Thursday, July 24, 2014

Thoughts from the first day of the TEST.

On the way to drop me off, Sherry & I stopped at Andover General café/service station in Andover, ME. The cook takes your order, cooks it and delivers it.  That person also runs the cash register. I had eggs, ham, home fries, raisin toast and coffee ($5) Sherry had the same except she prefers Bacon.
Then on to the drop off place at South Arm Road. She kissed me and said, “You are gonna Miss me.”
So I was off on my adventure, solo. I had looked at the profile showing the mountains I would climb and the steepness of the ascent and descent.  I thought they would be tough, and they did not disappoint me, they exceeded my visions.
I was honestly BEAT before I reached the Hall mountain lean-to. A half mile or so before the lean-to I took a  break, I just turned and fell-back onto a good comfortable spot (no rocks sticking up!) I closed my eyes  and lay there. I was about a foot off the trail.
LAST HIKE IN MAINE... JACK 033
I opened my eyes and say a bearded hiker looking down at me, “Are you all right?” he asked, “I thought you were dead!”
I guess I did look like it.Winking smile. My mind spiraled back to a hike Sherry and I made to the summit of Mt. Katahdin. A normal 8 hour hike it took us 22 hours. Anyway once on the way down she slipped and fell back on the trail. She went down easy. After I found out she was okay, I gave her my hand and said, come on get up we have to get down this mountain. She said, “Can’t I just lay here all night?”
LAST HIKE IN MAINE... JACK 010
Well folks, what goes around comes around. Day before yesterday, I knew exactly how she felt. I just wanted to lay there beside the trail.
LAST HIKE IN MAINE... JACK 035
Anyway at the Hall Lean-to I spent the night with 4 hikers and a dog. I did not take their pictures because my ears were not there to help me converse. That is another BIG reason I cannot hike the trail, communications. I could tell the group was talking but I could not join in. That sorta hurts.
LAST HIKE IN MAINE... JACK 036
So  Sherry was right as usual, “IT WAS A LONG LONELY NIGHT IN A CROWD. I MISSED HER! ”
Thanks for coming this way again.
Nite Shipslog
PS:
I did not get the dogs name, but it was beautiful and mannerly. The dog wore a pack with his food and water. (I guess it didn’t need clothes or tooth paste)
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1932 ford
1932 Ford, Eustis Florida

15 comments:

Woody said...

Well, you did a lot better than I could have done, I just went to the Doctor and got a new Breathing Treatment, *(Puffer) to help with breathing with all tis Humidity. It has cooled down to 75!!! you 2 Take care....
sending love and well wishes from Northern New York,
Gary and Anna Mae

Unknown said...

Jack, I didn't watch the movie, but I think the hero in the "Princess Bride" was tortured to death. It turned out okay though because they took him to a magician who declared he was "only mostly dead." I think that would have been a good line for you while the bearded hiker stood over you. ;-)
I doubt anyone is surprised at how you missed Sherry's companionship while you were on the trail. :-)
I know you are disappointed right now in the way things went, but I know it won't be long before you're looking on the bright side.

Rose said...

You both did better than I could have done on the trail.

Hugs to my favorite couple!

Jean said...

I think you did great I couldn't have made it a mile. I feel better that you give it up, and you didn't fail you just done the right thing. I know you're younger than me, ha. Take care, Jean.

TARYTERRE said...

I'm glad you are safe and sound. It looked quite strenuous to me. The dog looked sweet.

Paula said...

If you feel disappointed just think of all the things all of us can't do anymore that we wish we could.

Chatty Crone said...

I agree - you did a whole lot better than I could do!!!!!!!

Cindi said...

You're a champ. Glad you finished. 👍👌👏 amazed.

shirl72 said...

You didn't fail the test you guys
walked 1850 I don't think that is failing. I am glad you decided
to give up the walk. That looks
treacherous footings. WELCOME
BACK..

betty said...

Chalk it up as a good experience and move on to your new adventures :)

betty

Mevely317 said...

Around the third paragraph of your last entry, I started gnawing on my lower lip ... then continued through most my fingernails.
I'm with Shirl - you'd only have failed if you never tried in the first place!

That's the extent of my motivational expertise, but I really mean it!

Oh, and BTW - do they still sell White Birch Beer (soda pop) up there? That was always a special treat way back when, when our family would travel to New England on summer vacation.

Hugs!
Myra

Rick Watson said...

I really need to be hiking myself. Your trip sounds extraordinary.
R

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

Even though you couldn't communicate very well with those folks, I imagine it was nice to meet up with some folks on the trail. That dog is beautiful. It's always a joy to see the pictures you post. Hope you have a fantastic Friday!

Helen said...

Glad that you could finish your hike and it ended safely.

Cher' Shots said...

I can't begin to tell you how much I admire your 'zest' for life. Here I was so proud of myself for finally getting my tennis shoe on after my 2 month old sprained ankle. I still have a lot of soft tissue damage and swelling but I was able to hike down to the end of the block and back today ~ woo hoo!
'love & hugs from afar'