#at2015

[goownit]

Read Red Pack Walking's final blog post 'Now What': http://go-ownit.com/2016/02/now-what/

On this day, one year ago, I ventured out on the Appalachian Trail in an attempt to thru-hike from Georgia to Maine. Red Pack Walking was the blog I set up to chronicle that adventure. Today, I'm writing the final blog post and saying goodbye to Red Pack Walking.

[imonahike]

Gorham, NH

12 September 2015

I woke up the next morning having slept a solid 8 hours for the first time since I’d gotten back on the trail. Rejuvenated! I finished packing up all my gear that I’d laid out to dry. All chores completed. All things cleaned that needed cleaning. I was good to. First stop. Diner breakfast. Because more food is always good. I got an amazing spread (pictured below) and spent some time writing out post cards. The waitresses were a bit rude to me, but once they realized they hadn’t taken my order after fifteen minutes, they changed their tune. Good thing too, because I really wanted diner breakfast.

So damn tasty. All consumed. Afterwards I dropped off the postcards in a mailbox and headed to the motel that Kestrel and Coyote had crashed in. Kestrel was still passed out, so I crawled onto the futon to nap. Venus, Kestrel’s dog joined me for a bit of it, which was epic. I looooove dogs and missed both of mine terribly, pup therapy is the best. 

Eventually we wandered over to McDonald’s for lunch and then to do laundry. As I munched on my quarter-pounder with cheese, I called a couple of friends back home. It was nice. I went back into the laundromat and the three of us talked it over. I was still not up to par and terribly concerned about the next section, the Wild Cats, which were apparently harder than the Whites had been. Ut oh. I still felt like someone had stolen all of my energy. I wanted to hike, but I was also scared after my last experience. In the end I decided to zero in town while they did the three day section.  After this, we hitched to Wal-Mart to do our resuppply. While there, Coyote convinced me to buy a Magic the gather duel deck pack for us to play. I had always wanted to play Magic! SUPER PUMPED. We went back to the Motel an played a few rounds. Afterwards we went to the Chinese buffet, then back for more Magic and sleep.

13 September 2015

We woke up, checked out of the motel, and headed for McDonald’s again. Coyote packed out some burgers, which I thought was a fabulous idea. Unfortunately, I still felt wretched. I had come back to hike, not sit in town! Kestrel and Coyote hitched out to the trail head, and I hitched down to the hostel. Much cheaper sleeping arrangements, especially as more of a long term prospect.  I stayed at The Barn hostel while Kestrel and Coyote hiked the Wild Cats. And surprise surprise, hikers I knew were there! Part of the fun vortex! Most importantly, Bear Chaser was there, who I had befriended at Trail Days. We caught up on life events. I met the rest of the fun vortex that were staying the night there. Took a fabulous nap, and then we went to Wal Mart and decided on having a group spaghetti dinner. Yes! Real food! Pebbles, who I had only met briefly before, made the sauce and we all sat around the TV, eating and watching Anthony Bourdain. All things considered, a fabulous, albeit unwanted, zero. 

(Hickers with spaghetti!)

14 September 2015

Woke up to bad news, two of the fun vortex, Pebbles and Delilah, had gotten terribly sick in the night. The whole group decided to zero again. Gotta stick together! While the getting ill part wasn’t fabulous, I was happy to have friends. 

I napped for a bit, and then Bear Chaser and I walked down to the library. I updated my blog (heheheh). I picked up a box from the post office for Kestrel. Had a mini dance party with Bear Chaser and Peacock, eventually journaling for a while. It was nice to relax. For dinner, Bear Chaser and I walked down to the Chinese buffet, which it later turned out neither of us had really wanted. Next time we need to express our feelings, dangit! We walked back through the graveyard though, where I took this epic picture of Bear Chaser. The fun vortex would be hiking out the next day and I considered going with them, even though I still felt pretty wretched. I’d been having headaches and constantly felt exhausted. I wasn’t sure what to do.

15 September 2015

Pebbles was still not feeling well the next day, and decided to stay in town while the others hiked out. I decided to stay with her and was glad for the company. I did some research and decided that I would hike out to Andover, ME when Kestrel and Coyote returned. There was a hostel there that could drive me to an appropriate bailout point if I needed it. 

Pebbles helped me carry all of my stuff (and the gear I’d held onto for Kestrel and Coyote) down to the motel that we’d be staying the night in. Kestrel and Coyote were due to arrive in the afternoon. After checking in, we wandered down to the coffee shop for lunch and then walked around a bit. Turned out mini golf was only open on the weekends, which was a bummer. Walked down the river a bit, just generally hanging out. Pebbles was pretty awesome. 

And then Kestrel and Coyote were back! Huzzah! I dropped the key off to them and Pebbles and I went to dinner at the same diner I went to the first night I arrived. It was definitely NOT as good after four days off trail. We said our goodbyes and I headed pack to the motel. I played Magic with Coyote and actually WON. We all made some phone calls since we were hiking out the next day. More Magic. Sleep.

[imonahike]

Hiking Out, etc.

I know, it’s been so terribly long since I’ve actually written a post. I’m hoping to be better about that, especially since I’m planning for me next hike. I guess this is more cathartic for me, but whatever. That’s what blogs are for, right? I don’t even know. Here goes

11 September 2015

I woke up the next morning, not in any hurry. It was raining furiously. I had woken a few times in the night, but all in all slept decently. It had rained most of the night, and even with how fabulous my tent it, I was glad to have a roof over my head. Mark and I talked off and on while it continued to rain. He debated continuing his hike, I said the hike out along the AT wasn’t particularly pleasant either. Eventually it started to slow around 9am, and Mark agreed to hike out with me, even offering me a ride into Gorham, where I would meet up with Kestrel and Coyote. 

The side trail was actually really fabulous. At first it was fairly treacherous since it was so terribly rocky and everything was wet. We only slipped a couple of times and there were no major injuries. Eventually the trail started to flatten out and the rocks weren’t as numerous. We stopped at another RMC shelter on our way out and I called my mom (why are mom’s the best after trying circumstances?) and told her I was hiking out and had a ride to Gorham. After all the rain, once the sun came out everything was washed in this spectacular mist with amazing sunbeams. It was very mystical looking and epic. I enjoyed being in the woods.  We arrived at the road around 2:15 in the afternoon. Hiking in the Whites was just so terribly sloooow. Albeit gorgeous. But rocks were not my friend. Nope. There was a gas station close by where Mark’s girlfriend was going to meet us. I had been so thankful for his company after hiking alone the past couple of days. Apparently the day before had been his birthday, so he was more than all right with hiking out. I bought a yoohoo (my addiction. chocolate “milk” WITH vitamins, OK!?) and downed it. There was a row of bobbleheads in the window and I admired them as he told me about his past hiking exploits and that he was considering retiring. 

Then his girlfriend pulled up. I don’t remember her name and I don’t care to. She immediately started nit picking Mark about various things and it bothered me. She made him change before getting into the car, etc etc. Just rail roaded the man. It made me incredibly uncomfortable, especially because he had been so kind. They did drive me to Gorham as promised, however. The drive was spectacular, seeing the Whites from the road. It was bizarre because it was so sunny and yet had been completely different in the mountains. I was dropped at a McDonald’s and felt suddenly bereft. Everything that had happened. So I sat down on a bench outside and whipped out my handy dandy cell phone, turned on google maps, and typed in “motel”. I was staying in a motel tonight, just for more. And I was going to stay in the closest one within walking distance. DONE. It was more than I wanted to spend, but you know what, I needed it. I cared. Somewhat. But mostly I was thrilled for the scalding hot shower I took. The laundry that I did. And then crawling into a queen sized bed and stretching out and NAPPING. NAPPING. I woke up to texts from Kestrel. She and Coyote had arrived and were wondering if they could crash with me. I was hesitant, not because I didn’t want to see them, but because I wasn’t ready for full on human interaction. At that point they had found another motel that allowed dogs and checked in, I would joint hem the next night. Sigh of relief and a twinge of guilt. I mustered up the courage and walked over to a close-by diner. I ordered a side salad, mozzarella sticks, and a bbq bacon cheeseburger with at least three cokes. No shame. Inhaled it all. If the waitress was impressed, she didn’t say too much about it. I paid and walked back to the motel. Turned on Netflix via my phone and the motel’s wifi and passed out. 

[kaytejane]

Sometimes I get sad bc I have no money bc it all goes to savings. Then I remember this dorky face and why I'm smiling, and it's all worth it. #flashback #AT2015 #CDT2016 #thruhikesyndicate 🏜🏞⛺️🏔🌌🌄

[imonahike]

These are some pictures from my last days in MAINE. It was so beautiful. Did I mention I have an Instagram? Cause I do. It's @imonahike as well =] I'll hopefully be writing more soon, but Lyme disease has been sucking out my soul. Stay tuned for more of the chronicles of Fruit Snacks!

[forestbathing]

To complete our journey we went to go see "a walk in the woods" a movie about the appalachian trail. We have been quoting the trailer since we saw it in Virginia, months ago... Here's my review: A Walk in the Woods / This hour-long, buddy-drama features a dull man (Redford) walking around a TV set with a type-cast Nick Nolte as they get themselves into adventures like shopping at REI, not drinking alcohol, and avoiding female archetypes. (⭐️1/2) #appalachiantrail #awalkinthewoods #at2015

[biggerthanthebeard]

Here's my obligatory before and after picture. From caveman to CPA! I shaved a couple days ago and finally finished the look thanks @activebarbers's great haircut. #postappalachiantrail #backtotherealworld #bittersweet #whosreadytohikesomemore #Iam #AT2015

[imonahike]

I've been hiking, guys. I SWEAR. In the Whites now. I'll try to be better about updating, but it's so hard! I'm thinking if I never get back to it I'll do a bunch of winter posts and reminisce. That sounds legit, right? -Fruit Snacks