Northward 2014

Ducky quacks triumphantly atop the sign marking our LAST STATE LINE. Maine also marks a wonderful surprise -- a reunion with one of my oldest friends, Mambo. It's been over 500 miles but now we're determined to reach the finish, together.

It's hard to decide whether this 23 mile stretch (including Pinkham Notch) was more difficult than it was scenic. The steepness of some of those climbs was unreal! The plus side? We got to come back to Gorham for a second wonderful evening at the White Mountains Lodge and Hostel.

One final look back south at the Presidentials. Gorham, here we come! But first, our first encounter with a (thankfully female) moose.

These beautiful shots were taken the next morning; we woke at around 5 to the sounds of the breakfast crew and quickly started out. Well-rested, we were thrilled to see one of our favorite scenes of our journey so far -- the vast expanse of beautiful lowlands beyond the whites cloaked in early-morning, low-lying clouds. We were so content that we enjoyed second breakfast for what must've been an extra half hour before starting our exit at last from the Whites.

The duck and I have made it to the highest -- and by far coldest -- point in the Whites. Sadly, we missed out on our Mt Washington bumper stickers; they were in the bags we should've received on our drive up. -_-

The iconic (and spacious) Lake of the Clouds hut. Amazing how luxurious it seemed to thru hikers; visitors shelling out upwards of $100/night for a heated bunk with a mattress and decadent dinner could be heard throwing around such words as "quaint" and "dirty." What a difference 1,845 miles makes!

Can you spot the duck? He came out of his hip belt pocket to stare longingly at the upcoming Presidential Range; Mt. Washington was soon to come!

If anyone's seen the NatGeo documentary about the AT, yes, that is the rocky spine from it. About halfway up I realized how far I'd come since watching that scene six months previously; it was a really emotional moment.

Some more spectacular views from the White Mountains, might as well have been the roof of the world.

Another side bonus of getting sick? Reuniting with father/son duo Mosey and Jungle Jim. On the road to wellness we climbed Mt Moosilauke SoBo on a much needed slack pack back to warm beds (say that 5 times fast)

For weeks starting around the beginning of July I was feeling increasingly fatigued, disoriented, and achy. From the 24th to the 26th, I came off the trail and was hospitalized at Speare Memorial Hospital in Plymouth, NH and was treated for Lyme Disease. I can say in all seriousness it was one of the most refreshing moments of my journey; the food was GREAT, I met  nursing assistant and trail angel Margo. Margo and I were fortunate enough to help a woman who was truly, desperately in need. Getting that woman a hot meal, a phone, showing her some love, and helping her find a long-term, safe place to stay was such an amazing experience. Being sick was honestly one of the best parts of my journey.

Backtrack a week (July 14th) -- an absolutely amazing sunset with the very best of friends atop Bromley Mountain Ski Resort

Reunited with former hiking buddy and shoe and sock twin Hoss. What are two long-lost friends to do other than build a rock couch beside a river and share some early morning, French pressed coffee.

Trail magic outside of EVERY HOME make sister cities Norwich, VT and Hanover, NH one of the best trail towns. Trail angels Warren and Toni Thayer opened their home to 5 of us thru hikers and helped make the greatest birthday ever.

Jukebox lookalikes for sale in Woodstock; spoiler -- not as fun as the original

Nearly unlimited visibility from the top of one of the coolest shelters on the trail... and what might be the first view of the Whites.

The relaxation continues with trail magic and a short day into Killington. Nothing makes a thru hiker happier than a hot tub and (wo)man's best friend.