Friday, August 31, 2012

Friday, August 31

Talked to Gary on his way hiking back to the trail from Gorham, NH.  He went to the White Mountains Lodge in Shelburne, NH.  He had a good night's sleep, ate at Pizza Hut, went to Walmart, and the owner even fixed breakfast before they left.  He sounded great and seemed more sure.  The author of the AT Guide sent him the pages he needed to complete the journey.  Thank you Mr. Miller.  I haven 't had good reception by phone so hopefully he can call me tomorrow. 


This was taken at Williamstown, MA, mile marker 1584

Gary made a panoramic picture with his camera.  Looks pretty good.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Wednesday, August 29

I hate to say it but think Gary didn't go anywhere today.  He called this morning and was at Kenduskeag Trail and four miles from Gorham, NH on Rt. 2.  He called this evening and was at Gorham, NH  at Rt. 16. I will be so glad for him to get off the trail and possibly have a new map in town.  His mistake was almost minus 20 miles if I have it right. 

More of Mount Greylock









Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Tuesday, August 28

After a couple times I talked to Gary this morning. Without his AT Guide he doesn't really know what is coming up.  He was at Wildcat Mountain peak E so I told him that Wildcat Mountain peak D had a gondola that rides down to a restaurant.  Later he called me from the gondola and was going down for  lunch.  I briefly talked to him this evening and he was camping alone along the trail.  The reception is terrible and our conversations are really brief.  Looking at my copy of the AT Guide the terrain looks so hilly and at this point is around 5,000 feet.  Another good thing about the whole trip...we have had a time getting the Osprey Backpack returned.  I finally found it at the Mountain Meadows Lodge in Killington, VT.  Gary put the wrong label on it and they were holding it.  I talked to the person in charge and he sent it back to me and wanted me to then send him a check for the postage.  It is hard to find people that trusting now days.



A foggy walk to Greystock
 
 



 





 


Sunday, August 26, 2012

Sunday, August 26

I finally got to talk to Gary this morning after several calls....hardly any service where he is at.  It is hard for him to know where he is going since he lost his pages from his book.  He can follow the white marks but doesn't know how far to the next place.  He will get a new one in a few days and be back on top of things.  I have new pictures from the last card and will put some of those on today.  He called again this evening for a couple minutes....he ran out of service but I am happy to know he is staying at a place with other campers.  I feel like he is safe when the others are there.

Cheshire, MA





A hostel


Saturday, August 25, 2012

Saturday, August 25

I talked to Gary yesterday after a day or so with him having no service.  He had stayed at the Zealand Falls Hut (kind of like a 4-H type of camp).  You could work off a night in their place so after only walking 6 miles Gary decided to work off a night.  He cleaned their stoves and griddles.  They got to eat left over food and he said it was cool.  There were no showers but they had electricity so he could charge phone and camera.  They slept on the floor.  It didn't sound like a great place but he said he wanted to work off a night just for the sake of doing it.  He also lost his book that tells what is happening mile by mile.  I had his old wet one so put it in the mail to go to Gorham, NH.  This morning he was at Mt. Monroe almost to Mt. Washington.  Mt. Monroe is over 5,000 feet and he will climb to Mt. Washington today that is 6,000 feet plus.  He has about 332 miles left.  It won't be long!!  I have new pictures but will add my last few from the last card.



 
Looks like a bear box.
 





Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Tuesday, August 21

I talked to Gary this morning.  He had just passed Skookumchuck Trail and headed to Garfield Ridge.  The weather is cooler where he is, people coming south saw snow where they stayed last night.  He is about the 1820 mile marker and at the 1851.3,  Mount Washington  is over 6,000 feet high.  I think the views will be great and bet there is some snow.  I have only a few pictures left on the last card and Gary mailed me another one today. 

These were taken July 23, crossing the MA Turnpike.





Sunday, August 19, 2012

Sunday, August 19

Gary headed off the trail this morning and said the bridge was out so he found rocks and crossed it.  He is staying in North Woodstock, NH tonight. 

I have a few more pics left:









Friday, August 17, 2012

Friday, August 17

Gary called this morning  and said this was his 5 month anniversary on the trail.  He stayed  at the Bever Brook Shelter at mile 1793.3.  He said he saw what he thought was snow flakes blowing yesterday however he was close to 5,000 feet in elevation so it maybe was.  He is going off the hill tomorrow to pick up the food I sent and the new camera charger. 

More pictures from July 30:



Thursday, August 16, 2012

Thursday, August 16

Gary has been in and out of range where he is now.  He did call this morning and had been to a shelter for the night.  He had to pay, I think to stay there but they took them down to a Walmart, fed them breakfast and he had a shower.  He is staying in a hotel sometime next week and will send me a card from the camera.  His camera's battery is dead and I think I am missing some great photos.  He is above the 4,000 foot elevation, getting up above the tree line.  There are small pine trees and chipmunks, no snakes or bears.  The fog is all around him and this morning it was about 40 degrees. 

I think I have a couple pictures from his last card:

This is the Hemlocks Shelter in MA at the 1508.0 mile marker.