adventure through the physical, psychological, and emotional hardship, there was something truly magical in the embrace that Hansel and Gretel shared at the top of that mountain. This really was the moment of a life time. They had done it! And they had done it together!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqv7agWSu0l9dlTS1cXvDsWh5v1fqy8ME15MlIpsln-ms87755vfGl1kRY8wBq2sd-EFl5Vdcei0Onz91fTkj0NEaWTx84Z-jXkJBFutgjpXT22Ka3I1CTr0pamCBpvdyYGKIZDkqOa38l/s1600/DSCN0743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqv7agWSu0l9dlTS1cXvDsWh5v1fqy8ME15MlIpsln-ms87755vfGl1kRY8wBq2sd-EFl5Vdcei0Onz91fTkj0NEaWTx84Z-jXkJBFutgjpXT22Ka3I1CTr0pamCBpvdyYGKIZDkqOa38l/s320/DSCN0743.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">True sibling love</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_Jm2qMppQWeOEz2xHOVQJAPmV8iT_7X03Cg5lqKcFqUpcOQMgwYKj76zlGrEId0Q-X4CgV9mHU9NHqrLVhW6x4vZGZXfaUQYGMivM-5_mRxNrAEBhUkTE9w6h0XIrsoLWkFhzPo-mmKT/s1600/DSCN0742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_Jm2qMppQWeOEz2xHOVQJAPmV8iT_7X03Cg5lqKcFqUpcOQMgwYKj76zlGrEId0Q-X4CgV9mHU9NHqrLVhW6x4vZGZXfaUQYGMivM-5_mRxNrAEBhUkTE9w6h0XIrsoLWkFhzPo-mmKT/s320/DSCN0742.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6h0uOvVO06j33raNSR7D368PUQKLANFGZIzxdfLzLlQ0Gsk1E38pA2H1F65XE6n5xc3icVI9pF2DGt06Dq-JV-z3mM_6Qlfm2CpqqV4XP5zHQgFO9tHHALiqiwYfnZf9Q6mCDGP9Y0Cv/s1600/DSCN0745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6h0uOvVO06j33raNSR7D368PUQKLANFGZIzxdfLzLlQ0Gsk1E38pA2H1F65XE6n5xc3icVI9pF2DGt06Dq-JV-z3mM_6Qlfm2CpqqV4XP5zHQgFO9tHHALiqiwYfnZf9Q6mCDGP9Y0Cv/s320/DSCN0745.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2,181 miles with Froggie and Black Bear (the little animals they are holding)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTV3FIi8ZupfqICyTEFtNR_FXiwnAm5kbLcG6CRpic6j3n_EXkEl1mmD_ONKA8J5aAftL9yKBVUoFCiU44f_KZp4YQR90R2fO8iTbdWSO4GhPUEB-T19Riod9z9-bhlyhsxRF3AQvImy7T/s1600/DSCN0748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTV3FIi8ZupfqICyTEFtNR_FXiwnAm5kbLcG6CRpic6j3n_EXkEl1mmD_ONKA8J5aAftL9yKBVUoFCiU44f_KZp4YQR90R2fO8iTbdWSO4GhPUEB-T19Riod9z9-bhlyhsxRF3AQvImy7T/s320/DSCN0748.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mom, Hansel, Gretel and Two Bad pretending to be asleep on the sign.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX61p4NO6hdG_lzA_qCxznovDPeFsENZGu_q81P4T7RuzaoVlbR8HPlk-KJEbbvn5xFCCWajhnWjkipamWhvrrMyZi4UE3Fq9zi_U_UKdhw9QU1cue0_O4sIgkFQFMrG_Dk6zLvgbQWm_B/s1600/DSCN0750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX61p4NO6hdG_lzA_qCxznovDPeFsENZGu_q81P4T7RuzaoVlbR8HPlk-KJEbbvn5xFCCWajhnWjkipamWhvrrMyZi4UE3Fq9zi_U_UKdhw9QU1cue0_O4sIgkFQFMrG_Dk6zLvgbQWm_B/s320/DSCN0750.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not only did Hansel and Gretel climb the mountain, also climbed the sign!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg861ZumYRa-Tg6yQhDFcL8iAn_xN-1Rs6lPKWBJ7wnlQlvoPLmOf4pITeD5hilYA_-6g6rywniOIps6YZsd2WxLkEdhMNo4pLNUgr4KeK08C6OUEXoGdJzsDITn5wNm4fXOW0Zi_P2EtP5/s1600/DSCN0753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg861ZumYRa-Tg6yQhDFcL8iAn_xN-1Rs6lPKWBJ7wnlQlvoPLmOf4pITeD5hilYA_-6g6rywniOIps6YZsd2WxLkEdhMNo4pLNUgr4KeK08C6OUEXoGdJzsDITn5wNm4fXOW0Zi_P2EtP5/s320/DSCN0753.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMIXljEeSvgmUnRLaWDVucO6184VkRwMgsV-AbQvqTWSm9ZHS3V2V21_h8m8dZokL2gg-m44IZGmuJ9_DgidD6MdbdziztO1AW5Ti9kTUF50jfeqNDtfXl6vSWXiie_mIHMJeEXYcVeQr/s1600/DSCN0761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMIXljEeSvgmUnRLaWDVucO6184VkRwMgsV-AbQvqTWSm9ZHS3V2V21_h8m8dZokL2gg-m44IZGmuJ9_DgidD6MdbdziztO1AW5Ti9kTUF50jfeqNDtfXl6vSWXiie_mIHMJeEXYcVeQr/s320/DSCN0761.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hansel posing like the cover on the AT Guide Book (<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/188938674X/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books">click here to view</a></i>)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu93k0mCX8DDBYMAbLWn9a3gnNLBSY1VU-aBuG9j4G4XNnGk_TBTGUGUxdAJjEijJzTxz99v2g2GilJewpZgeJjyzr5uXH8UmUl1Thm6QJBkfg0jW3leGQ3xtx_YXM_A6TyT0I96G2A8TC/s1600/DSCN0762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu93k0mCX8DDBYMAbLWn9a3gnNLBSY1VU-aBuG9j4G4XNnGk_TBTGUGUxdAJjEijJzTxz99v2g2GilJewpZgeJjyzr5uXH8UmUl1Thm6QJBkfg0jW3leGQ3xtx_YXM_A6TyT0I96G2A8TC/s320/DSCN0762.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hoooooray!!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-25206696323165010862011-07-19T16:01:00.001-04:002011-07-28T17:13:13.124-04:00The End: Katahdin AscentHansel and Gretel started the final 5 miles up Katahdin at about 11:45am and it took them a little over an hour to catch up with Mom and Two Bad. Their rendezvous came at the point on the mountain that Mom and Two Bad had rendered impassable. <br />
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"Well, it looks like we are going this far and that's it," they said regretfully as they gazed up at an 8 foot boulder at the top of which were two pieces of rebar (a metal rod) that had been hammered into the rock. In order to climb this thing you had to hold on to the higher rebar rod and then swing your foot up to hook the other piece of rebar. The foot hold was so high up you almost had to knee yourself in the face to reach it while your other foot dangled bellow your body. Are you picturing this? If not, you can see an example of another <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Escalade_crochet_talon.jpg">heel hook here</a></i>. You just have to imagine this taking place on the edge of a mountain instead of a foot off of the ground. From the heel hook you had to pull yourself up. If you let go, the fall would be about 6 feet and nothing to catch you after that. It was pretty scary, especially for Mom and Dad. Dad because he has hip mobility problems (recall previous post: <i><a href="http://jabeccawalk.blogspot.com/2011/05/two-bads-out-of-reach-feet.html">Two Bad's Out of Reach Feet)</a></i> so finding the flexibility to get his foot on the rebar would be extremely difficult, and Mom because she would need to find some super upper body strength to hoist herself up over the rebar. <br />
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"I don't even know how Mom and Dad did it, but they both got up over this part somehow," Hansel said. Many people turn around when they reach that part of Katahdin, but Mom and Two Bad were determined even though Hansel and Gretel tried telling them that it was ok if they didn't go all the way to the top. Once they got over the rebar, Mom said, "Well, I'm up now so we're going. I don't know how I'm going to get down again, but I'm up." As brave as she probably would have liked that to sound, she was almost crying because she was so scared. They kept telling her that the hard part was over, but that wasn't really true. There were more hard parts after that as the trail went straight up the mountain for the next 1.5 miles. <br />
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This was the most rock climbing Hansel and Gretel had done on the entire trail. There were parts where they had to pull themselves up over the rocks. Mom ended up doing a lot of seal-like belly slides to get up on the rocks. Or she would just put her knees up because it was too hard to pull up on arms alone. As they climbed up, a bunch of people were passing them going the opposite direction. When they looked back, there was no one coming up the mountain behind them. They were the last group to up and most people had already started the climb down. This made them kind of nervous too, but as Mom said, "There's nothing else to do. Can't do anything but keep going." <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUe8IOh0A80QB8CdAE7NrH_1DCoTFgpmnsUiJ7jhd21Sjgsk5oB-wDY3MyZUQnF9zyyN5oDfUf51ynlH_Mwe6OiwuMHIPF6XkS4LYsv1yE1hPMm95NxmUQSKVNDMHSZy8ufOIvhtK2v2Sm/s1600/DSCN0740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUe8IOh0A80QB8CdAE7NrH_1DCoTFgpmnsUiJ7jhd21Sjgsk5oB-wDY3MyZUQnF9zyyN5oDfUf51ynlH_Mwe6OiwuMHIPF6XkS4LYsv1yE1hPMm95NxmUQSKVNDMHSZy8ufOIvhtK2v2Sm/s320/DSCN0740.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gretel and Mom making their way up the boulders.</div>mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-4443070480635514892011-07-19T13:45:00.001-04:002011-07-28T15:01:13.667-04:00The End-ish-ishMom and Two Bad decided to climb to the top of Katahdin so they could be present when Hansel and Gretel reached their goal. They left me in the parking lot of Katahdin Stream Campground at 11am and began their 5 mile climb to the top. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJQpYPbMp2TpMChQt4Vh8ayx2OVfqs5zAPfzBAypcADYwVFB0Zc_qoovoYg3bEeMeK_cpy1MQ6lm2mz0THf3BATjaI6ESiZAKb4ECu32sSeX4LT-N_tYM7xBqyIh8QN9I51zL4mtQL7Hy/s1600/DSCN3005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJQpYPbMp2TpMChQt4Vh8ayx2OVfqs5zAPfzBAypcADYwVFB0Zc_qoovoYg3bEeMeK_cpy1MQ6lm2mz0THf3BATjaI6ESiZAKb4ECu32sSeX4LT-N_tYM7xBqyIh8QN9I51zL4mtQL7Hy/s320/DSCN3005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mom and Two Bad. Katahdin is the peak you can see just above their heads.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloWe-d8r4FzeDkBU7wUNHn0YLrV1jeW5whhE_KP0ASGlnJIgXm-_ybRYF6OPIiNog6G04OVAPG4MISkMTIahwvvF1yPkS80ynFMHqP9AV_AT2H8T6MV7OONc_0CK1N_d9Y5-KcDPzXGcR/s1600/DSCN3007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloWe-d8r4FzeDkBU7wUNHn0YLrV1jeW5whhE_KP0ASGlnJIgXm-_ybRYF6OPIiNog6G04OVAPG4MISkMTIahwvvF1yPkS80ynFMHqP9AV_AT2H8T6MV7OONc_0CK1N_d9Y5-KcDPzXGcR/s320/DSCN3007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On their way up Katahdin!</div><br />
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Thinking that Hansel and Gretel had already passed through the campground, I set up shop at one of the picknick tables and began constructing giant celebratory signs on pieces of poster board. I couldn't have been more than 15 minutes into it when Hansel and Gretel came trotting out of the woods. I quickly lept up from the picknick table, abandoning my signs, and started walking towards them as cool as can be. I made every attempt to draw them away from the picknick table I had left, but they were heading straight for it! They were looking for the ranger station to sign in, which happen to be just past my table. <br />
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"We'll just put our packs down with your stuff," Hansel said, indicating over at my abandoned picknick table.<br />
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"That's not mah stuff," I said quickly. But Hansel just kept walking towards it! <br />
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"Oh," he said and put his pack down right next to it, making sure to peak over at the poster board that the wind had blown off the table and was now laying on the ground with the words "Gretel, you did it!" written across it. Luckily, my tape dispenser had also blown off the table and landed on top of the R E and T part of "Gretel" so it wasn't completely obvious that the sign was for her... just mostly obvious. Fortunately Gretel is as gullible as I am so when I said "that's not mah stuff," she actually believed it wasn't mah stuff and didn't even bother looking at it. <br />
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The three of us walked over to the ranger station to register Hansel and Gretel as official finishers of the Appalachian Trail! Of course they still had to climb Katahdin, but the Guide Book says to sign in before going up. <br />
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Hansel and Gretel were the 374th and 375th hikers to begin the trail back in George, and the 41st and 42nd to finish up in Maine! That means that 333 either quit or Hansel and Gretel passed them on the trail! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-u46yYQZsnvt2UhQlmNPY82kSwoF8Q_pOSCi99tt2JAFLdp9wPwgOloNyIFU08RCLBkLCG3qjRsBsjZzsJoXzMahTLYP_6q2LhuKC8kMWOIbcDFNbzUHR4feqE_TPFsdq9xw4gWUU5d_L/s1600/DSCN3021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-u46yYQZsnvt2UhQlmNPY82kSwoF8Q_pOSCi99tt2JAFLdp9wPwgOloNyIFU08RCLBkLCG3qjRsBsjZzsJoXzMahTLYP_6q2LhuKC8kMWOIbcDFNbzUHR4feqE_TPFsdq9xw4gWUU5d_L/s400/DSCN3021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gretel's note for the log book at the ranger station</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilh5mZH-y7ChtWpvcouasYcCR58JgCrkj4H2bmYsLyp851zY-M9W3ickL0Ct6rNVdwFIpknb06734dlv5lxWcsHBV-gjChm6eQw7MT3OfBLzIZB34CdSwKufb8uIWa0BU_ZqYeT1negqCC/s1600/DSCN3023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilh5mZH-y7ChtWpvcouasYcCR58JgCrkj4H2bmYsLyp851zY-M9W3ickL0Ct6rNVdwFIpknb06734dlv5lxWcsHBV-gjChm6eQw7MT3OfBLzIZB34CdSwKufb8uIWa0BU_ZqYeT1negqCC/s320/DSCN3023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Registered Thru-hikers! Numbers 41 and 42!</div>mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-40128396316363119302011-07-19T11:02:00.002-04:002011-07-28T14:09:49.472-04:00The End-ishTwo Bad and Mom took Hansel and Gretel to the trail head early in the morning. They had a 10 mile hike to get to the base of Mt. Katahdin in Baxter State Park and then there would be a 5 mile climb to get to the top. Their hike to base of Katahdin took a bit longer than they expected because "there was a stupid river that wasn't listed in the guide book that we had to ford." Because it wasn't listed, they spent about 15 minutes trying to figure out where the trail went. It seems as though other hikers were also a bit confused by this river and ended up creating other trails going up and down the shore in an attempt to figure out where the trail went and the best way to cross. <br />
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Finally, Hansel and Gretel realized they had to ford it. Hansel was actually able to jump from rock to rock to get across, which is pretty extreme. There was one leap in which he hopped about 4 feet to the next rock over the rushing water! Gretel wasn't quite as daring so she took off her boots half way and waded through the river. This not the most comfortable for her because the rocks at the bottom were really sharp and she didn't have her Crocks with her since they were only taking the bare essentials to climb up Katahdin. They made it across, frustrated that they had waisted 15 minutes (<a href="http://jabeccawalk.blogspot.com/2011/07/100-mile-wilderness-white-house-landing.html">time is precious</a> to a thru-hiker who has made it all the way to Maine). Half a mile later, the white blazes led them to cross right back over the very same river. The rest of the trail was pretty easy and they blew through the remaining miles to the Katahdin Stream Campground, where I was waiting at the base of Mt. Katahdin.<br />
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Happy Trails!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RiUu6inmNO5K6b8USxtfmYq2tatgmifObJPc0xQRueJ5ECpGJeQ8YRFgJXrh8J9PAX3OXLXgiXiW8yvburLDlcqWxnrrqheOhzulLiQlFuVSHtiy_8PpEG2lz0RERenvmn3ThNf0ZVXh/s1600/DSCN3000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RiUu6inmNO5K6b8USxtfmYq2tatgmifObJPc0xQRueJ5ECpGJeQ8YRFgJXrh8J9PAX3OXLXgiXiW8yvburLDlcqWxnrrqheOhzulLiQlFuVSHtiy_8PpEG2lz0RERenvmn3ThNf0ZVXh/s320/DSCN3000.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That is Mt. Katahdin as seen from Katahdin Stream Campground</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UdDq6QatUtEZxLGhZFdccD_KEDYImo97XiiX8VoT9HU_QO4bueL7RGOr3IEk57Ng6foKSCZRnC-QqlW0zOYZdj5udYeDQWfuhZG2Icq6MIyhN9cH33fHpfNuQ6Z1KvzmjzZSFh7ZeZTu/s1600/DSCN3009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UdDq6QatUtEZxLGhZFdccD_KEDYImo97XiiX8VoT9HU_QO4bueL7RGOr3IEk57Ng6foKSCZRnC-QqlW0zOYZdj5udYeDQWfuhZG2Icq6MIyhN9cH33fHpfNuQ6Z1KvzmjzZSFh7ZeZTu/s320/DSCN3009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hansel and Gretel coming out of the woods and not quite recognizing me yet. Note Hansel's confused countenance as I snap this photo. </div>mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-6923625240773476172011-07-18T23:55:00.006-04:002011-07-28T11:14:38.183-04:00SURPRISE!As Hansel and Gretel were finishing up their last mile in the 100 Mile Wilderness (the 31st mile of the day) they played the song game to pass the time. Hansel got stuck on a song and fell silent when Gretel started singing... at least that is what Hansel thought. It wasn't until he looked up that he saw Mom in front of him! She and Two Bad Dad had hiked in to meet them and Mom, of course, was singing as they walked! The four of them hiked out together while I hid out in the hotel. <br />
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Mom and Two Bad told Hansel and Gretel that I wasn't able to come to Maine since I had a job interview in the beginning of the week. It could have been true... but it wasn't. They all returned to one of our two connected hotel rooms. Hansel and Gretel had no idea I was listening behind the door in the other room as Hansel recounted the story of his<i><a href="http://jabeccawalk.blogspot.com/2011/07/notch-and-furry-friends.html"> fall on The Notch</a></i> and Gretel hopped in the shower to get ready for dinner. Two Bad took their laundry down the hall so they would have fresh clothes for tomorrow, and while he was "loading the clothes into the drier" he took me to the restaurant we all planned on eating at once Hansel and Gretel were all cleaned up. I chatted with the waitress in this rather empty bar and grill while I waited for the family to arrive. 15 minutes later, the rented white suburban pulled up. Sitting in the middle of the table with a huge menu open and covering my face I listened for all of them to get closer. Then... SURPRISE! I dropped the menu and sat grinning at Hansel and Gretel who didn't quite realize what was going on at first. I watched as their faces changed and suddenly realize that the goofball sitting alone at a table for five was their very own sister!<br />
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"I knew it!" Hansel yelled! "There was no way you had an interview!"<br />
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"I didn't!" Gretel said. "I had no idea!" <br />
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The three of us exchanged many hugs in the middle of the dinning room and some of us might have even gotten a little teary-eyed in the midst of it all. We proceeded to have a delicious dinner with drinks and lobster and plenty of laughter! <br />
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We returned to the hotel where the second room was revealed. Hansel and Gretel prepared for their final hike- Gretel braiding her hair and Hansel dividing their candy stash into two even bags that they would carry up Katahdin tomorrow. I took a video of the two goofs preparing. It's probably a bit longer than it needs to be, but it's a pretty accurate representation of a typical dialogue. This was right before bed and they were both very tired after their 31 mile hike. <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yRVclIxlFs">Click here</a></i> to see one of their final conversations before the big climb!<br />
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Happy Trails!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP10s4g8iB0g63mpu92FTwczo-fEFeZ32c4P0bZHx9gp8rbUCZQYuqcQE52WeikDPt-pgiAy-fW2Gu2Vt9M7w3HLZHnbNK8K0nICsECO22NcxyGi3q5Wc9LovIvPrNKxSqVEDiPhvxMPj2/s1600/DSCN2993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP10s4g8iB0g63mpu92FTwczo-fEFeZ32c4P0bZHx9gp8rbUCZQYuqcQE52WeikDPt-pgiAy-fW2Gu2Vt9M7w3HLZHnbNK8K0nICsECO22NcxyGi3q5Wc9LovIvPrNKxSqVEDiPhvxMPj2/s320/DSCN2993.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Whole Fam Together Again!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPqlWxPQM7qPQSB-Tcx7lT9J2-txBzPXujgryh6YnthqKmbsWsSee2xbe4_A6pKrw4GBNV2ufp9-QxAWb7eCTPuHScLMdDhm1UxNwVQXNDECbwTj3zhKV_xma4Zlc0Hd_RXU5JgCRa0sh/s1600/DSCN2995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPqlWxPQM7qPQSB-Tcx7lT9J2-txBzPXujgryh6YnthqKmbsWsSee2xbe4_A6pKrw4GBNV2ufp9-QxAWb7eCTPuHScLMdDhm1UxNwVQXNDECbwTj3zhKV_xma4Zlc0Hd_RXU5JgCRa0sh/s320/DSCN2995.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hansel counting out the Good and Plenties</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLahKkvwqtNCIb4U9oKddRO9CK2KJUppUa27FBYHoCG0s1jrEfQ7p0drwhUfdH5vstA9L5L8NI_LWicQ7oiASExhthE0lB85EiRszE1VViMojP6aCsikoj5MzkvVyWGIsuFSdWG9S0pGHW/s1600/DSCN2997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLahKkvwqtNCIb4U9oKddRO9CK2KJUppUa27FBYHoCG0s1jrEfQ7p0drwhUfdH5vstA9L5L8NI_LWicQ7oiASExhthE0lB85EiRszE1VViMojP6aCsikoj5MzkvVyWGIsuFSdWG9S0pGHW/s320/DSCN2997.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hansel and Gretel with their blogger in the midst of blogging</div>mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-20955524080203273182011-07-18T23:45:00.035-04:002011-07-27T18:12:49.774-04:00The 100 Mile Wilderness: White House LandingWhite House Landing: advertised as "an oasis with the 100 Mile Wilderness." Hansel and Gretel stayed here their last night of the 100 miles. The method of access to get to White House Landing was truly unique. The hostel is located about a mile off the trail. Hansel and Gretel had to wind their way along the shore of another lovely Maine lake until they came out to a dock. From the dock, they were able to see the house across the lake. At the end of the dock, there was a fog horn. They tooted the fog horn and a guy came out of the house and boarded a little boat which he used to cross the lake and collect Hansel and Gretel. <br />
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White House Landing had a few private cabins where hikers could stay, though these were a little more expensive than the bunk house where Hansel and Gretel slept. The house had no electricity and the pluming was fed straight from the water in the lake which the owners of the hostel pumped every day. For this reason, they asked that showers be restricted to as few minutes as possible. The water was warmed by solar heat. They didn't have a true bathroom. Just a compost privy. For dinner, you could pay for one of two options. You could either have a 1-pound burger or a 14-inch pizza. Hansel selected the burger and Gretel got the pizza... although, Hansel ended up consuming half of Gretel's pizza since she got full after 4 slices. "Gretel wimped out," Hansel explained. For desert they had homemade whoopee pies- a Maine staple!<br />
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The next morning, the White House Landing care takers agreed to serve breakfast at 7am so that Hansel and Gretel could hit the trail as early as possible. They planned on leaving their packs at the hostel where Two Bad, mom, and I could hike in and pick them up so that they would be able to slack pack a 31 mile day to finish the 100 Mile Wilderness. Also staying at the hostel were two South Bounders, just beginning their AT excursion toward Georgia. Hansel and Gretel finished their breakfast quickly and prepared their day packs so they were ready to go. They would have to take the boat back across the lake in order start, but the two South Bounders were moving very slowly. <br />
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"Hey, we're ready to go when you are," Hansel said to them in an effort to get them to move it along. Apparently Hansel was a litte too subtle and these South Bounders just didn't get the hint that they really wanted to leave asap. Their boat driver was also fully prepared and the three of them were just kinda sitting around waiting for the other hikers to get it together. <br />
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Finally the boat man said, "You know what? Screw 'em! I'll waste the gas. I don't care." Once on the boat and out of ear shot he expressed a few more sentiments. <br />
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"These f***ing South Bounders. THey don't know what they're doing. You guys are quick. You have it together. You know what you're doing. But these South Bounders, they take forever. You're always waiting on them. They piss me off." <br />
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And he was kind of right too. North Bounders have the routine down. By the time they reach Maine, they are very efficient and they understand how important their time and energy is. Nothing is waisted. South Bounders have not yet realized this. The guys running White House Landing were also extremely efficient, so they appreciated Hansel and Gretel's timeliness. It was very kind of the boat man to take Hansel and Gretel across early, because they certainly did have a long day ahead of them. <br />
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Later that day, mom, Two Bad and I hiked into the woods to retrieve Hansel and Gretel's packs. There was a road that took us to the edge of the woods, and then we had to walk about .5 miles to the house. Well, we would have had to walk .5 miles <i>if</i> we had taken that left turn at the start of the trail. Instead we hiked about three quarters of a mile until mom called the White House Landing to clarify the directions. Even driving in was kind of crazy. There were no real street signs. Instead we were given land marks. "It's the third turn marked by a boulder that has graffiti on it. Then turn left at the place with a hundred signs (*see picture bellow)." Somehow in all those directions, we missed the left turn at the start of the hiking trail. So our 1 mile pack retrieval ended up being a 2.5 mile pack retrieval. This was my first time hiking since breaking my ankle, but luckily the trail was flat and tame, so the 2.5 miles were nothing too worry about. We got their packs, took some pictures, and headed to the hotel. <br />
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Happy Trails!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOSd5Pgdmc2uRH7ky5ZaNYhyWM-DZYLQSuRCy9Mh12iQOQlvHxiiJSY8uKpv92WSMbOMp3Y4fmnCHMYw7WEelFo7b8CtHxMHGdBwRG8OGPMdJB7cZeIAc5IhTYyjuwIhJa2E9cVXQtIqL/s1600/DSCN2977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOSd5Pgdmc2uRH7ky5ZaNYhyWM-DZYLQSuRCy9Mh12iQOQlvHxiiJSY8uKpv92WSMbOMp3Y4fmnCHMYw7WEelFo7b8CtHxMHGdBwRG8OGPMdJB7cZeIAc5IhTYyjuwIhJa2E9cVXQtIqL/s320/DSCN2977.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The left turn marked by 100 signs to get to White House Landing.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eogpJEk4GU788o3uohzPdJq7I1Vm3neu3IS5yggjTd4SZ8SBdRR3JoR_p3IMzIhpnssvmqJCL3iWHLSue7bAcVZMJo0ELvTLRh3eVoAVbkP3Npe831tpljRt30Od36_WAH0ggyzG0efO/s1600/DSCN2979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eogpJEk4GU788o3uohzPdJq7I1Vm3neu3IS5yggjTd4SZ8SBdRR3JoR_p3IMzIhpnssvmqJCL3iWHLSue7bAcVZMJo0ELvTLRh3eVoAVbkP3Npe831tpljRt30Od36_WAH0ggyzG0efO/s320/DSCN2979.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mom and Two Bad looking out at the lake at White House Landing. You can see the small motor boat that brought Hansel and Gretel across the lake.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSD1qy6f4Uduxbt9xKGL7QqY5GVru-vtYeqrGavvh3FkDVpFHAVcGRTYnOwDj2WFLssjU1VHms-eV7OhL6yd-VeQs6TpwRdWCORqB931xtGx4XI4PrXibVvS-iNLStASwo3GPg2mO_bHR/s1600/DSCN2983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSD1qy6f4Uduxbt9xKGL7QqY5GVru-vtYeqrGavvh3FkDVpFHAVcGRTYnOwDj2WFLssjU1VHms-eV7OhL6yd-VeQs6TpwRdWCORqB931xtGx4XI4PrXibVvS-iNLStASwo3GPg2mO_bHR/s320/DSCN2983.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me, Two Bad, and Mom at White House Landing, collecting Hansel and Gretel's packs.</div>mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-27928499349025071732011-07-18T17:16:00.001-04:002011-07-27T15:11:41.628-04:00The 100 Mile Wilderness<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hansel and Gretel left Monson in the morning at hit the ominous sign indicating the start of the 100 Mile Wilderness.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, having covered 2,000 miles of the Trail, struggled through the heat, and battled the mountains of New Hampshire, the 100 Mile Wilderness turned out to be much less threatening than the sign and the stories made it seem.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In hindsight, Hansel and Gretel thought the sign was really kind of ridiculous.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It seems really serious, but it’s definitely not has hard as they made it out to be."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are even back roads that drive in and out of it.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the caretaker at one of the campsites said, “Yeah, ‘100 Mile Wilderness’ is kind of a misnomer.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More like ‘100 Mile Inconvenient Resupply.’”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s true that the wilderness does not go through any towns, but the threat-level is not much to speak of.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7WsHJhd5soq1pUe2ML5-15Bo8AOIdBeJKn1THYGBMEpJI4EboEBn07RYlRm6X2hHzG42tcUIP46dmdLmq-EhZLOhyphenhyphenoCu3kcR3Xt5WCeQrbkTniWjEpKNHL4jqK-7L7B2Fe0waEZai977/s400/100mile.wilderness.jpg" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hansel and Gretel were in and out in 4 days. The first day they hiked 26 miles, the second they did 21, the third they hiked 23 miles and the final day they covered a whopping 31 miles. (That is actually 101 miles if anyone did the math since they had to hike an extra mile to bet picked up at a road.) There were two difficult mountains to climb, some steep uphills, some ridge-walking, a big downhill, but other than that, their main challenge was finding ways to occupy their brains for the long hikes. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Towards the end of the day their brains would be feeling particularly fried which is sometimes the recipe for negative feelings to pop their way out. To distract themselves from these negative feelings, they would play little games as they walked together. Here are some examples of the games they played:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Word Association Game:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Person A says a word and then Person B says the first word that comes into their mind based on the word Person A said. In response, Person A similarly says the first word that pops into his mind and the came continues switching back and forth between the two people. After a while, you stop bouncing back and forth and try to recall the entire sequence word by word, reflecting on how ridiculous the associations became. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Movie Connection Game: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This game is much like the word association game only it is played with movies. Person A states a movie title. Person B then provides a new movie title that pops into their head because of some connection to Person A's movie title. The movies could be connected or associated for any reason at all. It could be because they have a similar actor, or because they were set in the same place, or they have a common theme, etc. The connections can be very loose. For example, Hansel provided the movie "Along Came Polly" and Gretel responded "Kindergarten Cop" because both movies have a ferret in them. Another connection they made was Gretel said "Jerry Maguire" and Hansel said "</span>Philadelphia<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">" because Bruce Springsteen wrote songs for both movies. Hansel and Gretel ended up playing this game a lot because it was really pretty mindless. They didn't have to think too hard since pretty much anything works. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Song Game:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For this game, Person A provides a word. Then each person has to come up with 2 songs that have that word in it, while taking turns sharing their songs. Since Person A provided the word, he must also provide the first song. After Person B has provided their 2nd song, they sing the song until they feel like stopping on a new word. The word that Person B stops on because the word for a new round of the game. This was a great game for Hansel and Gretel because if they both knew the song, they would end up singing the whole song together before continuing on with the game. As you might imagine, this takes time so 50 minutes would pass by and they would only have been through 4 rounds of the game. That is almost 3 miles worth of singing!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">They also played the 20 Question Game. Person A thinks of something and then Person B has 20 Yes/No questions to figure out what Person A is thinking. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So for the most part, the 100 Mile Wilderness was just kinda boring. Most of it was low elevation so Hansel and Gretel were just walking through swamp areas or pine forests. There wasn't much to see, although one thing that they really loved about Maine, was that there were so many beautiful lakes! Unlike other places on the east coast, no one lives around the lakes. They were just in the middle of the woods surrounded by trees. They would be hiking along and suddenly come to this gorgeous body of water! </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hansel and Gretel were also very lucky to have had perfect weather while hiking through the 100 Mile Wilderness. There had not been much rain before they started it, so everything had plenty of time to dry up. If it had been rainy, they probably would have had to go much slower and the trail would have been swampy and floody the whole way. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Happy trails and some new games!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSbubb-k66aDqTLj3zglNN94E5p4OructhlPO16C6HXP07iQABtHUGyJqfVphHOq8pPOIlBjZ82zXgXin_zHo1fhpk8i4fvm085KRWGkXkPhZjL53ej-6ab7FxVUwk19slqjZIfVeatrt/s1600/IMAG0125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSbubb-k66aDqTLj3zglNN94E5p4OructhlPO16C6HXP07iQABtHUGyJqfVphHOq8pPOIlBjZ82zXgXin_zHo1fhpk8i4fvm085KRWGkXkPhZjL53ej-6ab7FxVUwk19slqjZIfVeatrt/s320/IMAG0125.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hansel with a real picture of the scary 100 Mile Wilderness sign</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div>mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-72126588970260386192011-07-14T22:57:00.008-04:002011-07-27T11:04:07.726-04:00Munchin' in Monson<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Shaw’s Hotel in Monson served as Hansel and Gretel’s final stop before the 100 Mile Wilderness. They were greeted by a lovely woman who gave them the basic expectations of all Show’s visitors. “So basically, this is a home, and while you’re staying here, it’s like your home. So just treat it like your home. There is a computer you can use. There’s a kitchen. Let me know what you need.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">After Hansel and Gretel took their showers and started settling in, they came upon most wonderful surprise!<span> </span>A mysterious package with their names on it!<span> </span>As it turned out, someone who had been following Hansel and Gretel’s story suspected that they would be staying at Shaw’s before going into the 100 Mile Wilderness!<span> </span>“Such a wonderful surprise!”<span> </span>Inside the package were some terrific goodies: Gatorade, Cliff Bars, trail mix, and a very kind note!<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">When Hansel, Gretel and I were little, we went to a very talented and very knowledgeable soccer trainer, Mr. Turnbull.<span> </span>Our family has remained in touch with the Turnbull family over the years, and when Hansel and Gretel started their journey, Mr. Turnbull shared their adventure with all of his current students at <i><a href="http://scotchplains.patch.com/listings/soccer-skills-and-drills">Soccer Skills and Drills</a></i>*.<span> </span>The surprise package came from the very thoughtful family of one of his current students.<span> </span>Thank you very much!<span> </span>Such kindness (in addition to those Cliff Bars) is the perfect fuel for this adventure!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hansel and Gretel didn’t leave Shaw’s as soon as they should have and when they hit the grocery store at 6:15, their spirits dropped a little when the sign on the door said the store was closed.<span> </span>“We were like, ‘Aw shoot! This stinks!’<span> </span>‘cause we really needed to get stuff,” Hansel explained since they were beginning the 100 Mile Wilderness the following morning.<span> </span>As they stood outside of the store trying to figure out what they were going to do, a man popped his head out the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">“Ah, can I help you guys?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">“Yeah!<span> </span>We really need to get some groceries.<span> </span>Just a couple of things because we are going into the 100 Mile Wilderness tomorrow and we are a little short on food.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The man quickly opened the doors to them and explained that he was just closing up, but the register was still open.<span> </span>He was such a nice guy and he even gave them a free post card!<span> </span>So far Monson was turning out to be a great little town with such friendly people!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Following their resupply at the little grocery store, they walked down the street to </span><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/spring-creek-bar-b-q-monson" style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>Spring Creek Bar-B Q</i></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, voted #1 </span>barbecue<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> in the state of Maine!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">They had a delicious meal and while they were on their way out, they stated conversing with a fellow who had hiked the Trail in 2001.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He now owns an organic farm and had just returned from the market.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He had a ton of delicious veggies in his truck which he generously offered to our Hansel and Gretel.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He talked a mile a minute in rambles with an excited tone.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As Hansel retold the story, it sounded as if this hiking farmer was an auctioneer speaking very quickly without any pauses between sentences.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">“Hey you guys want some vegetables I have all these vegetables I have spinach you want spinach You don’t want spinach I have broccoli I have carrots Carrots are great You can just munch on them while you walk…”<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">He ended up giving them a ton of vegetables and the carrots were, in fact, delicious!<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Happy Trails!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">*If you would like to pick up some excellent ball skills, develop a love for soccer ballet, learn some fun soccer trivia (do you know Pele’s real name?), understand the meaning of good sportsmanship, improve your handshake, and meet a truly sincere and thoughtful person, you should look into <i><a href="http://scotchplains.patch.com/listings/soccer-skills-and-drills">Soccer Skills and Drills</a></i> with Mr. Turnbull.</span></div>mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-76690408972974842402011-07-13T17:10:00.021-04:002011-07-18T17:24:10.754-04:00Fairly Funny Ferry Frolic<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This morning, Wallace took Hansel and Gretel back to cross the famous Kennebec River. This is the only part of the trail that a thru-hiker is instructed to take a mode of transportation other than his feet. The Kennebec is apparently too deep and dangerous to ford, so the trail guide says to take “the ferry” across the river. Now the ferry only runs between 9 and 11 am, so it was very important that Hansel and Gretel get there on time. Wallace delivered them will little difficulty. Eager to see this dangerous river and the special ferry that would bring them safely across, Hansel and Gretel made there way towards the bank quickly. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Their arrival was accompanied by a hearty laugh. At the bank of the river stood a man wearing a brown knit wool cap that was pinned up on one side and had a feather sticking out of it. It sort of resembled a Robin Hood hat if you can imagine it. His hair was very long and he had a beard of course. When he opened his mouth to speak, Hansel and Gretel counted about 6 existing teeth, all of which were pointing in different directions and were stained yellow, maybe ever brown. This was a serious hill-billy man. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The grand ferry they had anticipated turned out to be a 3-person canoe captained by this toothless, bearded, Robin Hood hill-billy. Further more, the river itself was as calm as can be. Hansel was pretty sure he could have walked across it quite safely. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The “ferry driver” could only take two people in his boat at a time and there were already 3 people waiting at the shore so Hansel and Gretel had to wait a little while. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">When it was their turn to cross, Toothless Robin asked them to sign a release form and gave</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> them life jackets to wear. Looking at this docile river made the need for life jackets seem like the most ridiculous thing ever. This whole situation was just ridiculous. Maybe at different times of the year the river is more treacherous, but today, the danger element was seriously lacking. When it was their turn to cross, Hansel took the front seat and assisted with the paddling. Toothless Robin paddled in the back and Gretel got a free ride in the middle. The most difficult part of the Kennebec crossing turned out to be showing up on time! I suppose after 2,000 miles of adventure, it doesn’t hurt to have a less eventful river crossing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Happy trails and dental floss!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_27bIIJ2k73_W5vNOHA3uVtkEEFTKHtXluR6gclk35KuBugPOaGi6EmXOBypewWMu9Zd-4yiGfVgS3_h9FaG18AEDDyUY0z1YsfrSOI7D_gIHJ6IgBErr9csfA3ld_UJ5J010S8c1uYC/s1600/IMAG0113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_27bIIJ2k73_W5vNOHA3uVtkEEFTKHtXluR6gclk35KuBugPOaGi6EmXOBypewWMu9Zd-4yiGfVgS3_h9FaG18AEDDyUY0z1YsfrSOI7D_gIHJ6IgBErr9csfA3ld_UJ5J010S8c1uYC/s320/IMAG0113.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the words of Gretel: "The especially not-so-epic crossing of the Kennebec via canoe."</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYA8_ClX6AQk5mHHpxE7fq3s6PMRme8JXrZP_DJPQEeRCMrB58-L7qm-XWxiP2UVrSdmrshqo71xykb0N-mwhmiYMChYl3Gv39O1ik_bObptApNSpqqaMwKwTWYbdylaPDJ8262KsL7IUG/s1600/IMAG0118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYA8_ClX6AQk5mHHpxE7fq3s6PMRme8JXrZP_DJPQEeRCMrB58-L7qm-XWxiP2UVrSdmrshqo71xykb0N-mwhmiYMChYl3Gv39O1ik_bObptApNSpqqaMwKwTWYbdylaPDJ8262KsL7IUG/s320/IMAG0118.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hansel paddling in the front. Note the oh-so-necessary life jacket. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-73299175644617069192011-07-13T10:14:00.002-04:002011-07-18T00:41:20.291-04:00Wallace of Sterling Inn<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Tuesday morning Hansel and Gretel found themselves in search of another shuttle. They identified the Sterling Inn as a good place to stay so they called and rather confused sounding girl picked up the phone. Gretel told the girl they would be coming out of the woods at Logging Road right before the Kennebec River. The girl on the line had never hear of Logging Road and started saying things that didn’t really make any sense to Gretel, “Well, I’ll leave Wallace a note, but the owner would really know.” Who is Wallace? Where was the owner? Gretel was confused about the whole thing. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Well Wallace called back a little while later. Apparently Wallace does a lot of shuttling back and forth to the inn. He is actually the inn keeper’s husband, but the inn keeper is a nurse and lives about 60 miles south during the week. She is only at the inn on weekends. Wallace spends his week living with his dog in some kind of a camp. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So Wallace said he would come and pick up Hansel and Gretel. He really wasn’t sure if where Logging Road was, but he promised Gretel he would be there. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">“We’ll probably get there around 7,” Gretel told him. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">“Well,” Wallace responded, “I’ll be there by 5 o’clock. I’m retired and I’ll be there.” And he hung up the phone before Gretel could say anything else. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Now usually Wallace takes a nap in the afternoon, but he was so worried that he wouldn’t be able to find Logging Road that he couldn’t sleep. So, he skipped his nap and packed a backpack incase Hansel and Gretel didn’t make it. He wanted to be prepared if he was going to have to stay out there over night waiting for them. He brought a change of clothes, some food and a stove just to be safe. His wife was worried he wouldn’t be able to find Logging Road and might get lost. “What if you don’t come back?” She asked him. “Well, if I’m gone for more than a month, you can call the authority,” Wallace assured her and he set off. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hansel and Gretel emerged from the woods much earlier than they had told Wallace. At 5:30 they hit Logging Road, but don’t you worry. Wallace had been there since 3:30 waiting for them! He greeted them with a cooler filled with cold beer, water and soda (he wasn’t sure what Hansel and Gretel would want to drink). On the ride home, Hansel and Gretel learned that Wallace was a retired railroad worker where he had been for 40 years. Before that, he served in the Viet Nam war. The drive to the inn took about an hour since Logging Road was on the other side of the Kennebec River and there are very few crossing points. Wallace didn’t seem to mind one bit. One thing about this lovely gentleman was very clear: he LOVED his life. Wallace was just the happiest person Hansel and Gretel had come across this entire trail. It just seemed as if everything he was doing and everything he had done was just the great thing ever! Although his life might not sound so exciting to anyone else, for Wallace, his life was a dream come true! Hansel and Gretel took a liking to him immediately. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Once their caravan had arrived at the inn, Wallace recommended a restaurant called Northern, which was right down the road from Sterling Inn. Hansel and Gretel invited Wallace to join them. He cheerfully obliged. When they walked into Northern, it seems that EVERYONE knew Wallace. Hansel and Gretel felt like they were walking around with some kind of celebrity! They learned that the restaurant runs a lot of rafting trips and they often call Wallace to either shuttle people around or to put the adventurers up in the Sterling Inn. In any case, Wallace was a delight, and he positive attitude was definitely contagious that evening! He even started referring to Gretel as “B” since that is what Hansel calls her (short for Becca, he really life name). Thanks for taking such good care of Hansel and Gretel, Wallace!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Happy Trails! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqM6jwoe4YBJD5TrHrkcqWuZ5SbafGCnHWtR00oJsU6K6bx2ri8FmVf5kQZ_cYn_hyPhug65b-ZQFwDAuVWs-IquH3XHkg7KlfKfj2gV0UXFPykeh_CTh1NcVS75Q_k38P2BQtpUiuA07q/s1600/IMAG0122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqM6jwoe4YBJD5TrHrkcqWuZ5SbafGCnHWtR00oJsU6K6bx2ri8FmVf5kQZ_cYn_hyPhug65b-ZQFwDAuVWs-IquH3XHkg7KlfKfj2gV0UXFPykeh_CTh1NcVS75Q_k38P2BQtpUiuA07q/s320/IMAG0122.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hansel and Gretel with WALLACE!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV64ENe_fjnbEfC5kkklK85pjZl6OO7DmlcvmgGnD1HgVU4XLSrVS1onlxv3mdPkzSqBHYnMZXm2vdeOZPofYKYuQPuOnAMED-ULIpwAJ8W-nRD5DKAaj-UKDyLd8NrxEN_GsmOjJ1KrQ4/s1600/IMAG0124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV64ENe_fjnbEfC5kkklK85pjZl6OO7DmlcvmgGnD1HgVU4XLSrVS1onlxv3mdPkzSqBHYnMZXm2vdeOZPofYKYuQPuOnAMED-ULIpwAJ8W-nRD5DKAaj-UKDyLd8NrxEN_GsmOjJ1KrQ4/s320/IMAG0124.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hansel fording a river with the help of a rope and some sticks... actually they really weren't very helpful. Oh well!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-23880972961853078972011-07-12T23:57:00.005-04:002011-07-18T00:01:39.419-04:00Crazy Cravings and Linda<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Perhaps the people in Maine know that by the time thru-hikers get to them, they are very tired and are doing all they can to finish the trail as quickly as possible. For this reason, there is an assortment of inns and hostels that will help thru-hikers slack pack a good portion of the state. Monday morning Hansel and Gretel were in search of such an inn. They were calling around when someone gave them the phone number for the Chamber of Commerce. Although they were pretty confused as to how the Chamber of Commerce was going to help them, they were pleasantly surprised when they were connected with Linda. She runs a shuttle service and actually ended up driving 40 miles to collect Hansel and Gretel! Linda then proceeded to take Hansel and Gretel to get some ice cream (every thru-hikers vice) and then to the store due to a tremendous craving that had come over Gretel. Gretel <i>needed</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.ellios.com/"> Ellio's Pizza</a></span>. No one can be sure why Ellio's was on her mind. Mom used to heat it up in the toaster oven for lunch when we were little, but truth be told, it leaves something to be desired in the delicious department. In any case, Gretel got her Ellio's. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The next day Linda picked up Hansel and Gretel to take them back to the trail. When they climbed into her van she pulled out some fresh, hot, homemade blueberry coffee cake! It was delicious! What a great way to begin the day!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Happy Trails!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRMB6EJxYWjAMBssDKX5D5oQDHeRjHW9z4d8xn8X55MsMB8nEAh0eEbqJ3G1T5f5RLyiwk5ELEQF1hmFi-ROOng1n8W9wzQib-uJIgMKsPfeIOQT5DJzmf3BwFkIR-6zWXZrerx0wyIq2/s1600/Ellio%2527s.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRMB6EJxYWjAMBssDKX5D5oQDHeRjHW9z4d8xn8X55MsMB8nEAh0eEbqJ3G1T5f5RLyiwk5ELEQF1hmFi-ROOng1n8W9wzQib-uJIgMKsPfeIOQT5DJzmf3BwFkIR-6zWXZrerx0wyIq2/s1600/Ellio%2527s.jpeg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-72663141616201949172011-07-12T10:10:00.001-04:002011-07-12T10:21:42.369-04:00100 Mile Wilderness Challenge is upon us!Just a reminder to all that The 100 Mile Wilderness Challenge is soon to begin! Hansel and Gretel are in their final stretch of the journey and of their mission to raise 10,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. Our family friends, The Hansen's are very generously proposing a final fundraising challenge in which they will match every donation that comes in up to $500. <br />
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To see proposal written in grater detail, you can click <i><a href="http://jabeccawalk.blogspot.com/2011/07/100-mile-wilderness-challenge.html">here</a></i>. <br />
To visit Hansel and Gretel's donation page at MSAA, you can click <i><a href="http://support.msassociation.org/site/TR?pg=fund&fr_id=1030&pxfid=5981">here</a></i>.<br />
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We are so thankful to everyone who has already contributed to Hansel and Gretel's goal and for all of the support everyone has been giving throughout the entire AT experience. You all have been truly wonderful!<br />
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Happy Trails!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">A few shots from the top of Baldpate Mountain </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaLCyYThnWoYjWPuuHzy9Iq1BmLVSCbAm_-mUsTYghiUpoTIjwSDHYgI8yquOePPH9NuMIuclMF3lABZY12I3X8XLElZbaZaM2_UVc35afbbQ0Y_9b1VhSAelQyjfXqaxVqgQBzQ61Z5w/s1600/IMAG0108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaLCyYThnWoYjWPuuHzy9Iq1BmLVSCbAm_-mUsTYghiUpoTIjwSDHYgI8yquOePPH9NuMIuclMF3lABZY12I3X8XLElZbaZaM2_UVc35afbbQ0Y_9b1VhSAelQyjfXqaxVqgQBzQ61Z5w/s320/IMAG0108.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hansel </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1ucplovqCDVJhHssvn0-skOj8Z3uPyXF8MupQoOeGxcIWpFwhB0VKdMJujnNtTwaTAm_7QJ0WlkcSVMzdfno5Whpk2zjDYOVuyT-ouxxZr33mzmFKLEKdpcY5T4uQud75b3bxUUutgsZ/s1600/IMAG0109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1ucplovqCDVJhHssvn0-skOj8Z3uPyXF8MupQoOeGxcIWpFwhB0VKdMJujnNtTwaTAm_7QJ0WlkcSVMzdfno5Whpk2zjDYOVuyT-ouxxZr33mzmFKLEKdpcY5T4uQud75b3bxUUutgsZ/s320/IMAG0109.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gretel</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0R5bbCe5M5nXJ5bjCcL7xs6X_LmNtZAffAcIUDfQLJcpBhJ3zGDJTQWnlOO7xQHlZpITyATUC_cI-eV3i5fgFjuLmmfay1OcbBYOyJHp55-e4SyNpwXVwBFlS0vVPWgPJOgM8xEmdxo-/s1600/IMAG0110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0R5bbCe5M5nXJ5bjCcL7xs6X_LmNtZAffAcIUDfQLJcpBhJ3zGDJTQWnlOO7xQHlZpITyATUC_cI-eV3i5fgFjuLmmfay1OcbBYOyJHp55-e4SyNpwXVwBFlS0vVPWgPJOgM8xEmdxo-/s320/IMAG0110.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hansel at the edge of the world!</div>mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-33412900171086342962011-07-08T22:02:00.001-04:002011-07-13T18:26:27.432-04:00They Forded A River!"Today we forded a river!" Gretel announce. Just like they do in <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Oregon_Trail_(video_game)">Oregon Trail</a></i>! Their very first river. Did they have to ford a river? Probably not, but they figured it would be good practice for the future rivers they would likely need to ford. Maine is apparently loaded with them. One south bound hiker claimed there were 30 rivers you had to ford. Hansel and Gretel thought that sounded a little high considering they haven't had to ford any in all of the states they have hiked through, but it could be possible. There is actually one river crossing that is actually impossible to ford. The Kennebec River is far too deep so the Trail Guide dictates that the true white blaze trail includes a ride on a ferry. Typically speaking, white blazer thru-hikers (Hansel and Gretel) are not allowed to take any kind of transportation that is not in their own hiking boots, but it is actually very dangerous to cross the Kennebec any other way. <br />
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What does it actually mean to ford a river you might ask? It really just means that you walk straight though the water because there are no bridges or stones to cross. This was not a particularly high or rapid river. In fact, the highest point only came up to just bellow the knee. Gretel did her best to take a picture of Hansel, making the experience look as epic as possible. Mostly, crossing the river in this manner was just a nice way to end the day. They put on their Crocks and the cold water feels great after a long day of hiking. The road marking the end of their hike was visible from the river so they knew they would not be traveling miles in wet attire. <br />
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Happy trails and pleasant fording!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyO5ZvAGpiqMs9-gJuODwMtG_w5FJXN_Ug5bo3sj0kqAZ9PIzSY_9M2DrIbTTaKDVEXAchhIngkNZYRyAN1IIBYAb9sOHiZT3QRE1TofalJfgFe0ANmC7EJUFBN9y5E0CF_dkIAmX5IED/s1600/IMAG0111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyO5ZvAGpiqMs9-gJuODwMtG_w5FJXN_Ug5bo3sj0kqAZ9PIzSY_9M2DrIbTTaKDVEXAchhIngkNZYRyAN1IIBYAb9sOHiZT3QRE1TofalJfgFe0ANmC7EJUFBN9y5E0CF_dkIAmX5IED/s320/IMAG0111.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hansel fording the river</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnAgEYUPJsxMzcEXONib1hZRbHxmB9cqQvf81Ifk6zuaA4a-OnS0XKSpP7HUEpXEGO_-v7XRjdGN6AYkoYPAD6yRDyA7OeIuCvqHruMzgMb_cYFMbXsXQNutohC0HIrSofcF8InSHBDtX/s1600/IMAG0112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnAgEYUPJsxMzcEXONib1hZRbHxmB9cqQvf81Ifk6zuaA4a-OnS0XKSpP7HUEpXEGO_-v7XRjdGN6AYkoYPAD6yRDyA7OeIuCvqHruMzgMb_cYFMbXsXQNutohC0HIrSofcF8InSHBDtX/s320/IMAG0112.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Clearly, this is NOT the most epic river fording experience, but there will be more to come!</div>mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-65663313253823767432011-07-08T21:52:00.025-04:002011-07-28T17:16:25.090-04:00The Notch and Furry Friends<div style="text-align: center;">MAINE! </div><br />
The final state! At the state line, Hansel and Gretel have covered 1,896.9 miles and have only 281.4 miles to go!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2zrGrn99uTPUG2weGmo40N-qQ_DRmhc6_uCU6Ek91lI_CdjDtRNkl1UpGAcO2V-Fndlyf20kKm4ZlJaF-HfQc5LTp1EQOK9oFSwSnSjWSokePLYd2WAPJ3w_TyAqUHo4fRAFypb7nQDh/s1600/StateLine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2zrGrn99uTPUG2weGmo40N-qQ_DRmhc6_uCU6Ek91lI_CdjDtRNkl1UpGAcO2V-Fndlyf20kKm4ZlJaF-HfQc5LTp1EQOK9oFSwSnSjWSokePLYd2WAPJ3w_TyAqUHo4fRAFypb7nQDh/s320/StateLine.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gretel at the NH/ME State Line!</div><br />
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"Yesterday, there were two eventful things that happened," Gretel said at the beginning of the regular Trail Check-In. The first was that they completed what has been called the most technical mile of the trail. Basically, you are bouldering/rock climbing for an entire mile. This particular mile is called "The Notch."<br />
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"It looks like someone threw a bunch of car-sized boulders into a hole!" Gretel said. Sometimes you are leaping from boulder to boulder; other times your have to climb down in between boulders. Hansel and Gretel were constantly taking off their packs and handing them to one another since there was no way they would have been able to fit through with their pack still attached to their back. "There was lots of weird maneuvering." When they climbed down into the holes between boulders, the temperature would drop up to 20 degrees and they could see ice and snow down in the crevices left over from the winter!<br />
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In some ways, The Notch is kind of fun and it's a great example of how Mother Nature can be an expert when it comes to designing play grounds. In other ways The Notch can be rather dangerous and should be handled with extreme caution. Very early on in their mile of madness, Hansel climbing up a rock and lost his footing taking a 5 foot fall straight down into a hole! He was very lucky to have had his pack on, because he managed to slide perfectly into a hole, wedged in between his pack and the rock he had been trying to climb. Miraculously, he barely hurt himself. He came out of the hole with a scrape on his shin and a slightly banged up shoulder, but nothing too serious. "We both have taken a lot of spills in this last part of the trail. We're looking pretty beat up at this point." Gretel described Hansel's fall as being "<i><a href="http://www.freetetris.org/game.php">Tetris</a></i> style." He just slid into perfectly into place. We can chuckle at this little slip now, but the truth is, Hansel and Gretel were both a bit "freaked out" after it happened. Falling 5 feet into a rocky crevice would be enough to rattle anyone's nerves! I think that qualifies as being stuck between a rock and a hard place. It took them 2 hours and 15 minutes to hike 1 mile today. That was by far the slowest mile they have hiked yet. I'll remind you that when they did the Maryland Challenge, they were covering about 3 miles per hour!<br />
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The other point of interest the Gretel wanted to share was in reference to their stay at the <i><a href="http://www.mahoosucmountainlodge.com/">Mahoosuc Mountain Lodge</a></i>. They found the phone number for this hostel in the AT Guide book, but were very confused when the answering machine said they had reached the Mahoosuc Guide Service. As it turns out, the hostel doubles as a lodge for leading sled dog trips in the winter time. When Hansel and Gretel arrived, they spent the first hour just going from fence to fence, petting beautiful sled dogs. They had 35-40 dogs on the property, all of which were a very unique breed that is actually indigenous to the Yukon. They are not bred for anything except for sledding and there are no two dogs that look alike. Some looked like a <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyrenees">great pyrenees</a></i>, others looked like <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Husky">huskies</a></i>. They are pretty tall dogs and the males are usually between 80-100 pounds. <br />
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The lodge itself was recently refurbished. The top floor has bed rooms and kitchen space, while the first floor was left open, making it the perfect site for barn dances! Hansel and Gretel got an entire room to themselves and they were also given a bunch of ingredients to make their own burritos. Chef Gretel was all over that, and cooked up a delicious dinner! <br />
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Other than that, their day was mostly uneventful. They have been passing more south bound hikers and not many north bounders with the exception of one rather large group that started their thru-hike in February. The Mahoosuc Mountains, although challenging (i.g. The Notch) are not nearly as scenic as the Whites were. Some hikers have dubbed the mountain range "Mahoo-suck" since there are never any views and some of the rock faces on the Trail are really difficult. Many of them are very flat so you are either climbing up on your hands and knees, or sliding down on your butt. Gretel actually tore a huge hole in her rain pants from sliding down. Good thing they are almost to the end! <br />
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Happy trails and happy dogs!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpT5RsQMPUOX8KuMYcSpj6hMxpI2f06VZZRNNWlmDo7nbKxgxfpE-2FzNkOJF1qlhbR1EZUf71QAjVMF_kVS8D27G0VRTBk6s8eOP2xP38CO_LkHrl-FPm1VhWfpqQOyx81BO9t-wY_WT/s1600/IMAG0197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpT5RsQMPUOX8KuMYcSpj6hMxpI2f06VZZRNNWlmDo7nbKxgxfpE-2FzNkOJF1qlhbR1EZUf71QAjVMF_kVS8D27G0VRTBk6s8eOP2xP38CO_LkHrl-FPm1VhWfpqQOyx81BO9t-wY_WT/s320/IMAG0197.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Notch- note the ice that is visible in the crevices!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkVAMtgtiguxuSrK5QCuLIJkBZbJP51yCJ9FGnVyMtKHYwnA_mQfzHY2_7OfPj304lMu_LxzuB_BKwxnGei2ogUrB61i9qIjMr4xYmcPFutMomxXW98XwXiubQ0PqD9Qj4sGTiPlfus2i/s1600/IMAG0198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkVAMtgtiguxuSrK5QCuLIJkBZbJP51yCJ9FGnVyMtKHYwnA_mQfzHY2_7OfPj304lMu_LxzuB_BKwxnGei2ogUrB61i9qIjMr4xYmcPFutMomxXW98XwXiubQ0PqD9Qj4sGTiPlfus2i/s320/IMAG0198.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hansel making his way through The Notch</div>mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-5749927889363810912011-07-08T15:46:00.000-04:002011-07-09T15:51:56.076-04:00Two Bad Plus<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here are Two Bad's reflections from his most recent trip through Vermont.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcgvMFhaOB93_Xuub4VZuTSHQtHuRPqgjvuVwbbP2IgOcGgtd3lkn5zrve4qMe3FGvrrefyqwG8U_yg1ZYOuvQmCe9NJYf2P2c1YmwumGcYZVLLh0CwLAuV4zS8h86VYuubza5QuLletY/s1600/IMAG0076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcgvMFhaOB93_Xuub4VZuTSHQtHuRPqgjvuVwbbP2IgOcGgtd3lkn5zrve4qMe3FGvrrefyqwG8U_yg1ZYOuvQmCe9NJYf2P2c1YmwumGcYZVLLh0CwLAuV4zS8h86VYuubza5QuLletY/s320/IMAG0076.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Two Bad and Gretel back on the Trail</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Becca, aka Gretel had been off the trail as she was getting a few things sorted out. Our “Wonder Woman” has law school beginning in August and needed time to get some things worked out so her trail legs would need to be worked back into shape. I told her that Two Bad would be happy to hit the trail and help her ease back into the 20+ mile routine she had worked up to. So Vermont would be our entry point back onto the trail and we’d do a few easy 10-12 mile days ahead of Hansel until he would catch us somewhere in the middle of the state.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Our best laid plan then met “Murphy’s Law”! The “easy” ten miles on our first day failed to account for the fact that there is no access to Vermont at the Massachusetts/Vermont border. We set off at noon from Williamstown, MA adding four miles to our day. <span> </span>The other discovery we made is that Vermont is more accurately known as “Vermuck”! An unusually wet spring has turned the trail into a mass of puddles and mud. Our boots quickly became mud covered and the footing was tricky because it was so slick. Rocks and roots were slippery so we had to slow our pace but also needed to make the shelter before nighttime.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">In spite of the tough going on our first day back, we still had been making decent time until at about 10 miles in; I slipped and fell while crossing a stream. The wet rocks were slick and I fell hard onto the rocks and landed in the stream. Water filled my boots but my right forearm broke my fall and I had a gash and large swollen area surrounding it. Gretel helped me get pressure on the area and wrapped it with my bandana. I also had begun the process of daily falls by banging my right knee and hip on the rocks when I fell. Tired legs and slippery rocks are a recipe for problems. Becca was great, helped me up, got me bandaged and then off we went.<span> </span><span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">As we hiked together over the next few days we had plenty of time to talk. Becca set a good pace and found her trail legs very quickly while I struggled with the mud and slipperiness of the wet rocks and roots. For some reason, my right knee and hip seemed to absorb most of the impact of every fall. She recognized that my leg was taking a beating and whenever her pace set her ahead of me she’d patiently wait as I caught up. We maintained our two mile per hour pace over the first days we hiked together, slow for her but just fine for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">That first night found us arriving late into the shelter which was quite crowded. We met a section hiker named “Fish Man”, he is a retired professor and an expert in fish farming. Very neat guy to talk with, he has three children and was very impressed with what Becca and Jarrod are doing both hiking and fund raising. As usual, Gretel did the cooking and we got a decent night’s sleep, <span> </span>I knew already that I’d be sore the next day!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Our second day was a 15 mile trek! We started with a very long and rocky downhill; I prefer a climb since they are easier on the knees! Our reward for this major descent, we got to cross a road! The mud and muck continue to be the dominant features of Vermont. Becca and I both have some slips and falls but hike on. The first day she picked me up, literally out of the stream, but today she is struggling with what still lies ahead and questions her strength to finish the trail. So now I have the chance to pick her up! Several hugs along the way, reassuring her that I will be with her every step of the way through Vermont and then Jarrod was there to the end, and telling her that I have come to see that she is perhaps the strongest person I have ever known helps to settle her a bit. It is still a very tough day! But the shelter is really cool with a nice view right out the front. We have a piped water source which gushes freezing cold and delicious fresh spring water. And we meet “Crockett”; he is hiking the “Long Trail” which runs from Vermont to Canada and overlaps with the AT through part of the state. We’ll travel with him for several days. He shared an insight for keeping black flies away, place a fern on the top of your head. As goofy as it sounds, Gretel and I both try it and it works! I look like Caesar and Becca has a leaf growing out of her head but we avoid the flies! We enjoy a good laugh and decide that the next time we see “Crockett” we will thank him for the advice!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Our next morning begins with “Red Rider” rolling into our camp! He is a through hiker that Becca knows. <span> </span>We’ll cross each other’s path several times while hiking through Vermont and “Red Rider” will be one of my favorite hiking acquaintances. In the course of our travels together we will have several times when the two of us talk at length about life and family and society. The kinds of conversations you have when there are no distractions like TV or the telephone. Though I may never have a chance to see him again, I believe that I got to know him well and will be thinking of “Red Rider” and his daughter as they summit Katadhan on July 28<sup>th</sup>, God bless you my friend!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">We make plans to push through to Manchester Center. There is a hostel there which will allow us to dry out, do laundry and get a shower. We’ll also need to cover 18 miles! We enjoy the best trails thus far, dryer and much less muck to contend with, I manage to keep my feet the entire day! We enjoy some nice weather, a great view from Stratton Mountain and good discussion. Becca is planning on getting a cat when she starts Law School. She has been thinking about names and arrives at “Collins”! She’ll listen to Phil as she drives her kitten home and then read Billy to it every night! As we hike, I think about a nice Tom at the end of the day, does anyone drink them anymore I find myself wondering?! A short break for lunch at a shelter and I leave a message in the trail ledger saying we were in for lunch and then on to Manchester, we don’t often write in to books but this turns out to be a good idea, trailing right behind us is Hansel and when he reads our plan he pushes harder to catch us and spend that night together in the hostel. We pass a group of hikers and one of them happens to have just graduated from Union College, she roomed with someone that Becca knows, small world!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">When we reach the road, the cell service is spotty. We call and find that the hostel is open and has room for us. Then we get a call from Hansel, he is just minutes behind and looking forward to being reunited with Gretel and Two Bad! It’s great to see Jarrod and after big hugs all around we set off with a driver named Joe LeBlanc, he is a local who recommends that we get some dinner at a restaurant on the way to the hostel. We enjoy an outstanding meal at “The Perfect Wife”! I wish my perfect wife could have been with us, but she is just finishing her last day at school. We call her and catch her up on all news from the trail. The day ends at the Green Mountain Inn. An amazing hostel run by Jeff who has turned a house into a thru-hikers dream! Hot showers, laundry and a kitchen stocked with cereal, bread, eggs and soda! He is one in a million and will be remembered as someone very special. His walls are covered with hiking memories and he has assembled photo collogues from hikers who over the years have stayed at the hostel and then sent pictures from Katadhan.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">From this point on we have rain each day. Over the next few days we’ll all have some memorable slips and falls. The highlight will be the airborne full horizontal fall that Jarrod takes on a bridge! The Russian judge would have given him a perfect “10” for that one! He gets up unhurt, but in the course of the day I will end up with a turned left ankle and a sprained left wrist. My knee is now “super- sized” and hip aches. But I wouldn’t trade this for the world! Being here with these two is very special and I couldn’t be more proud of what Jarrod and Becca are getting so close to accomplishing!<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Once again I find myself amazed with the nonstop banter that Jarrod maintains throughout the day. He keeps us all laughing and I know that both he and Becca are glad to be reunited! You can’t have Hansel with no Gretel!! We have fun in spite of the rain, slips and Vermuck! I have no doubt that Becca can finish the AT with Jarrod. <span> </span>They are planning the last two states and shelters they will make and timeframe to reach the end, the target is around July 18th. Finishing in less than 4 months will be quite an achievement; over 500 miles walked each month!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><span> </span>Thank God for Becca! With another toe nail coming off on my left foot, my socks turning pink from the bleeding and no way to keep them dry, Gretel came up with the plan! The Inn at Long Trail is a legendary hiker’s haven. We could stay there, get dried out and “slack pack” out of the Inn for two days. We’d be able to cover more miles and get dry each night! We’d also have some good meals at the Irish Pub at the Inn. Connor, Murray, Patty and of course Oaky are the owner and family who own the Inn. They are super nice and very helpful. Oaky, the front desk manager has some great stories he shares and we truly relished our time there. The Pub food was delicious and each night we had entertainment from the “Blarney Rebel Band”. A Celtic Band from Utica, NY made up of three Italian brothers! How can you ever beat that! I recommend them highly! <span> </span>Our evening ended with an Irish coffee and the best Irish Soda Bread Pudding in the world!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">My days with Hansel and Gretel are but a few and will be over much too quickly! The memories and experiences will never be forgotten! Becca demonstrated throughout our time that she is a tremendous planner. Always thinking through all the options and keeping a level head. Her inner strength and will remain undimmed by personal challenges, she is a formidable force! <span> </span>Jarrod has shown that he can lift you up and keep you going through his example and his light heartedness. His leadership will serve him well and people will always gravitate to him and stand firmly with him in whatever future endeavors he may undertake!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><span> </span>I’ll never get my 20 mile day in, coming up about .4 of a mile short but still not bad for an old man!<span> </span>I will long and fondly remember the group of thru-hikers I have had the chance to share the trail with, many I have mentioned in these comments I share. The bumps, bruises, aches and pains will go away, the laughs, challenges and memories will not. I thank all of you who have read these words and hope that maybe they will inspire you to get up and go take a hike, it isn’t hard and we’ve got some beautiful places to explore, you may find you really enjoy it! I thank all of you who have graciously supported Hansel & Gretel in their efforts to raise money for MS; your support has been outstanding.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">But most of all, I’ll forever be thankful to Jarrod and Becca (Hansel & Gretel) for having shared this time and their adventure with me. I remember well how the AT provided my children with their first backpacking trips and now it is the venue for this experience of a lifetime! To them I simple say “Keep it up, don’t let anything get you down and I’ll see you guys at Katahdin!”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqwNJKl-hY54WbyetDHu3onTV328u5rH9J3SiQBZ3IfuwW_EHMVK1mKoBbcQbbisuFUM9UZbQkJl86HK3vkPN6T8uMhIXeo8sMYbc4aissyMRoWE4jaGjewWrKyYtmi9_6aBmoDvv03iV/s1600/IMAG0079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqwNJKl-hY54WbyetDHu3onTV328u5rH9J3SiQBZ3IfuwW_EHMVK1mKoBbcQbbisuFUM9UZbQkJl86HK3vkPN6T8uMhIXeo8sMYbc4aissyMRoWE4jaGjewWrKyYtmi9_6aBmoDvv03iV/s320/IMAG0079.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Two Bad and Gretel at the MA/VT boarder</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div>mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-430069355721393232011-07-08T15:26:00.001-04:002011-07-09T15:29:21.012-04:00Reflections from Two Bad<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are in for a treat today!! Two Bad has completed his memoires from his two trips with Hansel and Gretel! The post that follows is from his first 10 days with Hansel and Gretel when they were hiking through Virginia. It is quite special to have a first hand account of life on the Appalachian Trail! Thanks Two Bad!</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reflections from Two Bad</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">So what’s in a name? In May as I began a hiking journey with my two youngest children, joining them as they hiked the roughly 2200 miles of the Appalachian Trial, I was well aware of the trail names given to section and thru hikers. My children had received theirs in Georgia when they began the trail, what else but “Hansel and Gretel” for a brother and sister heading off into the forest together. Along the way, they haven’t been dropping bread but rather gloves and shirts (see other blog postings) as they maintain a punishing pace to reach Mt. Katahdin by mid-July. My first day on the trail with them was filled with doubt. That first day’s distance was longer than expected and ends in a rain storm. At the shelter, the first of many thru hikers I would meet, “Grad School”, and the kids gave me my name. Two bad hips, knees and feet - what else, I will forever be “Two Bad”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Dinner on my first night was pasta and a real trail treat, a “Little Debbie’s” Star Crunch for dessert. That night, as I crawled into my sleeping bag I was damp and tired. My legs cramped midway through the night and as I lay awake, I realized I was freezing. The temperature had dropped to the mid 30’s and my 3 season bag just wasn’t making it. Thoughts of death by hypothermia ran through my head as the kids peacefully slept. But as day dawned, I was still in the world of the living and looking forward to the adventures to come with Hansel and Gretel!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">As we hiked, I knew that my two children had slowed to allow me to keep up with them. Hiking through the Virginia country side we cross many open fields and cow pastures, makes for some fun as the cows stare us down and I wonder what, if anything, <span> </span>is going through their heads! That first full day we hike 14 miles and at the shelter I have the pleasure of meeting “Calculator” when asked about his name, he very matter of factly says to me, “well I have a PHD in Math.” “Really” I quip, “No”, he corrects, “just good at math and figuring the miles between shelters.” When we meet he has the classic bandana on his head, later when he removes it I discover he has a huge Mohawk! Calculator is a great young guy and keeps a blazing fire going for us. The shelter is not too crowded and the highlight for us all is an impromptu concert by “Six String”, “Disco” and “Blue Sky” who are all carrying stringed instruments on the trail.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">The number of thru hikers I will meet in my two trips is quite large. Jarrod at one point says to me that I am an inspiration being out there on the trail with them. I tell you that the inspirations are people like “Ike”, “Silver Fox”, “One Grey Wolf” and of course “Grandpa”. These are thru hikers my age or older. They get up every morning and set out to hike 10, 14, often 20 miles. They are retired business men, mechanics, and other professionals who are taking on another of life’s challenges and doing it with a grace and style all uniquely their own. Each has his own story, like “Dead Man” who happened to be from New Jersey, in fact graduated 45 years before Jarrod from Seton Hall Prep, what are the odds of that happening?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">I learn a lot while on the trail with Hansel and Gretel, I see first-hand the strength of my children. They hoist their packs on each morning and often never take them off all day, lunch as they move. I see the organization they have built into their daily schedule. Rising at 6 am and out by 7, not a simple task when you have to break down your tent and pack all your gear. <span> </span>Becca turns pasta or rice with the occasional mashed potatoes thrown in, into delicious dinners every night with a culinary flair that is all her own while working with the most basic of ingredients. A dash of sun dried tomato in that herb pasta adds a new flavor and turns it into a 5 star meal. Jarrod maintains a constant banter as we hike which lifts everyone’s spirits, no matter the circumstances. Not jokes, just interesting quips and thoughts that range from movies to books to music to comedians to life itself. He draws us into his dialogue and this makes the miles drift by.<span> </span>I also realize that these kids are really smart; often I find I do not have any idea what they are talking about as they review British Literature or Eastern Religions. But it is another chance for me to learn something new every day!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">I also learn to really enjoy “Trail Magic”, the treats left at trail crossings by thoughtful people. These include oranges (my personal favorite) or bananas, soda or beer, chips and other munchy treats. The folks who take the time to leave these magical treats may have hiked the trail themselves, know someone who has or are just wonderful individuals who appreciate what this trip is all about! Whatever their motivation, everyone on the trail appreciates their kind gestures and relishes the next treat discovered further down the trail!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">My travels allow me the pleasure of sharing camps with “Bum Knee”, “Schmuck” and “Evergreen”.<span> </span>All are interesting characters from various walks of life. These three are traveling together and clearly enjoy each other’s company.<span> </span>“Evergreen”, six plus feet with a huge “Viking” looking beard has plans to return to Louisiana and open a “U-pick it” farm. He is a kind hearted mountain of a man and keeps us all laughing. “Schmuck” is a light hearted young guy from the Boston area. He had worked in an auto body shop doing high end antique car restorations, an interesting change!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">The hiking is tough on my knees, particularly the down hills. I also am cultivating some interesting blisters! Becca and Jarrod take turns being my nurse and draining and then duct taping them. It’s amazing how they are forgotten through the day but when my boots come off, they jump right out at me.<span> </span>At least the days are all relatively sunny and clear and we see some nice vistas and enjoy pleasant campfires at our camps. The shelters are all clean and fairly comfortable but one in particular is a favorite. It is a three tiered, post and beam constructed unit and we share it with three generations of a family that hiked in about 3 miles from a trail crossing. We also have “Mean Gene”, “Bean Pole” and “Ike” in the shelter when we call it a day. Just as we are dozing off to sleep, “Grandpa” rolls in. He often hikes into the night to keep up with the younger hikers, “Mean Gene” and “Bean Pole”.<span> </span>The addition of “Grandpa” adds a new dimension to the shelter, incredibly loud snoring!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">On Mother’s Day we tent camp. Enjoying a really great campfire and we have cell service so we all wish Donna a happy Mother’s Day from the mountains of Virginia! I have had many chances to reflect and appreciate what a wonderful experience this time has been. While we are not with Donna on Mother’s Day, I think we all feel the specialness of a great mother and an incredible wife! Though apart, in many ways we all clearly feel the closeness of our family on this day!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> We have been doing 14-15+ mile days and my legs have held up well enough. Still, I realize that these two could have been burning along at a much greater pace. They also would be out of camp much quicker each morning since I am the one who sits around enjoying a cup of coffee to start my day. But a large part of this experience is enjoying the environment we are in. The simple things, all the trappings stripped away and a cup of coffee is a treasure! I also reflect often on just how lucky I am to be here with two of my children and feeling very much alive as I am able to push myself physically each day (thanks Vincent). I’ll return home, tired and blistered but clearly a bit thinner, more fit and feeling a sense of accomplishment. I do regret that Amanda has a broken ankle. She had been thinking that she could have been a part of the Virginia trek with us but that plan will not be happening so she will continue to be the chronicler of the adventures of “Hansel and Gretel” on their epic march north! </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-2grVUQT1ZYnl9bs0glIKlpf9XqV26Kv54uJJCl8mdi09iSFNmJLVZ4atzTr44dWUI17MxYcKvjj7U1Ujaf1ld1xUDUTTu-XQbq7cqfVo3H7-9IIEQLujY6DWXircjLXDtEyteT3sWy7/s1600/IMG00019-20110509-1348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-2grVUQT1ZYnl9bs0glIKlpf9XqV26Kv54uJJCl8mdi09iSFNmJLVZ4atzTr44dWUI17MxYcKvjj7U1Ujaf1ld1xUDUTTu-XQbq7cqfVo3H7-9IIEQLujY6DWXircjLXDtEyteT3sWy7/s320/IMG00019-20110509-1348.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-1329712182468228772011-07-06T17:22:00.003-04:002011-07-06T17:46:22.258-04:00100 Mile Wilderness Challenge<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Greetings to all! For today’s entry I’m turning this blog posting over to two longtime family friends, The Hansen’s. They are declaring a challenge to our readers to support the efforts of Hansel & Gretel on behalf of the<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.msassociation.org/" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: orange; line-height: 18px;">Multiple Sclerosis Association of America</span></a><span style="line-height: 18px;"> (MSAA). Please read on and consider joining their <u>matching fund challenge</u> to support the millions of individuals living with M.S. through a donation to the<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"> </span></span><a href="http://support.msassociation.org/site/TR?pg=fund&fr_id=1030&pxfid=5981" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: orange; line-height: 18px;">Jabeccawalk.</span></a><span style="line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Hansel and Gretel are making their way towards the New Hampshire-Maine line and beyond that their final destination, the peak of<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"> </span></span><a href="http://web.ncf.ca/fd978/baxter/index.html" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: orange; line-height: 18px;">Mt Katahdin</span></a><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"> </span>and the end of the<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.appalachiantrail.com/" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: orange; line-height: 18px;">Appalachian Trail</span></a><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">.</span> Between Monson, Maine and the final ascent up the mountain lies the </span><a href="http://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-100-mile-wilderness/" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: orange; line-height: 18px;">100 Mile Wilderness</span></a><span style="line-height: 18px;">. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> This section of the trail is known as the toughest and most challenging, both mentally and physically. Careful preparation is required prior to completing this section of the trail. Only a few gravel logging roads provide access in emergency and there are no supplies points along the way. The terrain is rugged and the weather is known to be especially unpredictable in this region. Their daily mileage will drop off as they begin to ford streams that can bring waist high cold water and some sections of the trail remain excessively muddy from the spring run-offs. Despite these challenges, hikers still attest to the incredible beauty of this section. Its remoteness lends to the stillness and pristine woods that make it so unique. Beyond the Wilderness lies the final climb to<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"> </span></span><a href="http://web.ncf.ca/fd978/baxter/index.html" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: orange; line-height: 18px;">Mt Katahdin</span></a><span style="line-height: 18px;"> the highest point in Maine and the end of the A.T.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7WsHJhd5soq1pUe2ML5-15Bo8AOIdBeJKn1THYGBMEpJI4EboEBn07RYlRm6X2hHzG42tcUIP46dmdLmq-EhZLOhyphenhyphenoCu3kcR3Xt5WCeQrbkTniWjEpKNHL4jqK-7L7B2Fe0waEZai977/s1600/100mile.wilderness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7WsHJhd5soq1pUe2ML5-15Bo8AOIdBeJKn1THYGBMEpJI4EboEBn07RYlRm6X2hHzG42tcUIP46dmdLmq-EhZLOhyphenhyphenoCu3kcR3Xt5WCeQrbkTniWjEpKNHL4jqK-7L7B2Fe0waEZai977/s400/100mile.wilderness.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Over 400,000 people in the United States have<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001747/" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: orange; line-height: 18px;">multiple sclerosis</span></a><span style="line-height: 18px;">, and for each one of those individuals, there are family members and friends that are affected by their diagnosis as well. MSAA exists to enrich not only the quality of life for the individual with MS but for everyone who is affected by the disease. By providing direct support and services,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.msassociation.org/" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: orange; line-height: 18px;">MSSA</span></a><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"> </span>helps to make life easier for individuals living with<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001747/" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: orange; line-height: 18px;">multiple sclerosis</span></a><span style="line-height: 18px;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">We once hiked </span><a href="http://web.ncf.ca/fd978/baxter/index.html" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: orange; line-height: 18px;">Mt Katahdin</span></a><span style="line-height: 18px;"> and are still entranced with its beauty and the memories of the hikers we met that day. The experience of sharing the trail and their stories are a significant part of our wonderful memories from that day. This experience and our shared concern for those dealing with the challenges M.S. provide a special connection to the </span><a href="http://jabeccawalk.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: orange; line-height: 18px;">JabeccaWalk</span></a><span style="line-height: 18px;"> and this final section of the trail.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">So, we’re putting out a <i><u>matching fund challenge</u></i> to our Jabeccawalk community. We will match your gifts, dollar for dollar up to $500 for every donation made as they make the final trek towards </span><a href="http://web.ncf.ca/fd978/baxter/index.html" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: orange; line-height: 18px;">Mt Katahdin</span></a><span style="line-height: 18px;">. Your $25 instantly becomes $50. The larger the donation the more we can give. Our goal is to turn our $500 into $1000 of support for the </span><a href="http://www.msassociation.org/" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: orange; line-height: 18px;">MSAA</span></a><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"> </span>and provide encouragement to Hansel & Gretel during this challenging final portion of their hike. With Gretel back on the trail once again they are united in strength and commitment but, it won’t be easy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Please consider a first-time or additional online donation to their cause on the </span><a href="http://support.msassociation.org/site/TR?pg=fund&fr_id=1030&pxfid=5981" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: orange; line-height: 18px;">MSAA/JabeccaWalk</span></a><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"> </span>page. Checks payable to MSAA may also be mailed to MSAA, 706 Haddonfield Rd Cherry Hill, NJ 08002. Please note “<u>JabeccaWalk Wilderness Challenge</u>” on your check. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We thank you for your generous gift and vote of confidence in JabeccaWalk and their cause to support the MSAA and individuals and families living with M.S. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiIPO0NWRcI8mi3KSzFNzyrGtQyzWvpKGREj0r3pMLHmE8jONTKMLOxganjVt1VB1PcsTDxXdC-ROzQ0riPNNg8q-VYT9U23oVU8qVSn1tWLPpUgNvlgyySlV7buFyV5jaH3ixefe5b0X/s1600/JarBec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiIPO0NWRcI8mi3KSzFNzyrGtQyzWvpKGREj0r3pMLHmE8jONTKMLOxganjVt1VB1PcsTDxXdC-ROzQ0riPNNg8q-VYT9U23oVU8qVSn1tWLPpUgNvlgyySlV7buFyV5jaH3ixefe5b0X/s400/JarBec.jpg" width="108" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-80888171136058350182011-07-06T14:28:00.001-04:002011-07-09T15:08:48.803-04:00Tid-Bit PostSometimes Hansel and Gretel have little tid-bits to share so this will be the tid-bit post.<br />
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First, we would like to mention a little about Raisins. You might remember him from an <i><a href="http://jabeccawalk.blogspot.com/2011/07/heads-in-clouds.html">earlier post</a></i>. Raisins is a rather speedy hiker from White Plains, NY. Hansel and Gretel actually thought they had lost him, but he ended up taking a zero day (when you hike zero miles) and stayed an extra night at the White Mountains Hostel since it was so nice there. Hansel figured he was about 23 years old. Before hiking the AT he had basically no experience hiking. He went on a day hike one time and then decided to just hike the whole trail. When he showed up at Springer Mountain the first day he had about six pounds of raisins. Can you deduce how he got his trail name?<br />
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Another tid-bit is to introduce a new AT Term! Yay! It's been a while since we learned a new AT Term. Today's term is "stealth camping." This term is specific to the White Mountains because so much of the trail is above tree line. The vegetation in this area is extremely fragile since there is little soil and limited protection from wind and weather. Therefore, it is very important for hikers to say on the trail and only camp at designated areas. Unfortunately, there are rare occasions when hikers are unable to make it all the way to the designated camp sites. It is in these times that they must take the last resort option to stealth camp. As you hike through the Whites, you might notice skinny little paths leading away from the trail. They often lead to flat spots where people have set up their tents to spend the night. It is stealth camping because a.) you are trying your hardest not to disturb the fragile vegetation and b.) you are trying your hardest not to get caught by a wilderness authority figure. There are some other ways in which the stealth camping term can be applied and are defined<i><a href="http://sectionhiker.com/stealth_camping/"> here</a></i>. Luckily, Hansel and Gretel have not needed to do any stealth camping. <br />
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There are some abbreviations that Hansel and Gretel have stumbled upon and immediately decided that they are very dumb. "SoBo" and "NoBo" is the new terminology that south bound thru-hikers like to throw out. SoBo means that you are a south bound hiker, and NoBo means you are a north bound hiker. Now that Hansel and Gretel are getting closer to Maine, they have been running into a bunch of south bounders. Apparently, no north bounders use these silly abbreviations. "It kind of irks us," Hansel said. "It's like when people say, 'Oh, you're from Joisey.' 'No, I'm from <i>New Jersey</i>, thank you ver much.' I'm not from Joisey and I'm not a NoBo."<br />
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Other merry tid-bits: Hansel and Gretel met one south bounder named Humble Adouski (no one is sure how to spell it exactly). He was great. As they passed by him he said, "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold up! <i>These</i> (he produced some mini Snickers bars) are for you." A little congratulations gift from a fellow thru-hiker in celebration of Hansel and Gretel's many miles hiked. They also met a couple that were hiking who actually knew them! They said they had been reading this blog and their mom had even donated to MSAA! So awesome! Thanks for reading and thanks for donating to the cause!!<br />
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I think that concluded the tid-bits for now!<br />
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Happy Trails!mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-42644684059157296932011-07-06T13:44:00.086-04:002011-07-11T13:10:32.664-04:00Carter Notch, For Better or For WorseCarter Notch Hut has been deemed the favorite of all the huts simply because it is "SO cool!" It sits nestled in a valley between two huge mountains with a 1,500 foot climb on either side. Hansel and Gretel felt more in the woods and isolated than they did at any of the other huts. They also had the best dinner, and we all know how important food can be to our dear Hansel and Gretel. Homemade black bean burgers on homemade buns, awesome pasta salad, chili, and apple pie for desert! Another point of interest is that Carter Notch is open year round. There is a care taker that keeps it open for very serious winter hikers. How they get to the hut going over the mountains in the snow and ice was more than Hansel could fathom, but it's there for the crazy adventurers who dare try it. In those winter months, the never actually sees direct sun light because the mountains around it are so tall. This makes the hut extremely frigid in the winter.<br />
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The down-side to Carter Notch Hut was that the staff working there left something to be desired (that is a euphemism). Hansel and Gretel have had exceptional experiences with the staff at all the other huts. The crew typically does an excellent job of accommodating thru-hikers and are usually very excited to hear their stories. <i><a href="http://jabeccawalk.blogspot.com/2011/07/huts-and-wormholes.html">George at Madison</a></i> was an excellent example of this. The Carter Crew, however, just didn't seem to get it. Hansel and Gretel were especially disappointed with this because they weren't <i>just </i>thru-hikers, they were<i> paying</i> thru-hikers with a <i>real </i>reservation. <br />
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When Hansel and Gretel stay at a hut, they often try to leave early in the morning so they are able to make it to their next destination. They cover more miles per day than the casual hiker so it's important for them to hit the trail as early as possible. At Carter, they told one of the staff members that they wanted to head out around 7. Unfortunately this is when breakfast starts. At other huts, the crew is always able to give something to Hansel and Gretel before the other guests eat. This Carter crew member didn't seem to understand this but said they usually start preparing at 6:30. So, 6:30am Hansel and Gretel stood in an empty dinning room listening to the echos of distant snorers. Food preparations started at 6:45 and Hansel and Gretel ended up with some oatmeal and pancakes to go. Gretel was so angry. They were just so accustom to the staff being awesome, and the Carter Crew was a huge disappointment. At least the hut itself was amazing. <br />
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They quickly forgot their frustration with Carter Crew because the Trail that day was very difficult. They had to climb over three mountains! The day ended at the White Mountain Hostel, which was terrific. They were actually given spare clothes so they could wash all their dirty laundry. The people running the hostel took them to the store for a resupply and then to dinner! They are a little behind schedule mostly because of their delays before Madison Hut, they are hoping they will be able to make up some time in Maine. The Whites are a really difficult part of the trail and Hansel and Gretel have been pushing themselves extremely hard to stay on track. Right now they expect to finish on the 18th or 19th of July. The end is near!!<br />
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Happy Trails!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlg_TGFHBNvm4_lQqYQFMmlvEsWQnsT6A5vZdcJCSI3B5fhvre0_KpNhc3rvpno4BtIVOzV5lc6lRXo7_VM98UBd1csYjycwNDrIcp9QMzR0KaYtNHffM17ivhiAY-mbNE0Ub42PKzLu9/s1600/IMAG0191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlg_TGFHBNvm4_lQqYQFMmlvEsWQnsT6A5vZdcJCSI3B5fhvre0_KpNhc3rvpno4BtIVOzV5lc6lRXo7_VM98UBd1csYjycwNDrIcp9QMzR0KaYtNHffM17ivhiAY-mbNE0Ub42PKzLu9/s320/IMAG0191.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beautiful sunset views before getting to Carter Notch Hut</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-n3AXypaDjEUKvnX1QNEwNyEoYA8uI3RAaHLP2NBdlIrNYDbzSOLnMwY4eiv33WfbqThpqvCXV7MwDG-8R8lTJzwaPFDx6rLd_WBDb0dYdxcW0hW_JjSFczqjkuH5h1UAQNDHFYeFXbcy/s1600/IMAG0193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-n3AXypaDjEUKvnX1QNEwNyEoYA8uI3RAaHLP2NBdlIrNYDbzSOLnMwY4eiv33WfbqThpqvCXV7MwDG-8R8lTJzwaPFDx6rLd_WBDb0dYdxcW0hW_JjSFczqjkuH5h1UAQNDHFYeFXbcy/s320/IMAG0193.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gretel pauses to admire the view. The Whites truly are magnificent!</div>mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-66245592509626516872011-07-06T13:44:00.000-04:002011-07-09T13:44:30.617-04:00mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-79507195186633488082011-07-04T22:11:00.003-04:002011-07-09T13:41:59.296-04:00Huts and Wormholes<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hansel and Gretel have now visited <i><a href="http://www.outdoors.org/lodging/whitemountains/huts/index.cfm">every hut</a></i> with the exception of Greenleaf. Some they actually spent the night, others they just stopped in for a visit with the crew or got some food. The hut system is fairly straightforward and you received some details on the structure in a previous post, but we can learn a little bit more how it works now. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Basically, there is one Hut Master. Under him (or her though I suppose it would be a Hut Mistress if it was a female. Sounds a little scandalous. Anyway, we are getting too technical already) is the Assistant Hut Master. Then comes the Crew. There are typically 5-8 crew members. It is their job to clean, cook, bring food in, pack out the trash (any garbage that they produce has to be brought back to civilization), and do search and rescue missions when necessary. As a general rule, the staff at the huts are awesome. They are usually good-natured, interesting, energetic people and often very friendly toward thru-hikers and <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Staying at one of the huts can be more than $100 per night and as part of your stay, you get a bed/bunk, dinner and breakfast. If you are thru-hiker, 100 bucks can be pretty steep so the crew works out a deal. Thru-hikers can do a work-for-stay. If they arrive by 5 or 6pm, they are given little jobs like sweeping the floor or doing the dishes. It's generally about 2 hours worth of work. In return, they can sleep on the dinning room floor and they get all the left over food when the guests are finished eating. If there are extra bunks, sometimes they are even allowed to stay in a bed. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You already know that Hansel and Gretel missed the work-for-stay at Galehead, but they still worked out a deal and only had to pay $10 for the night. They were "official" guests at three of the huts. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Dad hooked us up big time," Hansel professed. They stayed at Madison, Mitzpah and Carter Notch Hut. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><div style="font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At Madison Hut Hansel and Gretel made friends with the Hut Master, George. He was completely funny and goofy and had them laughing for at least two hours that night. There is some question as to whether or not he was flirting with Gretel, but in general, he was just a great guy. He also seemed to be a rather humble fellow, but Hansel and Gretel got the sense that he had done some pretty wild and adventurous things. For example, he did the "White Mountains Hut Traverse." This is a challenge in which a hiker must touch each of the 8 huts in less than 24 hours. Now we thought the <i><a href="http://jabeccawalk.blogspot.com/2011/05/maryland-challenge.html">Maryland Challenge</a></i> was bad. The Hut Traverse is an "<i><a href="http://fastestknowntime.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=northeast&action=display&thread=93">ultra-gnarly 54-mile route</a></i>" climbing up and down a number of steep peaks. It's a trip that should really take <i><a href="http://home.earthlink.net/~ellozy/hut-traverse.html">3-4 days</a></i>, but where's the fun in that?? In any case, George has apparently taken on this challenge. </span></div><div style="font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At one point in their conversation, George started playing with <i><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Antigravity-Gear-Mapdana/dp/B003ZTMWQS">Hansel's bandana</a></i>. It's a very special bandana because it doubles as a map of the Appalachian Trail. George took it upon himself to introduce the <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wormhole">wormhole principal</a></i>. This is a concept discussed in physics that represents a hypothetical "shortcut" through spacetime. George found their current location on Hansels mapdana with his finger, then located their end point, Mt. Katahdin with is other finger. As he slowing moved his two fingers toward one other, squishing the mapdana, he concluded that Hansel and Gretel were actually already on top of Mt. Katahdin. Geez wormhole principal, where were you 2 months ago! This whole thru-hiking thing could have been so much simpler!</span></div><div style="font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy trails and happy physics! </span></div><div style="font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Also, some new photos have been coming in that have gone into older posts. Be sure to check back incase you missed something. Click on the links to see pictures from <i><a href="http://jabeccawalk.blogspot.com/2011/06/grand-return.html">The Inn at Long Trail</a></i> and the <i><a href="http://jabeccawalk.blogspot.com/2011/06/tree-line-trekking.html">VT/NH boarder</a></i>! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSk-lcX1AOmOvdwJ-I9ZZMsVamo1LrMt1EpEJ4CL2SuUII-O9qNDDeOtYm4DpXLafYsTCFEWx2Q2OHoRN3qCcmI9XX573CZnHpl5NTQ7OOaHZAYiFt5xZwoWIZWFdmC3E4-8b7bd5J2YQK/s1600/Pinkham+Notch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSk-lcX1AOmOvdwJ-I9ZZMsVamo1LrMt1EpEJ4CL2SuUII-O9qNDDeOtYm4DpXLafYsTCFEWx2Q2OHoRN3qCcmI9XX573CZnHpl5NTQ7OOaHZAYiFt5xZwoWIZWFdmC3E4-8b7bd5J2YQK/s320/Pinkham+Notch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A view of the White Mountains above Pinkham Notch</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2900010507817025818.post-14768306545184390302011-07-03T21:47:00.002-04:002011-07-09T13:38:27.987-04:00Mt. WashingtonMore than 10 years ago, Hansel, Gretel, Two Bad, Mom and I climbed Mt. Washington for the first time. <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Washington_(New_Hampshire)">Mt. Washington</a></i> is the highest peak in the Northeast and it is notorious for its dangerously erratic weather. When we climbed it, we ascended the mountain in a hail storm and fog so thick we had to hold hands so we wouldn't lose one another. We would never have known that we had made it to the top if Mom hadn't tripped over the sign. <br />
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Now was the time for Hansel and Gretel to battle Mt. Washington for the second time. Although it is not technically required as part of the Appalachian Trail, they felt they would be remiss if they skipped over this giant of a mountain. This time, they faced Washington in the rain. Being that high was quite an experience because there were times when they were not completely in the clouds, but they could see the clouds everywhere else. In some places they could see where it was raining miles away. Everything looks blurry in the rainy spots and you can actually see lines in the sky where the rain is streaming down. <br />
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At the top of the mountain, Hansel was able to replace his "This Body Climbed Mt. Washington" t-shirt. He was very excited about this, which is a little bit humorous. Here the kid has hike over 18 hundred miles and summited hundreds of peaks, and yet he is all jazzed up about climbing this one mountain. Not to belittle the Mt. Washington accomplishment. It is certainly a very challenging climb and the weather can be quite treacherous. <br />
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The rest of the day was also not an easy one. The rain, as always, made the trail slick. At one point Hansel took a hard fall, striking his hip on a rock. It hurt so bad he saw stars when he opened his eyes. The trail was slow going. They had plans to go all the way to Pinkham Notch, but when they rolled into Madison Hut at 3:30, they knew they weren't going to be able to pack in the remaining 7-8 miles to get to Pinkham safely. That messed with their schedule a bit and the rain also put a damper on the day (pun intended), but the staff at Madison Hut lifted their spirits and refueled them for the coming days. <br />
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Happy Trails!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqdHthi9b9n3pislDBCOaldj_qVr6evLV55ur4XEKXswyYHCv5evDPud_B9j1Ti_tDzNxCIDWb4fXj7-E4kAjEBhZcvx3dFdZjk0F7Umdp91vuHp8fd50r3hvmfnzBWqFLaiq9FzWPcGV/s1600/IMAG0156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqdHthi9b9n3pislDBCOaldj_qVr6evLV55ur4XEKXswyYHCv5evDPud_B9j1Ti_tDzNxCIDWb4fXj7-E4kAjEBhZcvx3dFdZjk0F7Umdp91vuHp8fd50r3hvmfnzBWqFLaiq9FzWPcGV/s320/IMAG0156.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hansel is pointing his pole at Mt. Washington</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZCmK6UWqpvJGwXKnKWWPJkQ45ccA3Gy_u5eeK8C0nQBlip_MmJhvaxuDRzyBdvlBF_0xO9Apj1Z1VsuTzYNcpXBiG7UUxcgRRsc-6gPe5TiEUd7arSMYotWjJlwr0LmiNaOG25om3vqM/s1600/IMAG0159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZCmK6UWqpvJGwXKnKWWPJkQ45ccA3Gy_u5eeK8C0nQBlip_MmJhvaxuDRzyBdvlBF_0xO9Apj1Z1VsuTzYNcpXBiG7UUxcgRRsc-6gPe5TiEUd7arSMYotWjJlwr0LmiNaOG25om3vqM/s320/IMAG0159.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gretel is framing Mt. Washington with her poles</div>mandaritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725994240544930142noreply@blogger.com0