…that you can’t hear it falling. Sitting in bed at the moment listening to the rain hitting the terrific little roof window that my husband installed many years go in our bedroom. It’s a great portal to the wonderful outdoors. Sometimes when the sky is clear we can see a few faithful stars that whisper good night to us and then continue their dance across the sky. At times the moon light serves as a natural nightlight to let us know that all is well with the natural world (well, at least mostly). On nights like these it is somewhat of a temperature indicator. It’s late December and it is warm enough for rain not the snow we would normally have this time of year. During a summer storm the lightning is intensified as it shoots through our window and reflects in the dresser mirror brightening up the room beyond normal. Our little roof window is one of my favorite things about this old house.
But sometimes when it is snowing you can hear the heaviness upon the window. You can hear the coldness in the air. And if you listen close enough you can hear the woods calling, “Come walk with me. Things are quiet and peaceful here. You can hear the crunch of the snow beneath your feet [I wonder what it might be like to go barefoot in the snow] you might even hear your breath or better yet that little voice within.”
The great thing about snow is its silence.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
So Christmas came....
…..and went
Clair came home from Antarctica, by way of South America on the 20th of December. The flight was right on time. It was good to see her. Wait, she has a tan. No actually she is sunburned. Its mid December and our temps have been in the 20s for highs and she has the nerve to walk off the plane lookin’ good – not pasty like the rest of us.
It is good to have her home. Our ‘no permanent address, car-less’ daughter arrived for Christmas. Bethlehem has nothing on us. WooHoo!
It was a fine couple of days. Family, Friends, Frigid weather. And there was snow, good food gifts and did I mention Family and Friends? Our alternative tree, the Christmas branch, gave way to an artificial tree this year due to the fact that the family lumberjack, a.k.a. Jerry, only had the use of one arm and besides there will be no trail blazing for him for some time. Of course, it’s my allergies that prevent us from having a normal real tree anyway. So it was a good couple of days but I tend to get a little grumpy when I get tired and I’ve been tired a lot lately. My apologies to those around me.
Tonight…, more family! Jerry will be showing some of his AT pictures to his family after yet another shared meal. That means we’ll be expected to stay awake until probably after ..…8:00. We’ll do our best….
Clair came home from Antarctica, by way of South America on the 20th of December. The flight was right on time. It was good to see her. Wait, she has a tan. No actually she is sunburned. Its mid December and our temps have been in the 20s for highs and she has the nerve to walk off the plane lookin’ good – not pasty like the rest of us.
It is good to have her home. Our ‘no permanent address, car-less’ daughter arrived for Christmas. Bethlehem has nothing on us. WooHoo!
It was a fine couple of days. Family, Friends, Frigid weather. And there was snow, good food gifts and did I mention Family and Friends? Our alternative tree, the Christmas branch, gave way to an artificial tree this year due to the fact that the family lumberjack, a.k.a. Jerry, only had the use of one arm and besides there will be no trail blazing for him for some time. Of course, it’s my allergies that prevent us from having a normal real tree anyway. So it was a good couple of days but I tend to get a little grumpy when I get tired and I’ve been tired a lot lately. My apologies to those around me.
Tonight…, more family! Jerry will be showing some of his AT pictures to his family after yet another shared meal. That means we’ll be expected to stay awake until probably after ..…8:00. We’ll do our best….
Monday, December 27, 2010
So it is not quite the new year just yet...
...but I feel a resolution coming on…. I feel a need to continue writing and updating my blog. I think it just may be the therapy that I need and if there is no one out there reading it, well, that is okay too.
It had been an interesting journey lately. At I mentioned much earlier, Jerry was hurting when he managed to summit Katahdin. The xrays taken in Maine showed no apparent injury to his arm or leg. Fast forward to the middle/end of November when he visited our internal medicine doctor. After another xray of his still hurting arm, which again showed nothing, an MRI was ordered. Ah, ha the cause of the pain showed itself. A torn tendon which connects the tricept to the elbow.
We visited an orthopedic man and surgery was scheduled. It went well until an infection reared its nasty little head a few days later. A round of antibodies did not do the trick so the doctor wanted to go back in and irrigate the wound. Okay, fine. However the morning before the second surgery Jerry missed the bottom step and landed in the ER. The incision was torn open but once the blood was cleared up things looked okay. So on to PT. The doctor stopped in and said everything looked okay. Not so. When they went in to clean out the wound the next day they found that the tendon had once again snapped. A 20 minute procedure turned in to a 2 ½ hour surgery. The doctor was not pleased he had to use the ‘old fashion’ technique to secure the tendon. Needless to say when Jerry woke up and realized 4 hours has passed he knew what had happened.
So now he is in a splint. Looking at a follow-up appointment with the doctor tomorrow. The next part of the adventure will be some long hard months of PT. The journey continues…..
It had been an interesting journey lately. At I mentioned much earlier, Jerry was hurting when he managed to summit Katahdin. The xrays taken in Maine showed no apparent injury to his arm or leg. Fast forward to the middle/end of November when he visited our internal medicine doctor. After another xray of his still hurting arm, which again showed nothing, an MRI was ordered. Ah, ha the cause of the pain showed itself. A torn tendon which connects the tricept to the elbow.
We visited an orthopedic man and surgery was scheduled. It went well until an infection reared its nasty little head a few days later. A round of antibodies did not do the trick so the doctor wanted to go back in and irrigate the wound. Okay, fine. However the morning before the second surgery Jerry missed the bottom step and landed in the ER. The incision was torn open but once the blood was cleared up things looked okay. So on to PT. The doctor stopped in and said everything looked okay. Not so. When they went in to clean out the wound the next day they found that the tendon had once again snapped. A 20 minute procedure turned in to a 2 ½ hour surgery. The doctor was not pleased he had to use the ‘old fashion’ technique to secure the tendon. Needless to say when Jerry woke up and realized 4 hours has passed he knew what had happened.
So now he is in a splint. Looking at a follow-up appointment with the doctor tomorrow. The next part of the adventure will be some long hard months of PT. The journey continues…..
Friday, November 5, 2010
The Anchor Grill Revisited
Earlier this past week Jerry and I decided to walk to the Kenton County Library, about 1 ½ miles one way.
We had a book to return and we had decided to have a ‘movie night’ one night a week. Last week Jerry brought home ‘Ground Hog Day’. Thank goodness it was my turn to choose this week. My choice was a nature show about the Galapagos. More about that at a later date.
Anyway I filled my string backpack with a few books and the DVD. On the way home we both thought that perhaps we could stop and have lunch along the way. Any of you who have walked this trail – opps, path know that the pickin’s are pretty slim in Covington. But wait, The Anchor Grill was not too far out of the way.
You have to understand that 36 years ago when we were young and had just met Jerry picked me up from work and took me to The Anchor Grill for our first dinner out together. I had never been there before and though I was tired from working a 3-11, I was also hungry. And I trusted Jerry. That was 36 years ago!
There is still a sign in the window that I’m convinced has been there since the beginning of eternity, “We may doze but we never close." There is a new sign now this one on each table. "Anyone ordering between 1:00-4:00 a.m. must pay for the meal when the food arrives." This is apparently due to the large number of ‘walk outs’.
There is still a little mechanical band up in the corner of one of the room. When you put money in the juke box the curtain in front of the band parts and the little guys move as the music plays. However, alas, the coin slot at each of the tables had been taped over. How sad! The band has been silenced!
Not much else has changed in the last 36 years. Except now the dust is a little thicker.
We had a book to return and we had decided to have a ‘movie night’ one night a week. Last week Jerry brought home ‘Ground Hog Day’. Thank goodness it was my turn to choose this week. My choice was a nature show about the Galapagos. More about that at a later date.
Anyway I filled my string backpack with a few books and the DVD. On the way home we both thought that perhaps we could stop and have lunch along the way. Any of you who have walked this trail – opps, path know that the pickin’s are pretty slim in Covington. But wait, The Anchor Grill was not too far out of the way.
You have to understand that 36 years ago when we were young and had just met Jerry picked me up from work and took me to The Anchor Grill for our first dinner out together. I had never been there before and though I was tired from working a 3-11, I was also hungry. And I trusted Jerry. That was 36 years ago!
There is still a sign in the window that I’m convinced has been there since the beginning of eternity, “We may doze but we never close." There is a new sign now this one on each table. "Anyone ordering between 1:00-4:00 a.m. must pay for the meal when the food arrives." This is apparently due to the large number of ‘walk outs’.
There is still a little mechanical band up in the corner of one of the room. When you put money in the juke box the curtain in front of the band parts and the little guys move as the music plays. However, alas, the coin slot at each of the tables had been taped over. How sad! The band has been silenced!
Not much else has changed in the last 36 years. Except now the dust is a little thicker.
Friday, October 29, 2010
The Journey Continues
This past week I turned 62. WooHoo, I’m 62. Well, now what? That’s THE
question at the moment.
Since arriving back home I feel that I’ve settled in to the same old same old.
I really don’t like that feeling. Yea, I know its okay to sit still for a while
and listen for the next step but I certainly don’t want to sit still too long.
So for my 62nd birthday I wanted to visit a National Park so that I could
purchase my very own Life Time National Park Pass for only $10. I feel that I
have arrived! Thanks to an overnight trip to Mammoth Cave I now have in my
possession that special pass that honors me for being old. I’ve had an AARP
card for some time now. Not the same. The National Park pass gets me outdoors.
When we visited Acadia a few weeks ago (really, only a few weeks ago?) it cost
us $20. to ride though the park. The Shenandoah visit was $15. Now I have this
nifty little park pass that gets me in any National Park FREE. Not only that,
three (3) other adults can get in FREE with me, regardless of their age. How
great is that! Now I can listen to my favorite wind chime – the rustle of the
leaves in the treetops or as they are falling, dancing on the wind, we can
wonder at the spring wildflowers and try to remember their names, go sled riding
and make snow angels on the golf course near the cabins, play games on the
screened in cabin porch to escape the summer heat, walk through the woods
kicking the fallen leaves, kayak on the lake, search for the woodpecker that we
can hear but so seldom see and so much more.
I have this nifty little pass…. Anyone want to come along?
question at the moment.
Since arriving back home I feel that I’ve settled in to the same old same old.
I really don’t like that feeling. Yea, I know its okay to sit still for a while
and listen for the next step but I certainly don’t want to sit still too long.
So for my 62nd birthday I wanted to visit a National Park so that I could
purchase my very own Life Time National Park Pass for only $10. I feel that I
have arrived! Thanks to an overnight trip to Mammoth Cave I now have in my
possession that special pass that honors me for being old. I’ve had an AARP
card for some time now. Not the same. The National Park pass gets me outdoors.
When we visited Acadia a few weeks ago (really, only a few weeks ago?) it cost
us $20. to ride though the park. The Shenandoah visit was $15. Now I have this
nifty little park pass that gets me in any National Park FREE. Not only that,
three (3) other adults can get in FREE with me, regardless of their age. How
great is that! Now I can listen to my favorite wind chime – the rustle of the
leaves in the treetops or as they are falling, dancing on the wind, we can
wonder at the spring wildflowers and try to remember their names, go sled riding
and make snow angels on the golf course near the cabins, play games on the
screened in cabin porch to escape the summer heat, walk through the woods
kicking the fallen leaves, kayak on the lake, search for the woodpecker that we
can hear but so seldom see and so much more.
I have this nifty little pass…. Anyone want to come along?
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Sleepless in Covington
So I dug out a pair of ‘farm socks’, socks I never thought I would wear in public again, socks I should have thrown out when I left New Hampshire but didn’t, and we stayed on the road one more night.
We left Hagerstown MD and headed for Shenandoah National Park. Jerry had hiked through the park back in May and my BFF, Karen and I visited with him for about a week and kept ourselves busy doing Trail Magic along Skyline Drive.
One more night on the road, one more night in the tent. We had decided to camp which worked out well because there were no lodge rooms available in the park. I had the camping equipment in the car since the end of July. We might as well put it to use one more time. We camped in the Big Meadow Campgrounds. There were the usual deer, fun to watch. The weather was mild. The sunset was once again beyond words.
As a cold front blew through in the middle of the night and I could hear leaves hitting the rain fly and slide down the sides of the tent I realized that when I had set up the tent I did not look up to check for any dead limbs that might be hanging from the trees above us. It all worked out well, nothing but leaves ended up falling on the tent. We slept well.
A middle of the night visit outside the tent revealed a heaven full of stars. The Milky Way was visible, as always a wonder to behold.
As the promise of dawn broke, we broke camp and except for a stop or two to view the sunrise we spent the next 10 hours in the car headed towards home and the family.
So now I am sleepless in Covington. The once normal sounds of the night are new again, our bed much too comfortable.
We left Hagerstown MD and headed for Shenandoah National Park. Jerry had hiked through the park back in May and my BFF, Karen and I visited with him for about a week and kept ourselves busy doing Trail Magic along Skyline Drive.
One more night on the road, one more night in the tent. We had decided to camp which worked out well because there were no lodge rooms available in the park. I had the camping equipment in the car since the end of July. We might as well put it to use one more time. We camped in the Big Meadow Campgrounds. There were the usual deer, fun to watch. The weather was mild. The sunset was once again beyond words.
As a cold front blew through in the middle of the night and I could hear leaves hitting the rain fly and slide down the sides of the tent I realized that when I had set up the tent I did not look up to check for any dead limbs that might be hanging from the trees above us. It all worked out well, nothing but leaves ended up falling on the tent. We slept well.
A middle of the night visit outside the tent revealed a heaven full of stars. The Milky Way was visible, as always a wonder to behold.
As the promise of dawn broke, we broke camp and except for a stop or two to view the sunrise we spent the next 10 hours in the car headed towards home and the family.
So now I am sleepless in Covington. The once normal sounds of the night are new again, our bed much too comfortable.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
On the way home - perhaps
Is it time to go home when you run out of clean socks? Or do you just buy new ones?
Sunday was spent on the road once again traveling from Bangor PA to Hagerstown, MD. We were welcomed by Ann and Tom with opened arms. Their daughter Laura, aka L.T. hiked with Clair back in ’03. We first met Tom when he summitted with the kids then. Ann we met at Laura and Matt’s wedding 5 years ago. They also graciously took Jerry in for the night as he passed by their place back in June.
We had a wonderful evening and a great bed. Ann sent us off with a packed lunch.
We headed west - towards Kentucky.
Sunday was spent on the road once again traveling from Bangor PA to Hagerstown, MD. We were welcomed by Ann and Tom with opened arms. Their daughter Laura, aka L.T. hiked with Clair back in ’03. We first met Tom when he summitted with the kids then. Ann we met at Laura and Matt’s wedding 5 years ago. They also graciously took Jerry in for the night as he passed by their place back in June.
We had a wonderful evening and a great bed. Ann sent us off with a packed lunch.
We headed west - towards Kentucky.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
6/1
MA, CN, NY, RI, NJ, PA all on Saturday.
Today we head to MD to visit friends who graced Jerry with Trail Magic as he past through oh so many months ago.
Today we head to MD to visit friends who graced Jerry with Trail Magic as he past through oh so many months ago.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
All Aboard !
All aboard! The sun came out this morning - for about 20 minutes and then it started to rain again. So we opted for a 2 hour scenic train ride across the Cape. So we drove across the Cape to board the train that took us across the cape to where we are staying before it returned across the Cape to the place where be boarded the train so that we could get off the train and return to the town where we are staying and where we just visited on the train. Hmmm…
We learned some things about the Cape, Cranberries and Historical Characters. The one thing they did not talk about was what looked to me like a homeless encampment just outside the train station. There were tarps and lean-tos nestled in the trees and bushes. Okay, the whole issue of how this all fits together for me has been just under the surface and I really have been working on keeping it there. Just for a little bit longer. The New Orleans experience is still fresh, the Emergency Cold Shelter is starting to gear up again. As we have been traveling and visiting the different towns that ‘make it all happen’ by offering all kinds of stuff to buy and enjoy – ‘money makes the world go ‘round.’ Wait, I think this is another blog. It will surface soon, I’m sure.
On the way back we did go in search of the National Sea Shore and we found it. What beauty! - The power of the ocean, the size of the dunes - breath taking!
It is so good for us to be here. We are grateful.
We learned some things about the Cape, Cranberries and Historical Characters. The one thing they did not talk about was what looked to me like a homeless encampment just outside the train station. There were tarps and lean-tos nestled in the trees and bushes. Okay, the whole issue of how this all fits together for me has been just under the surface and I really have been working on keeping it there. Just for a little bit longer. The New Orleans experience is still fresh, the Emergency Cold Shelter is starting to gear up again. As we have been traveling and visiting the different towns that ‘make it all happen’ by offering all kinds of stuff to buy and enjoy – ‘money makes the world go ‘round.’ Wait, I think this is another blog. It will surface soon, I’m sure.
On the way back we did go in search of the National Sea Shore and we found it. What beauty! - The power of the ocean, the size of the dunes - breath taking!
It is so good for us to be here. We are grateful.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Sandwich Anyone?
10/6
From Bar Harbor to Sandwich MA. 6+ hours of driving down the coast for a while and then through Boston, in and out of the rain – don’t even want to think about driving Boston again anytime soon.
We arrived at Sandwich late afternoon. Thanks to serendipitous connections we are staying at a small home on Cape Cod. The home is delightful, full of character and hints of the people who own the home. (I’d like to get to know them better.)
We don’t have a feel for the area yet. Last evening by the time we scouted out a place to eat and bought some things for breakfast today it was dark and starting to rain. The TV was not enough to hold our attention and so we turned in early once again. After about 10 hours of sleep we woke to more rain. And then more rain. At the moment we are ‘sandwiched’ in. The name of the place we’re staying is called ‘by-a-brook’. Actually it is now ‘in-a-brook’. The rain, over an inch, has the brook up over the road and surrounding the house. The yard table and chairs, toys, plants – all in-a-brook. Not being use to this we called the owners just to see what we should do. Their comment: ‘At Cape Cod the water goes in and the water goes out.’ Apparently high tide and lots of rain just happens.
So at the moment we have no where we have to be, no one we have to see. It’s all good! Perhaps it is the best thing that can happen. It will give Jerry a time to give his body some much needed rest. It is going to be a long slow process one that is hard to give in to.
So now, it’s raining, it’s pouring, the old man is snoring ….
Later in the day – Jerry woke up ! We stopped in at the library to check our email, a coffee shop where Jerry got an ice cream cone and a coffee then rode down the Cape a little. Eventually we ended up on a beach for a short time. Three weeks ago I was on the beach in NC today in MA. After Jerry’s rest he seemed to be walking better but is no where near the ‘let’s take a walk on the beach’ stage.
Appropriately, we picked up a Sandwich for supper and took it back to our safe little home where once again the brook was within its natural boundaries. We however, are not. All is good!
From Bar Harbor to Sandwich MA. 6+ hours of driving down the coast for a while and then through Boston, in and out of the rain – don’t even want to think about driving Boston again anytime soon.
We arrived at Sandwich late afternoon. Thanks to serendipitous connections we are staying at a small home on Cape Cod. The home is delightful, full of character and hints of the people who own the home. (I’d like to get to know them better.)
We don’t have a feel for the area yet. Last evening by the time we scouted out a place to eat and bought some things for breakfast today it was dark and starting to rain. The TV was not enough to hold our attention and so we turned in early once again. After about 10 hours of sleep we woke to more rain. And then more rain. At the moment we are ‘sandwiched’ in. The name of the place we’re staying is called ‘by-a-brook’. Actually it is now ‘in-a-brook’. The rain, over an inch, has the brook up over the road and surrounding the house. The yard table and chairs, toys, plants – all in-a-brook. Not being use to this we called the owners just to see what we should do. Their comment: ‘At Cape Cod the water goes in and the water goes out.’ Apparently high tide and lots of rain just happens.
So at the moment we have no where we have to be, no one we have to see. It’s all good! Perhaps it is the best thing that can happen. It will give Jerry a time to give his body some much needed rest. It is going to be a long slow process one that is hard to give in to.
So now, it’s raining, it’s pouring, the old man is snoring ….
Later in the day – Jerry woke up ! We stopped in at the library to check our email, a coffee shop where Jerry got an ice cream cone and a coffee then rode down the Cape a little. Eventually we ended up on a beach for a short time. Three weeks ago I was on the beach in NC today in MA. After Jerry’s rest he seemed to be walking better but is no where near the ‘let’s take a walk on the beach’ stage.
Appropriately, we picked up a Sandwich for supper and took it back to our safe little home where once again the brook was within its natural boundaries. We however, are not. All is good!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Questions
Jerry’s Questions from today: ‘Why are these maps so hard to read? Where are the white blazes?’ ‘Did the last six months really happen or is this all a dream?’
I say: ‘If this is a dream, at the moment it’s really a fun one.’ We once again woke up at the Katahdin Inn and Suites in Millinocket. We even managed that without a wake up call from Jay at 5:30 – thank you very much. (Jerry had fallen asleep at 8:15 last night.) We headed down to the simple breakfast the motel offered. There we met again the parents of another thru hiker. Talk about instant camaraderie! There were also two other men there who were planning on hiking today. They asked Jerry some of the good questions. ‘What was the best part? At did you enjoy the most? How did you get your wife it let you do this?’ I find it interesting to listen to Jerry talk about his experience. There is excitement, reverence and just a sense of surprise that’s it is over.
After breakfast we headed out of Millinocket, down I-95 towards Acadia National Park. We bought a park pass and drove the Loop Road. Jerry will not be in to walking for some time again, I’m sure. It was beautiful, once again beyond words -the water, the mountains, the trees. Following the road we ended up in Bar Harbor. Many years ago Clair worked there at a gift store. We looked for the store but could not locate it. We did a little walking – I walked, Jerry hobbled. We were thinking about a whale watching tour but decided against it. We decided to stay the night in Bar Harbor and head for Cape Cod on Tuesday.
Following the lead of our good friends we used a coupon that we found in a cheap stay magazine that you can pick up at rest areas. $79 isn’t exactly cheap in our world but we thought we’d go for it although you never know what you’re checking in to. Well, we circled the building twice before we found our ‘coupon room’ number. The # was on the outside wall behind the employee’s entrance. Down the narrow ‘walkway’, through the employee entrance, up the steps, pass the bookcase, we found the door. So here we sit. The room has ‘no view’ thus the coupon room. But wait, there are trees, a bird house, a bird feeder – grant it we have to go out and around the building to see the water but – its dark out no one can see the water at the moment. The room is twice the size of any motel room I’ve ever been in and much larger that the two room cottage the 5 of us stayed in a couple nights ago. The bathroom is about the size of a normal motel room. Dark brown toilet and tub. The tub is bigger than any I’ve ever seen before. Talk about being able to stretch out! A sky light above the tub I’m sure adds a lot during the day – at night it just seems to reflect… Anyway, what a hoot this is!
We enjoyed a glass of wine from a bottle that I picked up in NJ around the end of July and have been carrying around with me ever since. Headed over to dinner where I had a blueberry daiquiri and some beef stew made with Bar Harbor Ale. Who is this person I’ve turned in to?
So here is MY other question that I’m sure someone out there can answer: somewhere in scripture it says something like ‘good measure being filled up, pressed down and flowing over’. So this has been my feeling today but I’d like to know the complete statement to know if it fits the way I feel it does.
I say: ‘If this is a dream, at the moment it’s really a fun one.’ We once again woke up at the Katahdin Inn and Suites in Millinocket. We even managed that without a wake up call from Jay at 5:30 – thank you very much. (Jerry had fallen asleep at 8:15 last night.) We headed down to the simple breakfast the motel offered. There we met again the parents of another thru hiker. Talk about instant camaraderie! There were also two other men there who were planning on hiking today. They asked Jerry some of the good questions. ‘What was the best part? At did you enjoy the most? How did you get your wife it let you do this?’ I find it interesting to listen to Jerry talk about his experience. There is excitement, reverence and just a sense of surprise that’s it is over.
After breakfast we headed out of Millinocket, down I-95 towards Acadia National Park. We bought a park pass and drove the Loop Road. Jerry will not be in to walking for some time again, I’m sure. It was beautiful, once again beyond words -the water, the mountains, the trees. Following the road we ended up in Bar Harbor. Many years ago Clair worked there at a gift store. We looked for the store but could not locate it. We did a little walking – I walked, Jerry hobbled. We were thinking about a whale watching tour but decided against it. We decided to stay the night in Bar Harbor and head for Cape Cod on Tuesday.
Following the lead of our good friends we used a coupon that we found in a cheap stay magazine that you can pick up at rest areas. $79 isn’t exactly cheap in our world but we thought we’d go for it although you never know what you’re checking in to. Well, we circled the building twice before we found our ‘coupon room’ number. The # was on the outside wall behind the employee’s entrance. Down the narrow ‘walkway’, through the employee entrance, up the steps, pass the bookcase, we found the door. So here we sit. The room has ‘no view’ thus the coupon room. But wait, there are trees, a bird house, a bird feeder – grant it we have to go out and around the building to see the water but – its dark out no one can see the water at the moment. The room is twice the size of any motel room I’ve ever been in and much larger that the two room cottage the 5 of us stayed in a couple nights ago. The bathroom is about the size of a normal motel room. Dark brown toilet and tub. The tub is bigger than any I’ve ever seen before. Talk about being able to stretch out! A sky light above the tub I’m sure adds a lot during the day – at night it just seems to reflect… Anyway, what a hoot this is!
We enjoyed a glass of wine from a bottle that I picked up in NJ around the end of July and have been carrying around with me ever since. Headed over to dinner where I had a blueberry daiquiri and some beef stew made with Bar Harbor Ale. Who is this person I’ve turned in to?
So here is MY other question that I’m sure someone out there can answer: somewhere in scripture it says something like ‘good measure being filled up, pressed down and flowing over’. So this has been my feeling today but I’d like to know the complete statement to know if it fits the way I feel it does.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
And EUREKA made it !
Jerry called me from the summit at 1:06 on 10/02/10.
He, with the support of friends and family, accomplished his goal. I cannot put in to words how proud I am of him and how grateful I am to all who supported him in any way – prayers, days of hiking together, phone calls, notes, just knowing that you all were standing behind him rooting him on, helping him live his dream. A special ‘Thank You’ to Jay, Judy and Miguel who accompanied him up the last mountain. Jay made it to the top once again as he did with Clair in ’03.
Jerry’s body is somewhat beat up at the moment but he is dealing. We decided to take an extra day of rest here in Millinocket before moving on to – who knows what. For the moment we are free and on our own. Never before experienced this feeling. We’re thinking of taking a few extra days to enjoy the autumn colors of New England and to reconnect before heading home.
Emotions of the day –
Gratitude – for the fact that he was able to accomplish his goal and remain in ‘somewhat’ good physical shape. – for the wonders of natures that he saw and was able to appreciate. – all who supported him from family and friends, fellow hikers, trail angels, operators of the hostels, those who are able to smile and offer a kind word to these seemingly homeless people.
Pride – what a man I was blessed with! - experiencing on some level the joy, struggle, frustration, wonder that he felt. – hearing what other thru-hikers had to say about him with a sense of respect in their voice.
Wonder – as he wandered. Still having to ask him the question ‘why?’ Not in a negative sense but just wanting to know – the ‘why?’of it all.
Love – never felt more connected to Jerry.
Today, after rest, laundry and just hanging out we headed back to Baxter since we are now the proud owners of an annual Baxter State Park Pass. Just to see who might be summiting today and waited with some families who were waiting for their children. Talk about instant connections.
Again there were three moose a Stump Pond and a lot of people with their very fancy cameras.
The most interesting thing was the sounds that came from Jerry almost every time he caught a glimpse of the mountain – giggles of delight, groan of pain and discomfort, sighs of disbelief, sighs of wonder, the question ‘Did I really do this all is it all a dream?’, sounds of awe and wonder.
Tomorrow we’re planning on driving over to the coast to see what we might see – and be grateful for it.
He, with the support of friends and family, accomplished his goal. I cannot put in to words how proud I am of him and how grateful I am to all who supported him in any way – prayers, days of hiking together, phone calls, notes, just knowing that you all were standing behind him rooting him on, helping him live his dream. A special ‘Thank You’ to Jay, Judy and Miguel who accompanied him up the last mountain. Jay made it to the top once again as he did with Clair in ’03.
Jerry’s body is somewhat beat up at the moment but he is dealing. We decided to take an extra day of rest here in Millinocket before moving on to – who knows what. For the moment we are free and on our own. Never before experienced this feeling. We’re thinking of taking a few extra days to enjoy the autumn colors of New England and to reconnect before heading home.
Emotions of the day –
Gratitude – for the fact that he was able to accomplish his goal and remain in ‘somewhat’ good physical shape. – for the wonders of natures that he saw and was able to appreciate. – all who supported him from family and friends, fellow hikers, trail angels, operators of the hostels, those who are able to smile and offer a kind word to these seemingly homeless people.
Pride – what a man I was blessed with! - experiencing on some level the joy, struggle, frustration, wonder that he felt. – hearing what other thru-hikers had to say about him with a sense of respect in their voice.
Wonder – as he wandered. Still having to ask him the question ‘why?’ Not in a negative sense but just wanting to know – the ‘why?’of it all.
Love – never felt more connected to Jerry.
Today, after rest, laundry and just hanging out we headed back to Baxter since we are now the proud owners of an annual Baxter State Park Pass. Just to see who might be summiting today and waited with some families who were waiting for their children. Talk about instant connections.
Again there were three moose a Stump Pond and a lot of people with their very fancy cameras.
The most interesting thing was the sounds that came from Jerry almost every time he caught a glimpse of the mountain – giggles of delight, groan of pain and discomfort, sighs of disbelief, sighs of wonder, the question ‘Did I really do this all is it all a dream?’, sounds of awe and wonder.
Tomorrow we’re planning on driving over to the coast to see what we might see – and be grateful for it.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Where do I begin...Part II
So Judy and I headed for Baxter State Park Wednesday morning after our visit to the Millinocket ER to meet up with Jay, Miguel and eventually Jerry. We found Jay’s car and knew that they were on the trail to meet Jerry. Judy and I started down the trail. We spent a lot of time looking at the mushrooms, fern, and trees. I learnt about ‘trail trees’ from Judy. Trees that the Native Americans pruned in such a way to point to water sources. We ate our lunch sitting on canoes by Grassy Pond. The weather was beautiful the company suburb – Judy, fresh air, beautiful scenery, a lovely pond the size of a large lake in KY. Who could ask for anything more – except that Jerry and company to walk by. We ate and talked and rested on the overturned canoes (they were on land in case anyone was wondering.) We decided to start walking again and made it about a total of 2 miles in before I caught sight of EUERKA! What a sight! And what a hug! The moment I was looking forward to for a long time…..
Wednesday night Jay and Miguel camped and Judy, Jerry and I opted for a motel room.
Thursday morning we headed for the park. Expectations were high! As we pulled up to the gate the ranger excused herself to take the daily weather report. She came back with the news of ‘2/3 of a perfect storm was coming in’. ‘Never in 5 years of working here have we had this situation’. So we continued back to the campsite to meet the other two. Two deer crossed the road. On the way we past Stump Pond – a Pond full of stumps, thus the name. As we passed the pond there were three moose grazing in the pond. What a treat!
When we reached the campsite the thru hikers had gathered around Jay’s fire. What next? Nothing to do but wait. Some of the hikers were running low on food. We emptied our food bags that were in the car, laying things out on the hood of Jay’s car. The hood became like an altar. The hikers were happy.
So now, we’re waiting.
Jerry had developed a pain in his right hip. He was having a hard time walking. So when bad weather moved in perhaps it was a blessing in disguise. The original plan was to summit on Thursday. The weather gods had other plans. The ranger at the gate said that they were predicting 2-5 inches of rain and winds of 70+mph. The mountain was closed. No ifs, ands, or buts. Friday brought the same news. The mountain was off limits. Winds of + 70 again. Heavy rain. There was a report of a tornado in town here with trees down. Judy and Jay had gone out for a walk and experienced the high winds and heavy rain in person.
Oh, but wait, let’s back up to Thursday evening when the 5 of us spent a night in a tiny two bedroom cabin with a small bathroom. Ah, the night sounds. When Jerry got up in the morning he wanted to go for a walk. His hip was still bothering him. We walked for about 30 minutes. He was in pain. And tension was increasing when he considered if he could actually finish the hike. Since we knew it would not happen on Friday we decided the best thing was to revisit the ER this time with Jerry as the patient. The personnel were great. The doctor ordered x-rays. They decided there was no bone damage either to his hip or his right elbow – oh, didn’t I mention that, bursitis had set in after a fall a couple of weeks ago. Leaving a very sore elbow trying to work a trekking pole. The doctor said that a few days rest would be great but he also knew that Jerry wanted to finish. An anti-inflammatory med and some Tylenol to hold him over, Jerry left with the assurance that no permanent damage would be done if he did in fact finish on Saturday.
Friday was a down day, a day or rest, laundry and recuperation.
So, here we sit waiting to see what the weather will bring tomorrow. There is a rather large collection of thru-hikers also waiting at Baxter. We’re the lucky ones. Besides an okay motel room (actually two) we have family and friends here to support us. GO EUREKA!
Wednesday night Jay and Miguel camped and Judy, Jerry and I opted for a motel room.
Thursday morning we headed for the park. Expectations were high! As we pulled up to the gate the ranger excused herself to take the daily weather report. She came back with the news of ‘2/3 of a perfect storm was coming in’. ‘Never in 5 years of working here have we had this situation’. So we continued back to the campsite to meet the other two. Two deer crossed the road. On the way we past Stump Pond – a Pond full of stumps, thus the name. As we passed the pond there were three moose grazing in the pond. What a treat!
When we reached the campsite the thru hikers had gathered around Jay’s fire. What next? Nothing to do but wait. Some of the hikers were running low on food. We emptied our food bags that were in the car, laying things out on the hood of Jay’s car. The hood became like an altar. The hikers were happy.
So now, we’re waiting.
Jerry had developed a pain in his right hip. He was having a hard time walking. So when bad weather moved in perhaps it was a blessing in disguise. The original plan was to summit on Thursday. The weather gods had other plans. The ranger at the gate said that they were predicting 2-5 inches of rain and winds of 70+mph. The mountain was closed. No ifs, ands, or buts. Friday brought the same news. The mountain was off limits. Winds of + 70 again. Heavy rain. There was a report of a tornado in town here with trees down. Judy and Jay had gone out for a walk and experienced the high winds and heavy rain in person.
Oh, but wait, let’s back up to Thursday evening when the 5 of us spent a night in a tiny two bedroom cabin with a small bathroom. Ah, the night sounds. When Jerry got up in the morning he wanted to go for a walk. His hip was still bothering him. We walked for about 30 minutes. He was in pain. And tension was increasing when he considered if he could actually finish the hike. Since we knew it would not happen on Friday we decided the best thing was to revisit the ER this time with Jerry as the patient. The personnel were great. The doctor ordered x-rays. They decided there was no bone damage either to his hip or his right elbow – oh, didn’t I mention that, bursitis had set in after a fall a couple of weeks ago. Leaving a very sore elbow trying to work a trekking pole. The doctor said that a few days rest would be great but he also knew that Jerry wanted to finish. An anti-inflammatory med and some Tylenol to hold him over, Jerry left with the assurance that no permanent damage would be done if he did in fact finish on Saturday.
Friday was a down day, a day or rest, laundry and recuperation.
So, here we sit waiting to see what the weather will bring tomorrow. There is a rather large collection of thru-hikers also waiting at Baxter. We’re the lucky ones. Besides an okay motel room (actually two) we have family and friends here to support us. GO EUREKA!
Friday, October 1, 2010
Where do I begin to tell the story.....Part I
10/2 –We (Jay, Miguel, and myself) took off Monday morning, Sept 27th, about 5:00 a.m. Headed to Bangor to meet up with Judy. We arrived at Judy’s late afternoon. Enjoyed a delicious dinner of Katahdin Potato Soup and salad. Next morning we headed out again about 5:00 a.m.. Headed to Bethlehem, N.H. to pick up the van. The guys at the farm assured me that they had all the pigs moved out of the van and that it was ‘sort of’ cleaned up. We arrived in time to use their picnic table for lunch. The van started up the first time after sitting for about 3 weeks. The mess I had left looked like the pigs could have made. It was good to see the guys at the farm again but it was also good to put that chapter behind me. Then off to Millinocket, ME. Judy and I were in the van and Jay and Miguel in Jay’s car. The men were hoping to get to Baxter State Park in time to camp there for the night. They made it with 10 minutes to spare. Judy and I planned on whimping out at a motel. We felt that was the better choice. So the 10/2 = 10 states in 2 days. But then wait; let’s add on the 4 states that I did with Karen 2 days before this journey began. What a whirlwind.
ER – the new season. So Tuesday night Judy and I are in a motel in Millinocket. We were probably the only two people there. Somehow the driving on I-95 in the dark with on other traffic and checking into this deserted motel we felt like we had entered the twilight zone. Oh, well. It was fairly clean. We had a light supper at the Chinese restaurant connected to the motel. Again we were the only ones there. Judy and I hit the sack early. We were planning on meeting up with Jerry the next day. Around 1:00 a.m. I woke up, my tongue was swollen and I felt like I was having trouble swallowing. This had happened a few days earlier also so I kind of ruled out the Chinese food. I decided to sit up for a while. About 2:00 Judy woke up and I asked her to go to the emergency room with me. The swelling was getting worst and I was worried that if I waited it might affect our plans to meet up with Jerry later that day or that my airway might close up. So with the help of our GPS we found the hospital (in a roundabout way). The nurse and PA were wonderful. They agreed that I was probably having an allergic reaction of some kind. I came away with a prescription and a sore hip. By 3:30 we were back in bed.
Stay tune for part II
ER – the new season. So Tuesday night Judy and I are in a motel in Millinocket. We were probably the only two people there. Somehow the driving on I-95 in the dark with on other traffic and checking into this deserted motel we felt like we had entered the twilight zone. Oh, well. It was fairly clean. We had a light supper at the Chinese restaurant connected to the motel. Again we were the only ones there. Judy and I hit the sack early. We were planning on meeting up with Jerry the next day. Around 1:00 a.m. I woke up, my tongue was swollen and I felt like I was having trouble swallowing. This had happened a few days earlier also so I kind of ruled out the Chinese food. I decided to sit up for a while. About 2:00 Judy woke up and I asked her to go to the emergency room with me. The swelling was getting worst and I was worried that if I waited it might affect our plans to meet up with Jerry later that day or that my airway might close up. So with the help of our GPS we found the hospital (in a roundabout way). The nurse and PA were wonderful. They agreed that I was probably having an allergic reaction of some kind. I came away with a prescription and a sore hip. By 3:30 we were back in bed.
Stay tune for part II
Sunday, September 26, 2010
All My Bags Are Packed...
Again?... Yep, once again I’m ready to hit the road. This time I will head up
east again with Jay, Judy and Miguel. I bet you noticed that the last name
didn’t start with a J. Miguel is a friend of Jay’s who will probably be in for
the adventure of a life time. Although he has traveled before with Jay so he
should know what he is in for.
First leg of the trip will drop us in Bangor PA for the night. Then on to
Bethlehem to pick up the van. (The owner of the farm assured me that he would
have the pigs out of the van by the time I got there. – Thanks, Tim!) Then
another 5 ½ hours to Millencotte, ME where we will meet up with Jerry at Baxter
State Park. The other three will summit with Jerry. Thanks to my extreme fear
of heights I’ll keep my feet on flat ground-darn it.
I feel good for just having spent 12 hours in the car the day before yesterday.
We’ll see how the next couple of days go. Somehow I think they will be just
fine. I know the prize that is at the end.
east again with Jay, Judy and Miguel. I bet you noticed that the last name
didn’t start with a J. Miguel is a friend of Jay’s who will probably be in for
the adventure of a life time. Although he has traveled before with Jay so he
should know what he is in for.
First leg of the trip will drop us in Bangor PA for the night. Then on to
Bethlehem to pick up the van. (The owner of the farm assured me that he would
have the pigs out of the van by the time I got there. – Thanks, Tim!) Then
another 5 ½ hours to Millencotte, ME where we will meet up with Jerry at Baxter
State Park. The other three will summit with Jerry. Thanks to my extreme fear
of heights I’ll keep my feet on flat ground-darn it.
I feel good for just having spent 12 hours in the car the day before yesterday.
We’ll see how the next couple of days go. Somehow I think they will be just
fine. I know the prize that is at the end.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Dolphins show thyself...
...I screamed silently at the ocean. But they didn’t.
But I did see;
Wonderful waves – more powerful during the first part of the week because of the hurricane out in the Atlantic that brought with them all kinds of surfer guys. Some waves that sparkled in the moon light, so much so that it seemed that they lit up as the waves broke.
Stupendous shells – most of which I was able to admire and then leave on the beach.
Marvelous moonlight – as the moon continued to grow throughout the week until it was full.
Wonderful weather - with temps in the low 80s and an almost constant breeze.
Little lights – that danced upon the ocean last night. They looked like little fairies in their own secret moonlight dance. After being fascinated by them for some time and trying to guess just what they were I made a correct guess – they were glow in the dark tips that were attached to fishing poles that were anchored in the sand on the beach. I personally like the idea of fairies dancing better.
On Tuesday we attended an hour long lunchtime concert given by Anna and her Harp. Tonight we will take in another concert in New Bern. Tomorrow Karen and I will be on the road once again. Traveling home. On Sunday I head north again this time with Jay to pick up my sister-in-law, Judy, to pick up the van in Bethlehem, to meet Jerry in Baxter State Park. At this point he is planning to summit on Thursday. On Friday, who knows?
It has been a wonderful week. I’m so very grateful for the opportunity to share this time with friends. The wonders of nature never cease to amaze me and to be able to here where the ocean keeps whispering back to me ‘Enjoy what you experience. The many gifts around you. And be grateful. And by the way, don’t forget to scatter joy.’
But I did see;
Wonderful waves – more powerful during the first part of the week because of the hurricane out in the Atlantic that brought with them all kinds of surfer guys. Some waves that sparkled in the moon light, so much so that it seemed that they lit up as the waves broke.
Stupendous shells – most of which I was able to admire and then leave on the beach.
Marvelous moonlight – as the moon continued to grow throughout the week until it was full.
Wonderful weather - with temps in the low 80s and an almost constant breeze.
Little lights – that danced upon the ocean last night. They looked like little fairies in their own secret moonlight dance. After being fascinated by them for some time and trying to guess just what they were I made a correct guess – they were glow in the dark tips that were attached to fishing poles that were anchored in the sand on the beach. I personally like the idea of fairies dancing better.
On Tuesday we attended an hour long lunchtime concert given by Anna and her Harp. Tonight we will take in another concert in New Bern. Tomorrow Karen and I will be on the road once again. Traveling home. On Sunday I head north again this time with Jay to pick up my sister-in-law, Judy, to pick up the van in Bethlehem, to meet Jerry in Baxter State Park. At this point he is planning to summit on Thursday. On Friday, who knows?
It has been a wonderful week. I’m so very grateful for the opportunity to share this time with friends. The wonders of nature never cease to amaze me and to be able to here where the ocean keeps whispering back to me ‘Enjoy what you experience. The many gifts around you. And be grateful. And by the way, don’t forget to scatter joy.’
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
From the mountains, to the valley, to the ocean...
…from the mountains of VT, NH and ME to the KY side of the OH valley to Atlantic Beach in NC – yes, folks that where I’ve been in the last 10 days. It’s hard to explain how this is all happening. What an unusual summer this is! What a gift!
So for the next couple of days I’m sitting in a beach house with friends enjoying the company and the scenery. This trip came up last Monday totally by surprise. Karen was going and I couldn’t let here drive 12 hours by herself so I made the ultimate sacrifice and headed to the beach with her. Yea!
I’ve tried doing some reading but the ocean is so distracting. The waves keep calling out to me. ‘With your head buried in the book you might miss something.’ ‘What if dolphins swam by and your missed them?’ One wave yelled, ‘Look how high I am.’ Another ‘Don’t get in my way or I’ll soak you.’ (and he did.) ‘Did you see that ride I gave that surfer guy?’ ‘It’s quiet time, I’m going to be a gentle and quite as possible’. ‘You can’t go in the house now, remember your time here is limited.’ (Was that meant to be a profound statement or just a passing comment?)
Ah, Shell – and then there are the shells. We were here two years ago and I brought home a bag of shells. Plenty of shells to last a life time, so I decided not to take any home this trip in trying to be true to the effort to limit my ‘stuff’. But maybe I could take home some broken ones to appreciate. I resisted. But then there were the perfect ones…okay I can leave them for someone else, but it isn’t easy. Then I found a perfect black one that was calling my name – actually I walked past it and it started yelling at me. Okay, so now it’s sitting outside. I’m hoping to spend some time with it and then perhaps it will let me return it to the beach for someone else to fine.
The shells from two years ago – I had put them in a large vase but at Easter time I replaced them with plastic eggs (yea, I know a little tacky there). I decided, when I put the eggs away to, replace the shells one at a time when I did something significant, like stretch myself in some manner or the other – i.e. leaving more shells on the beach. When thinking about this summer I’ve decided that I can go ahead and put all the shells in the vase, I think I’ve met my personal challenge to stretch myself at least a little this summer.
The company has been wonderful – my dear friend of 32 years, Karen, her daughter (my god-child), Jessica and husband Jeremy, a couple friend of theirs and Karen’s sister in law, Lily who lives in NY. The youngsters have been a lot of fun. Us ‘older’ women are trying to ask as wisdom figures for them (yea, right – who bought the whip cream for the strawberry daiquiri). It would be nice to have Jerry here but he’ is enjoying himself in the 100 mile wilderness, trudging along the A.T. – we all make choices.
Well, the waves are calling me once again. Maybe also a daiquiri. Wait it’s only 10:23 a.m.
(BTW – I know that its prairie and not valley.)
So for the next couple of days I’m sitting in a beach house with friends enjoying the company and the scenery. This trip came up last Monday totally by surprise. Karen was going and I couldn’t let here drive 12 hours by herself so I made the ultimate sacrifice and headed to the beach with her. Yea!
I’ve tried doing some reading but the ocean is so distracting. The waves keep calling out to me. ‘With your head buried in the book you might miss something.’ ‘What if dolphins swam by and your missed them?’ One wave yelled, ‘Look how high I am.’ Another ‘Don’t get in my way or I’ll soak you.’ (and he did.) ‘Did you see that ride I gave that surfer guy?’ ‘It’s quiet time, I’m going to be a gentle and quite as possible’. ‘You can’t go in the house now, remember your time here is limited.’ (Was that meant to be a profound statement or just a passing comment?)
Ah, Shell – and then there are the shells. We were here two years ago and I brought home a bag of shells. Plenty of shells to last a life time, so I decided not to take any home this trip in trying to be true to the effort to limit my ‘stuff’. But maybe I could take home some broken ones to appreciate. I resisted. But then there were the perfect ones…okay I can leave them for someone else, but it isn’t easy. Then I found a perfect black one that was calling my name – actually I walked past it and it started yelling at me. Okay, so now it’s sitting outside. I’m hoping to spend some time with it and then perhaps it will let me return it to the beach for someone else to fine.
The shells from two years ago – I had put them in a large vase but at Easter time I replaced them with plastic eggs (yea, I know a little tacky there). I decided, when I put the eggs away to, replace the shells one at a time when I did something significant, like stretch myself in some manner or the other – i.e. leaving more shells on the beach. When thinking about this summer I’ve decided that I can go ahead and put all the shells in the vase, I think I’ve met my personal challenge to stretch myself at least a little this summer.
The company has been wonderful – my dear friend of 32 years, Karen, her daughter (my god-child), Jessica and husband Jeremy, a couple friend of theirs and Karen’s sister in law, Lily who lives in NY. The youngsters have been a lot of fun. Us ‘older’ women are trying to ask as wisdom figures for them (yea, right – who bought the whip cream for the strawberry daiquiri). It would be nice to have Jerry here but he’ is enjoying himself in the 100 mile wilderness, trudging along the A.T. – we all make choices.
Well, the waves are calling me once again. Maybe also a daiquiri. Wait it’s only 10:23 a.m.
(BTW – I know that its prairie and not valley.)
Friday, September 17, 2010
On The Road Again
I arrived home last Friday. It was so good to be greeted at the door by Christy. The house looked wonderful. Things that I appreciate most aside from the people; my bed, an indoor shower and toilet, 2 ply toilet paper, the land line, answering machine and of course my favorite window with a view of the sunrise . I was able to get together with all the kids, except Clair of course, over the weekend. Everyone seems to be doing well. I’ll be seeing most of Jerry’s sibs this weekend.
Christy and I took part in the Buddy Walk on Saturday. An event to raise funds for and awareness of Down Syndrome. It was good to see some special friends there. It was wet as we walked through the only rain that this area has had in months.
On Monday my daughter Joanna, my good friend and I walked about 3 miles. That is when my friend mentioned that she was driving to NC – by herself, we can’t have that! So for 5 days I will have opportunity to stay with friends in a beach house on the Atlantic Coast. This has been such an unusual summer with all the different opportunities that are coming my way.
All this while Jerry gets ready to enter the 100 mile wilderness. He is getting closer folks. He is looking at the last couple days of Sept as to when he might summit. It will be strange to see him all the time. Someone asked me what effect the trail has had on our marriage. I didn’t answer the question at that time because I didn’t think it was appropriate coming from him but it got me thinking. At this point I think the experience has made our relationship stronger. Perhaps it’s that we appreciate each other more and just enjoy being together. We’ll see what the next couple of months bring.
Christy and I took part in the Buddy Walk on Saturday. An event to raise funds for and awareness of Down Syndrome. It was good to see some special friends there. It was wet as we walked through the only rain that this area has had in months.
On Monday my daughter Joanna, my good friend and I walked about 3 miles. That is when my friend mentioned that she was driving to NC – by herself, we can’t have that! So for 5 days I will have opportunity to stay with friends in a beach house on the Atlantic Coast. This has been such an unusual summer with all the different opportunities that are coming my way.
All this while Jerry gets ready to enter the 100 mile wilderness. He is getting closer folks. He is looking at the last couple days of Sept as to when he might summit. It will be strange to see him all the time. Someone asked me what effect the trail has had on our marriage. I didn’t answer the question at that time because I didn’t think it was appropriate coming from him but it got me thinking. At this point I think the experience has made our relationship stronger. Perhaps it’s that we appreciate each other more and just enjoy being together. We’ll see what the next couple of months bring.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Sept 9th and beyond
Sept 9th
So I pulled out of Bethlehem this morning about 8:00. I slipped in a CD of dulcimer music, something a little uplifting to start the morning travels. It’s just a mix of simple songs but when I heard, O Little Town of Bethlehem as I was passing through B’town, that was just too much of a coincidence.
Passed in to Maine in search of Grafton Notch State Park. There was road construction in Maine. At two separate points the state route turned into a one lane dirt ‘road’. The state park was out in an area that gave me the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere.
Once I found the parking lot there was no shortage of hikers. All I had to offer was a cold soft drink. There was Beaver Chief, Little Foot, Big Foot, Squid, Doc Rock and his wife who is slack packing him to Maine, Kit Kat, whom I had met before along with One Life. In talking with Squid I mentioned that Clair had done the trail in ’03. He said, oh yea, ‘the wettest season on record’. I was amazed that he knew this. Then he mentioned that there was a couple who gave him a lift in VT who hiked that year. They met on the trail and got married shortly after that. Well, it turns out to be Clair hiking buddies L.T. and Orb. Small World Once Again.
Met up with Tom, Jerry and David. Drove back to Gorham (the name always makes me feel like I’m part of The Lord of the Rings saga). We all spent the night at the Moose Brook Motel. Again at dinner and breakfast I just sat back and watch how much hikers can consume – what a wonder it is.
The days of hiking together were good ones according to Jerry. Seems like Tom and David were in it for the fun of it and after a morning of slipping and sliding on the granite rocks and leaving a little skin behind, they were ready to set up camp shortly after lunch and were interested in enjoying the surrounding and playing cards of all things. Jerry being a good host went along with the idea.
Friday morning I dropped Jerry off back in Maine. David and Tom headed to the AMC at the base of Mt. Washington. Their plan was to hike up and back. The weather was a challenge but they made it. I, on the other hand, after I dropped Jerry off in Maine decided to take the shuttle up to the Mt. Washington summit (NH). I think I chose the better part. The weather was typical. We were in a cloud most of the way up. While there the temp was 40* with a wind chill of 28. The rain that was hitting us also contained ice pellets. I was the only one of our group who went up on the observation deck. Just wanted to say that I did it when I had the chance. I returned soaked to the skin.
Needless to say that David and Tom after 4 hours of hiking up and 4 hours of hiking down were even wetter than I was.
We met back in B’town at the farm about 6:30. Left the van and the farm – sure hope they don’t turn it into a chicken coop and headed north so that we could head south (no east/west connector roads at that point). We checked into a motel in so. VT at 10:00 and left at 6:30 on Friday. Made it home ~10:00.
There certainly is no place like home.
I enjoy bloging so I will probably keep it up for a while maybe not everyday but now and then at least until we get Jerry home.
So I pulled out of Bethlehem this morning about 8:00. I slipped in a CD of dulcimer music, something a little uplifting to start the morning travels. It’s just a mix of simple songs but when I heard, O Little Town of Bethlehem as I was passing through B’town, that was just too much of a coincidence.
Passed in to Maine in search of Grafton Notch State Park. There was road construction in Maine. At two separate points the state route turned into a one lane dirt ‘road’. The state park was out in an area that gave me the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere.
Once I found the parking lot there was no shortage of hikers. All I had to offer was a cold soft drink. There was Beaver Chief, Little Foot, Big Foot, Squid, Doc Rock and his wife who is slack packing him to Maine, Kit Kat, whom I had met before along with One Life. In talking with Squid I mentioned that Clair had done the trail in ’03. He said, oh yea, ‘the wettest season on record’. I was amazed that he knew this. Then he mentioned that there was a couple who gave him a lift in VT who hiked that year. They met on the trail and got married shortly after that. Well, it turns out to be Clair hiking buddies L.T. and Orb. Small World Once Again.
Met up with Tom, Jerry and David. Drove back to Gorham (the name always makes me feel like I’m part of The Lord of the Rings saga). We all spent the night at the Moose Brook Motel. Again at dinner and breakfast I just sat back and watch how much hikers can consume – what a wonder it is.
The days of hiking together were good ones according to Jerry. Seems like Tom and David were in it for the fun of it and after a morning of slipping and sliding on the granite rocks and leaving a little skin behind, they were ready to set up camp shortly after lunch and were interested in enjoying the surrounding and playing cards of all things. Jerry being a good host went along with the idea.
Friday morning I dropped Jerry off back in Maine. David and Tom headed to the AMC at the base of Mt. Washington. Their plan was to hike up and back. The weather was a challenge but they made it. I, on the other hand, after I dropped Jerry off in Maine decided to take the shuttle up to the Mt. Washington summit (NH). I think I chose the better part. The weather was typical. We were in a cloud most of the way up. While there the temp was 40* with a wind chill of 28. The rain that was hitting us also contained ice pellets. I was the only one of our group who went up on the observation deck. Just wanted to say that I did it when I had the chance. I returned soaked to the skin.
Needless to say that David and Tom after 4 hours of hiking up and 4 hours of hiking down were even wetter than I was.
We met back in B’town at the farm about 6:30. Left the van and the farm – sure hope they don’t turn it into a chicken coop and headed north so that we could head south (no east/west connector roads at that point). We checked into a motel in so. VT at 10:00 and left at 6:30 on Friday. Made it home ~10:00.
There certainly is no place like home.
I enjoy bloging so I will probably keep it up for a while maybe not everyday but now and then at least until we get Jerry home.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Head 'em up - Move 'em out
Wednesday morning I pull out of this little town of Bethlehem. It’s been good but it is time to mosey on down the road. The star that lead me here is moving on. (I don’t think I’ve mentioned the stars at night that are so big and bright that I can see through my tiny camper window by the head of my bed - er, sleeping space. They are magnificent. Even I can pick out some of the constellations.)
Plan is to meet up with ‘Tom and Jerry’ and Dave on Wednesday around noon. The rest of the plan is up to them. I know Dave and Tom wanted to climb Mt. Washington but it doesn’t sound like the weather is going to cooperate. It is suppose to be rainy the next couple of days. It will be interesting to see what they decide to do.
It rained a little today while I was picking beans but that’s life on the farm. Tim was saying that they could have snow on the ground as early as next month. Yea, Kentucky!
I packed up the van a little today. It is always a challenge to try and keep it somewhat organized. There Jerry’s resupply box, his in town backpack with ‘decent’ clothes in it, there in my clothes, stuff I can leave in the car for 3 weeks, stuff I want to take home, camping gear, two (yes two) tents, camp chairs, rain tarp, cooking stuff, plates, etc., maps, and of course, Long Trail Ale and a bottle of Three Blind Moose Wine that I’ve been carrying around since Bangor, PA. Oh, yea, and a can of scrubbing powder that I meant to leave at Genesis Farm but forgot. I do have plans to return it. Not to mention the first aid kits, bug spray, sun block and so on and so forth….
This is the second blog for the day so I invite you to read on....
Plan is to meet up with ‘Tom and Jerry’ and Dave on Wednesday around noon. The rest of the plan is up to them. I know Dave and Tom wanted to climb Mt. Washington but it doesn’t sound like the weather is going to cooperate. It is suppose to be rainy the next couple of days. It will be interesting to see what they decide to do.
It rained a little today while I was picking beans but that’s life on the farm. Tim was saying that they could have snow on the ground as early as next month. Yea, Kentucky!
I packed up the van a little today. It is always a challenge to try and keep it somewhat organized. There Jerry’s resupply box, his in town backpack with ‘decent’ clothes in it, there in my clothes, stuff I can leave in the car for 3 weeks, stuff I want to take home, camping gear, two (yes two) tents, camp chairs, rain tarp, cooking stuff, plates, etc., maps, and of course, Long Trail Ale and a bottle of Three Blind Moose Wine that I’ve been carrying around since Bangor, PA. Oh, yea, and a can of scrubbing powder that I meant to leave at Genesis Farm but forgot. I do have plans to return it. Not to mention the first aid kits, bug spray, sun block and so on and so forth….
This is the second blog for the day so I invite you to read on....
I Would Like to Thank...
Last day of work and I need to say Thank You to a few people. Tim , the owner of Meadowstone was the first person I contacted through the wwoofer’s directory. Tim was gracious enough to welcome me to my first experience as a wwoofer. Sam, the head gardener, was the first person I met when I arrived. He walked me around the farm and explained to me how the wwoofing thing worked. Arrived on a Tuesday just before lunch. Great timing. Sam’s wife, Jenny had just made a pizza lunch for everyone, about 10 at the time.
Zach was the one who turned on the electric and water in the camper and who hooked up the shower. Zach was the first one who let me try my hands at milking the goats.
Anthony was very helpful and friendly. I really enjoyed working with him.
Melanie was here for the first week before leaving for college. She always had an answer to my questions.
Cassy, God bless her, taught me a lot. We ended up working together often. Her patience with me was remarkable. I was always impressed with her attitude and cheerfulness. Yeah, Cassy. Besides everything else it was always nice to have another female around.
I’d like to thank the chickens who didn’t peck too hard when I reached under them for their warm eggs. The goat who did not head butt me although his evil eye kept me on guard. The pigs who only threw me off balance one so that I almost ended up in the mud. The young goats who’s cry made me appreciate all the times we had gotten up with the newborns in our care. (I’m not going to mention the rooster…)
And of course all the vegetables who did their thing and always amazed me with their ‘theirness’. And the weeds, well they gave me something to do – often.
There were a number of CSA members who came to volunteer their time, they too made me feel very welcomed. I’m sure someone has slipped my mind.
New Hampshire has been great. This is a wonder-filled area. Creation at it’s best.
It has just been a wonderful experience. One I will always be grateful for. – But if I ever talk about doing this again, someone please talk me out of it – or at least make sure I’ve thought it through. )
Zach was the one who turned on the electric and water in the camper and who hooked up the shower. Zach was the first one who let me try my hands at milking the goats.
Anthony was very helpful and friendly. I really enjoyed working with him.
Melanie was here for the first week before leaving for college. She always had an answer to my questions.
Cassy, God bless her, taught me a lot. We ended up working together often. Her patience with me was remarkable. I was always impressed with her attitude and cheerfulness. Yeah, Cassy. Besides everything else it was always nice to have another female around.
I’d like to thank the chickens who didn’t peck too hard when I reached under them for their warm eggs. The goat who did not head butt me although his evil eye kept me on guard. The pigs who only threw me off balance one so that I almost ended up in the mud. The young goats who’s cry made me appreciate all the times we had gotten up with the newborns in our care. (I’m not going to mention the rooster…)
And of course all the vegetables who did their thing and always amazed me with their ‘theirness’. And the weeds, well they gave me something to do – often.
There were a number of CSA members who came to volunteer their time, they too made me feel very welcomed. I’m sure someone has slipped my mind.
New Hampshire has been great. This is a wonder-filled area. Creation at it’s best.
It has just been a wonderful experience. One I will always be grateful for. – But if I ever talk about doing this again, someone please talk me out of it – or at least make sure I’ve thought it through. )
Monday, September 6, 2010
Somewhere Over The...
...Chicken coop – yep, that is where the rainbow appeared last evening. It was beautiful and very bright. In places it was doubled and it was almost complete. What a nice surprise!
Happy Labor day to all who labor – that would be me also. No holiday here. Worked 7 hours today in the greenhouses. First we planted garlic and then the rest of the day was spent planting spinach. Little hard on the back and the knees. My rooster wound is still there and hurts. Can’t wait to get back home and have my niece Sally, super wound nurse take a look at it.
I wanted to take a shower as soon as I stopped working but one of the guys was working in close proximity to the shower so I thought I’d best wait for a while. Lay down on, or rather climbed up in to, the bed for a moment. 10 minutes later I woke up, and the beautiful sunny day had turned into a very cloudy one that threatened rain. Sam seemed to be gone so I dashed for the shower. Now, this shower is very good at telling you what the weather is – on a hot, sunny day the water is very hot. On a cool, cloudy day the water boarders on cool to cold. So I just had a cold shower which would have felt great a half of day ago but now I’m in long sleeves and long pants trying to warm up.
I just retrieved the umbrella from the car in case I need it later on for my before bed run to the outhouse. Those trips seem to get earlier each evening. It starts getting dark about 7:30 these days. I guess another way to say that might be – The evening sun hugs the mountain tops allowing the trees to embrace its rays for yet another glorious sunset over the New Hampshire landscape. Bottom line – get to the outhouse before it is completely dark.
BTW - Tim, one of the best bosses in the whole world offered to empty the composting toilet for me. Yeah Tim, you rock!
Tomorrow, Tuesday will be me last day working. It is a CSA pickup day so there will be no slacking! Not that I ever do. Wednesday I’ll leave to meet up with Tom and Jerry (I just love saying that combination – it reminds me of all the loony tune people I know) and Dave. Exactly happens after that? Stay tuned…
Oh, yea, today Jerry and I are celebrating 35 years of living and loving.
Happy Labor day to all who labor – that would be me also. No holiday here. Worked 7 hours today in the greenhouses. First we planted garlic and then the rest of the day was spent planting spinach. Little hard on the back and the knees. My rooster wound is still there and hurts. Can’t wait to get back home and have my niece Sally, super wound nurse take a look at it.
I wanted to take a shower as soon as I stopped working but one of the guys was working in close proximity to the shower so I thought I’d best wait for a while. Lay down on, or rather climbed up in to, the bed for a moment. 10 minutes later I woke up, and the beautiful sunny day had turned into a very cloudy one that threatened rain. Sam seemed to be gone so I dashed for the shower. Now, this shower is very good at telling you what the weather is – on a hot, sunny day the water is very hot. On a cool, cloudy day the water boarders on cool to cold. So I just had a cold shower which would have felt great a half of day ago but now I’m in long sleeves and long pants trying to warm up.
I just retrieved the umbrella from the car in case I need it later on for my before bed run to the outhouse. Those trips seem to get earlier each evening. It starts getting dark about 7:30 these days. I guess another way to say that might be – The evening sun hugs the mountain tops allowing the trees to embrace its rays for yet another glorious sunset over the New Hampshire landscape. Bottom line – get to the outhouse before it is completely dark.
BTW - Tim, one of the best bosses in the whole world offered to empty the composting toilet for me. Yeah Tim, you rock!
Tomorrow, Tuesday will be me last day working. It is a CSA pickup day so there will be no slacking! Not that I ever do. Wednesday I’ll leave to meet up with Tom and Jerry (I just love saying that combination – it reminds me of all the loony tune people I know) and Dave. Exactly happens after that? Stay tuned…
Oh, yea, today Jerry and I are celebrating 35 years of living and loving.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Sneak Attack
There was a welcomed chill in the air this morning. The trees are beginning to hint of the color change that is on the way. There are oranges, yellows and reds appearing every now and then. The seasons, they are a changin’.
I headed out in the sunshine to offer to do chores this morning. Everything was done but the eggs. That’s okay because I like gathering the eggs for some reason. ( I actually saw a chicken drop one yesterday - nature in action.) Coming out of the first chicken coop I started singing, Oh What A Beautiful Morning. I knew no one else was around – so why not? Then suddenly I experienced that split second that it takes for pain to register in your brain (well, maybe not your brain but at least mine). First the pain, then looking down I discovered a rooster attached to my knee with his beak. Then it registers that this really, really hurts. I swift kick removed him from my leg. I am so thankful I had my long pants on because even then he drew blood. That is the last time I sing in that yard! Next time I just might wear my (Maria’s) knee pads when gathering eggs.
Not much else going on today. I drove over to nearby Littleton to visit a store that boasts of the world’s longest candy counter, just a glorified souvenir shop. Traffic everywhere. It seems that most of the little towns around make their living off of souvenir shopping tourists. Just not my thing. I found my way down to the Farmer’s Market and wandered around there for a bit. Bought some cookies and picked up some ice cream so that I can celebrate our 35th anniversary with whoever is here on the farm tomorrow. (You can bet that rooster isn’t going to get any.)
The clouds are heavy, it is windy and drizzles every now and then. I think I’ve seen most of what there is to see in the nearby area so I guess I’ll just stay put. I am glad I bought the radio the other day. Most of the time I prefer silence but every now and then I appreciate a little noise – beyond the oinks, baaaas and clucks.
I think there is one other job that I need to do before I leave on Wednesday morning. The other wwoofer has left already so that leaves just me and it seems to me that the compost toilet needs emptying. This has been the summer of many firsts for me - - so what’s one more. Stay tune to see if it really happens….
I headed out in the sunshine to offer to do chores this morning. Everything was done but the eggs. That’s okay because I like gathering the eggs for some reason. ( I actually saw a chicken drop one yesterday - nature in action.) Coming out of the first chicken coop I started singing, Oh What A Beautiful Morning. I knew no one else was around – so why not? Then suddenly I experienced that split second that it takes for pain to register in your brain (well, maybe not your brain but at least mine). First the pain, then looking down I discovered a rooster attached to my knee with his beak. Then it registers that this really, really hurts. I swift kick removed him from my leg. I am so thankful I had my long pants on because even then he drew blood. That is the last time I sing in that yard! Next time I just might wear my (Maria’s) knee pads when gathering eggs.
Not much else going on today. I drove over to nearby Littleton to visit a store that boasts of the world’s longest candy counter, just a glorified souvenir shop. Traffic everywhere. It seems that most of the little towns around make their living off of souvenir shopping tourists. Just not my thing. I found my way down to the Farmer’s Market and wandered around there for a bit. Bought some cookies and picked up some ice cream so that I can celebrate our 35th anniversary with whoever is here on the farm tomorrow. (You can bet that rooster isn’t going to get any.)
The clouds are heavy, it is windy and drizzles every now and then. I think I’ve seen most of what there is to see in the nearby area so I guess I’ll just stay put. I am glad I bought the radio the other day. Most of the time I prefer silence but every now and then I appreciate a little noise – beyond the oinks, baaaas and clucks.
I think there is one other job that I need to do before I leave on Wednesday morning. The other wwoofer has left already so that leaves just me and it seems to me that the compost toilet needs emptying. This has been the summer of many firsts for me - - so what’s one more. Stay tune to see if it really happens….
Saturday, September 4, 2010
What a Difference A Day Makes
It rained a little last night the tems and humidity dropped dramatically, thanks to Earl, I suppose. What a wonderful weather day.
Dropped Tom and Jerry and Dave off on the AT this morning after yet another hiker’s breakfast. They headed north out of Gorham. The plan is to meet them on Wednesday at Grafton Notch, about a 30 mile hike that will take them in to ME probably on Sunday.
At breakfast we met up with another hiker, Bulldog. Bulldog is visually impaired. We talked for a while then he joined us for breakfast. It is amazing to imagine a blind person hiking the AT. He said that he is doing it to raise awareness for the use and development of technology to aid the visually impaired. He does have a camera man traveling with him as they are filming a documentary. Mostly Bulldog is relying on his GPS to keep him on track. There is a book out there about another blind guy, Bill Erwin who hikes the trail some years ago with his dog. The book is call Blind Courage, another good read.
Thursday on my way to meet Jerry in Gorham I picked up a hitch hiker, Sandman. We talked a little about the trail and wwoofing. When I got back to the farm today I find out that Sandman got pack on the AT at Crawford Notch, hiked about a mile in, did not like the hot weather so he decided to hitch back to Bethlehem to try and find the farm that I was wwoofing on. So when I got back today he was here. I think he is staying for a day or two. Apparently he had tried his hand at farming sometime in the past and wanted to experience it again and see what this wwoofing thing is all about. It is just amazing how some things work out.
But my hours in today picking spinach, tomatoes, cleaning and bunching onions and chasing chickens. I am so looking forward to being home, driving over to NKU and picking up our CSA share that someone else has planted, nurtured, harvested and brought to us. But my appreciation for this process is endless.
The wind is blowing like crazy and the camper is rockin’. Bet I lose my shower curtain tonight.
Dropped Tom and Jerry and Dave off on the AT this morning after yet another hiker’s breakfast. They headed north out of Gorham. The plan is to meet them on Wednesday at Grafton Notch, about a 30 mile hike that will take them in to ME probably on Sunday.
At breakfast we met up with another hiker, Bulldog. Bulldog is visually impaired. We talked for a while then he joined us for breakfast. It is amazing to imagine a blind person hiking the AT. He said that he is doing it to raise awareness for the use and development of technology to aid the visually impaired. He does have a camera man traveling with him as they are filming a documentary. Mostly Bulldog is relying on his GPS to keep him on track. There is a book out there about another blind guy, Bill Erwin who hikes the trail some years ago with his dog. The book is call Blind Courage, another good read.
Thursday on my way to meet Jerry in Gorham I picked up a hitch hiker, Sandman. We talked a little about the trail and wwoofing. When I got back to the farm today I find out that Sandman got pack on the AT at Crawford Notch, hiked about a mile in, did not like the hot weather so he decided to hitch back to Bethlehem to try and find the farm that I was wwoofing on. So when I got back today he was here. I think he is staying for a day or two. Apparently he had tried his hand at farming sometime in the past and wanted to experience it again and see what this wwoofing thing is all about. It is just amazing how some things work out.
But my hours in today picking spinach, tomatoes, cleaning and bunching onions and chasing chickens. I am so looking forward to being home, driving over to NKU and picking up our CSA share that someone else has planted, nurtured, harvested and brought to us. But my appreciation for this process is endless.
The wind is blowing like crazy and the camper is rockin’. Bet I lose my shower curtain tonight.
Friday, September 3, 2010
R O M A N C E
Romance – so many ways to spell it
So it is Labor day weekend and also Monday is the 35th anniversary of our wedding.
I met up with Jerry on Thursday evening in Gorham NH. We’re staying at a mom and pop motel until Saturday when he will take off hiking with Tom and Dave who are joining him for about a week on the A.T.
Last night we had dinner out at a nice but nothing fancy restaurant. It still amazes me how much he can eat. Came back to the motel and I fell asleep while Jerry played with his pictures on the computer. This morning we went to the laundry mat where Jerry played with his pictures on the computer and I did the laundry. Oh, here’s a first – It was the first time I witnessed a thru-hiker (not Jerry) actually strip down in the laundry mat and put on his rain gear so that he could wash everything he was wearing. He was very discrete about it, I just happened to look up at the wrong/right time.
After the laundry mat we went to breakfast – did I mention how much Jerry can actually eat? Then a stop at the outfitters. Jerry at the moment is looking through his resupply box before we make a run to walmart.
There is a pool at the motel which we will certainly make use of this afternoon. Tom and Dave are suppose to arrive sometime in the afternoon.
Well, I made a decision to return home with Tom and Dave. Sitting quietly in the back seat they will not even know I’m there. Jerry has apporx. 4 weeks to go. There are not many road crossings in ME and then there is the 100 mile wilderness, so I wouldn’t be able to connect up with him much at all. It would be a long four weeks at the farm. Once we have a frost the water to the camper will be turned off – I have more excuses but most of all I’m just missing everyone – kids, family, friends…
I’ll be leaving the van at the farm and then riding back up with Jay and Judy when Jerry summits. It just seems like the right thing to do – perhaps for my mental health as much as anything. The opportunity is so perfect so I’m taking that as a sign.
I’ll be working on the farm this week yet until Tom pulls out. BTW, no holiday weekend here. I have to work Saturday and Sunday to make up for the time I’m taking off to be here now.
It is good to be together again if just for a short time. It makes me smile. Guess that is how we spell romance at this point in time.
P.S. one more night to stay here and Jerry has 3 pints of Ben & Jerry’s stashed in the freezer – ah, romance!
So it is Labor day weekend and also Monday is the 35th anniversary of our wedding.
I met up with Jerry on Thursday evening in Gorham NH. We’re staying at a mom and pop motel until Saturday when he will take off hiking with Tom and Dave who are joining him for about a week on the A.T.
Last night we had dinner out at a nice but nothing fancy restaurant. It still amazes me how much he can eat. Came back to the motel and I fell asleep while Jerry played with his pictures on the computer. This morning we went to the laundry mat where Jerry played with his pictures on the computer and I did the laundry. Oh, here’s a first – It was the first time I witnessed a thru-hiker (not Jerry) actually strip down in the laundry mat and put on his rain gear so that he could wash everything he was wearing. He was very discrete about it, I just happened to look up at the wrong/right time.
After the laundry mat we went to breakfast – did I mention how much Jerry can actually eat? Then a stop at the outfitters. Jerry at the moment is looking through his resupply box before we make a run to walmart.
There is a pool at the motel which we will certainly make use of this afternoon. Tom and Dave are suppose to arrive sometime in the afternoon.
Well, I made a decision to return home with Tom and Dave. Sitting quietly in the back seat they will not even know I’m there. Jerry has apporx. 4 weeks to go. There are not many road crossings in ME and then there is the 100 mile wilderness, so I wouldn’t be able to connect up with him much at all. It would be a long four weeks at the farm. Once we have a frost the water to the camper will be turned off – I have more excuses but most of all I’m just missing everyone – kids, family, friends…
I’ll be leaving the van at the farm and then riding back up with Jay and Judy when Jerry summits. It just seems like the right thing to do – perhaps for my mental health as much as anything. The opportunity is so perfect so I’m taking that as a sign.
I’ll be working on the farm this week yet until Tom pulls out. BTW, no holiday weekend here. I have to work Saturday and Sunday to make up for the time I’m taking off to be here now.
It is good to be together again if just for a short time. It makes me smile. Guess that is how we spell romance at this point in time.
P.S. one more night to stay here and Jerry has 3 pints of Ben & Jerry’s stashed in the freezer – ah, romance!
Today's Blog is Brought to You By the Letter "C"
'C is for cookie that’s good enough for me’ some of you might remember that was Cookie Monster’s favorite song.
Well, in the field I’ve learned that C also stands for: (you get to fill in the blanks)
Compassion ________
Coexistence_______
Cooperation________
Co-creation__________
Co-dependency__________
Creating________________
Chemistry ______________
Companionship_____________
Cosmos_________________
Creators________________
Cultivate____________
Compliment_________
Cause_____________
Community_____________
Creed_______________
Communicate_____________
Clockwork______________
Common Ground__________
Common Good____________
Challenges________________
Constructive________________
Connections________________ And yes, C is for cookie!
Well, in the field I’ve learned that C also stands for: (you get to fill in the blanks)
Compassion ________
Coexistence_______
Cooperation________
Co-creation__________
Co-dependency__________
Creating________________
Chemistry ______________
Companionship_____________
Cosmos_________________
Creators________________
Cultivate____________
Compliment_________
Cause_____________
Community_____________
Creed_______________
Communicate_____________
Clockwork______________
Common Ground__________
Common Good____________
Challenges________________
Constructive________________
Connections________________ And yes, C is for cookie!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Maybe it's the heat
It has been unusually hot here as it has been back home.
I spent the morning planting garlic in the greenhouse, a really hot job. After mentioning to the head gardener that I didn't sleep well last night he told me to take the afternoon off and go swimming. That's the kind of place this is - wonderful. I did go to the lake but not in the water.
I got bit today by the homesickness bug. Really hard! I need to be able to see my family and friends or maybe just know that they are near. Chickens, pigs and goats just aren't doing it for me at the moment.
I have some possibilities in mind, we'll see what happens.
Shortest post yet - but honest!
I spent the morning planting garlic in the greenhouse, a really hot job. After mentioning to the head gardener that I didn't sleep well last night he told me to take the afternoon off and go swimming. That's the kind of place this is - wonderful. I did go to the lake but not in the water.
I got bit today by the homesickness bug. Really hard! I need to be able to see my family and friends or maybe just know that they are near. Chickens, pigs and goats just aren't doing it for me at the moment.
I have some possibilities in mind, we'll see what happens.
Shortest post yet - but honest!
Weasels and skunks and Mice, Oh My!
I think that was the order of their appearance this morning. The weasel was playing in the stacked up lumber outside the camper this morning. He stuck his nose and the rest of his body out a couple of times. Cute little thing. It seems the farmers were surprised to hear that one was in the neighborhood. The skunk was once again in the Have a Heart Trap. The mouse was running around under one of the chicken coops as we were feeding the chickens.
I helped with morning chores again today; feeding the animals, collecting the eggs. It seem that they are ready to trust me with that job.
I also harvested beans and cleaned the onions that were collected yesterday. Anthony fixed lunch today, pork chops and salsa and chips. It was good. I also made sure that I had a decent breakfast today. Energy level seemed okay. But then I didn’t spend the afternoon in the hot sun like yesterday.
Got off work about 3:30. I actually left the farm and went into Littleton to walmart – and – I- bought-a- shower curtain and hooks. Can we all say Yeah!, it’s about time. I wanted to get the blue dauphin one but decided that the green tree frog one would blend in better with the outdoor theme. It worked okay. I think we’ll do better when the breeze isn’t blowing. And then today was CSA pickup day. Half way through I was thinking that this might be a bad idea because it could happen that someone might roam the grounds. Then when I reached for my towel which I had statically placed outside the curtain on a camp chair, I discovered that my chair had blown over and was now out of reach. So much for my attempts at modesty. I’m sure my technique will improve with time.
Tomorrow – I tackle – the – outhouse. Edwin, the other lowly wwoofer who used the outhouse moved on this morning. So now the outhouse is all mine. All mine I say! I have a broom poised for use in the morning when the flies are a little less active. I see the magazines up off the floor and perhaps a little vase of flowers on the seat that doesn’t get used too much because it is the one for squatters. Or at least, a picture of flowers on the wall. Stay tune for more developments…
I also bought a radio. I thought it might be nice to hear the news and weather. They have a fairly good NPR station up here.
Oh, Edwin had been living in a space above the barn. I went UP and checked it out today. I don’t think I want to move up there but it has a sweet view of the western sky. Should be a great place to watch the sunset.
I helped with morning chores again today; feeding the animals, collecting the eggs. It seem that they are ready to trust me with that job.
I also harvested beans and cleaned the onions that were collected yesterday. Anthony fixed lunch today, pork chops and salsa and chips. It was good. I also made sure that I had a decent breakfast today. Energy level seemed okay. But then I didn’t spend the afternoon in the hot sun like yesterday.
Got off work about 3:30. I actually left the farm and went into Littleton to walmart – and – I- bought-a- shower curtain and hooks. Can we all say Yeah!, it’s about time. I wanted to get the blue dauphin one but decided that the green tree frog one would blend in better with the outdoor theme. It worked okay. I think we’ll do better when the breeze isn’t blowing. And then today was CSA pickup day. Half way through I was thinking that this might be a bad idea because it could happen that someone might roam the grounds. Then when I reached for my towel which I had statically placed outside the curtain on a camp chair, I discovered that my chair had blown over and was now out of reach. So much for my attempts at modesty. I’m sure my technique will improve with time.
Tomorrow – I tackle – the – outhouse. Edwin, the other lowly wwoofer who used the outhouse moved on this morning. So now the outhouse is all mine. All mine I say! I have a broom poised for use in the morning when the flies are a little less active. I see the magazines up off the floor and perhaps a little vase of flowers on the seat that doesn’t get used too much because it is the one for squatters. Or at least, a picture of flowers on the wall. Stay tune for more developments…
I also bought a radio. I thought it might be nice to hear the news and weather. They have a fairly good NPR station up here.
Oh, Edwin had been living in a space above the barn. I went UP and checked it out today. I don’t think I want to move up there but it has a sweet view of the western sky. Should be a great place to watch the sunset.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Theology in the Onion Patch
After I harvested some red and green peppers, summer squash and zucchini I headed to the onion patch. I worked one on one with Anthony for the first time today. It was good – not so much the harvest but the conversation. Anthony has three different degrees, anthropology is the only one I can remember at the moment due to the fact that the heat has fried my brain today. Anyway, he is thinking about going back to school for theological studies. So the bending and pulling was enhanced by a little theological discussion.
The afternoon was spent in the lettuce bed. Just me and the weeds.
It’s Monday, I know, but my energy level is sooo very low. Came back to the camper and laid down for a moment or two. Can’t really seem to rest. Took a shower – rigged up a beach towel as a door since it is the middle of the day and there are still people around. Tried to talk myself in to going to walmart for a few items but it just isn’t going to happen.
Temp reached 92 today in NH. It does cool off nicely at night to the point that it is cold in the morning.
Not much else happening. Here’s hoping for a new level of energy tomorrow.
The afternoon was spent in the lettuce bed. Just me and the weeds.
It’s Monday, I know, but my energy level is sooo very low. Came back to the camper and laid down for a moment or two. Can’t really seem to rest. Took a shower – rigged up a beach towel as a door since it is the middle of the day and there are still people around. Tried to talk myself in to going to walmart for a few items but it just isn’t going to happen.
Temp reached 92 today in NH. It does cool off nicely at night to the point that it is cold in the morning.
Not much else happening. Here’s hoping for a new level of energy tomorrow.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Living Waters
The previous blog I kind of made an observation about the campground that was named Living Waters. Well, today my day was framed by just a thing.
I dropped Jerry off this morning where I had picked him up on Friday night. I also delivered the other hiker to the same spot. Jerry went North. Loadstone headed South. I came back through the notch and found a wonderful little pond and a picnic table just right for some morning meditation. The mountain across the road was Willey Mountain. It was named for a family who back in 1826 died in a landslide on the mountain. Seems they had built their home at the base of the mountain. During a violent storm, fearing a landslide similar to the one they has witnessed on the other side of the mountain, the family fled the house. In the end the family all died but their house was spared due to a rock cliff that was above it. Sad Story.
I came back to the farm, Meadowstone by name and took down our tent that Jerry stayed in the last two nights and cleaned out the car a little.
Couldn’t decide if I should just stick around here and read or do some sightseeing. After all, the mountains of NH are not always available for a Sunday afternoon drive.
Christy called me and I tried to make contact with out other NKY kids. Ben and Joanna managed to call back. It is always good to feel connected to the people back home. Jerry and I decided to try and meet up in Gorham this Friday evening, so I managed to get a room reservation for the night even on a holiday weekend.
After all the phone calls I took a short nap and then looked at the map. I found a state park called Forest Lake. After literally going around in a circle, I managed to find the right road and to find the park. A rather small place with a big lake. There were families swimming and picnicking together. Just having fun. I called my Aunt Joy from there, again just needing to be connected to the people I love. It also was a great place for an evening meditation.
Came back to the farm, Meadowstone by name, and ran in to Sam who invited me to the 6:00 milking. Once again I got to try my hand(s) at milking the goats. These guys and the goats sure have patience with me.
So, ‘now the sun is sinking in the west. Little children go home to take their rest’. Soon I will be headed for the last trip of the day to the outhouse. I like to do that before it really gets dark. Sorry if that is too much information. BTW last week they caught 3 skunks – they tell me that the skunks hadn’t been a problem until I came – hmmmm.
Can’t decide if I want a little supper before I go to bed or if I’ll just wait until breakfast.
Have a good one….
I dropped Jerry off this morning where I had picked him up on Friday night. I also delivered the other hiker to the same spot. Jerry went North. Loadstone headed South. I came back through the notch and found a wonderful little pond and a picnic table just right for some morning meditation. The mountain across the road was Willey Mountain. It was named for a family who back in 1826 died in a landslide on the mountain. Seems they had built their home at the base of the mountain. During a violent storm, fearing a landslide similar to the one they has witnessed on the other side of the mountain, the family fled the house. In the end the family all died but their house was spared due to a rock cliff that was above it. Sad Story.
I came back to the farm, Meadowstone by name and took down our tent that Jerry stayed in the last two nights and cleaned out the car a little.
Couldn’t decide if I should just stick around here and read or do some sightseeing. After all, the mountains of NH are not always available for a Sunday afternoon drive.
Christy called me and I tried to make contact with out other NKY kids. Ben and Joanna managed to call back. It is always good to feel connected to the people back home. Jerry and I decided to try and meet up in Gorham this Friday evening, so I managed to get a room reservation for the night even on a holiday weekend.
After all the phone calls I took a short nap and then looked at the map. I found a state park called Forest Lake. After literally going around in a circle, I managed to find the right road and to find the park. A rather small place with a big lake. There were families swimming and picnicking together. Just having fun. I called my Aunt Joy from there, again just needing to be connected to the people I love. It also was a great place for an evening meditation.
Came back to the farm, Meadowstone by name, and ran in to Sam who invited me to the 6:00 milking. Once again I got to try my hand(s) at milking the goats. These guys and the goats sure have patience with me.
So, ‘now the sun is sinking in the west. Little children go home to take their rest’. Soon I will be headed for the last trip of the day to the outhouse. I like to do that before it really gets dark. Sorry if that is too much information. BTW last week they caught 3 skunks – they tell me that the skunks hadn’t been a problem until I came – hmmmm.
Can’t decide if I want a little supper before I go to bed or if I’ll just wait until breakfast.
Have a good one….
Mountains Beyond Mountains
After laundry we headed in to Littleton to pick up some groceries. Found a great store and bought much more than we should have. Decided to grab a burger for lunch and then headed over to the Crawford Notch area once again. The scenery is just breathtaking. We stopped at the Cog Railway that goes up to Mt. Washington. That is one impressive mountain! Elevation = 6,288. It was there that the highest wind speed on the planet was recorded. Most of the time the peak is covered with clouds but ‘on a clear day you can see forever’.
After Mt, Washington we stopped at the AMC center. Jerry bought some winter gloves and a new mouth piece for his water bladder. Then we drove through the notch once again. So many mountains in every direction, reaching upward as signs of hope, offering adventures to all who accept the invitation.
We saw another moose by the tree line of the road. This one was a big bull. Well, they say it wasn’t all that big but in that case I’m not sure I want to see a big one.
On the way home we picked up a hitch-hiker (sorry mom). He was a thru-hiker who was flip-flopping. (Hiked part of the way north and then goes to ME and hikes south until he get to the place he stopped.)
He was hoping to hitch to a motel for the night – sounds easy, right? After 6 stops we finally found a place that had a vacancy – Living Waters Campgrounds – maybe that explains it. We made arrangement to pick him up in the morning and deliver him back to the trail head.
We headed back to Meadowstone Farm where I met Tim the owner for the first time since I had arrived.
Jerry and I decided on BLTs for dinner. Zach and Edwin joined us at the picnic table for supper. That was nice for them to get to know Jerry a little more and vice versa.
Clair called today. Always so good to hear from her and her life at the bottom of the world. She has been a great source of encouragement to both Jerry and me. Judy VH also called and we talked to Joan. Thanks again to one and all who are supporting us through this crazy adventure.
Each night when I look at the skyline and see the trees I realize that I’m not in Kansas anymore. Tonight at least it is good to share this slice of my life with Jerry.
BTW – there is a book entitled Mountains Beyond Mountains. Written about a Dr. Paul Farmer. A very good and inspiring read.
After Mt, Washington we stopped at the AMC center. Jerry bought some winter gloves and a new mouth piece for his water bladder. Then we drove through the notch once again. So many mountains in every direction, reaching upward as signs of hope, offering adventures to all who accept the invitation.
We saw another moose by the tree line of the road. This one was a big bull. Well, they say it wasn’t all that big but in that case I’m not sure I want to see a big one.
On the way home we picked up a hitch-hiker (sorry mom). He was a thru-hiker who was flip-flopping. (Hiked part of the way north and then goes to ME and hikes south until he get to the place he stopped.)
He was hoping to hitch to a motel for the night – sounds easy, right? After 6 stops we finally found a place that had a vacancy – Living Waters Campgrounds – maybe that explains it. We made arrangement to pick him up in the morning and deliver him back to the trail head.
We headed back to Meadowstone Farm where I met Tim the owner for the first time since I had arrived.
Jerry and I decided on BLTs for dinner. Zach and Edwin joined us at the picnic table for supper. That was nice for them to get to know Jerry a little more and vice versa.
Clair called today. Always so good to hear from her and her life at the bottom of the world. She has been a great source of encouragement to both Jerry and me. Judy VH also called and we talked to Joan. Thanks again to one and all who are supporting us through this crazy adventure.
Each night when I look at the skyline and see the trees I realize that I’m not in Kansas anymore. Tonight at least it is good to share this slice of my life with Jerry.
BTW – there is a book entitled Mountains Beyond Mountains. Written about a Dr. Paul Farmer. A very good and inspiring read.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Saturday Morning Cartoons...
No, no, no, this is still reality. I didn’t get around to blogging last evening. I’ll blame it on Jerry. The area is just beautiful. The mountains, the notch, it will take a better person than me to describe it. Hope to take some pictures today. We didn’t have phone coverage on Friday but on Thursday he said that he hoped to get off the trail about 6:00 p.m. So finally walks off the trail at…6:01. I don’t know how he does that.
So I brought Jerry back to the farm. He showered in the doorless shower. We went out for dinner. Had too much, too late. I was awake from 1:00-5:00 a.m. Jerry slept in the tent because there isn’t enough room for two people in the camper. I guess I could have slept in the tent also but I’m honestly trying to make this place my home. I think there was a warmth factor also to be perfectly honest. So I just listened for hours to this nifty little plug in night light clock that Judy gave me. No inspiring words were heard, just tic, tic, tic.
So I got up around 6:00 to go to the bathroom and happened to run into Zach and being the nice person that I am, I asked if he needed help. I ended up picking herbs for a while. Jerry finally rolled out of the tent about 8:00. After talking (mostly to himself) he decided to take a zero day today. His knee was bothering him a little yesterday. He also wanted time to resupply and regroup before hitting the trail for Mt. Washington. So, ‘we’ did laundry. Ate some breakfast. At the moment he is going through his resupply box. Later I think we will drive back over to Crawford Notch to enjoy the area, the sights Jerry does not get to see from above.
It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood and a beautiful day to spend some time together. It is always nice to have him close although I do my best not to try and persuade him one way or the other. He is down to 345 miles. Yea, Jerry!
So I brought Jerry back to the farm. He showered in the doorless shower. We went out for dinner. Had too much, too late. I was awake from 1:00-5:00 a.m. Jerry slept in the tent because there isn’t enough room for two people in the camper. I guess I could have slept in the tent also but I’m honestly trying to make this place my home. I think there was a warmth factor also to be perfectly honest. So I just listened for hours to this nifty little plug in night light clock that Judy gave me. No inspiring words were heard, just tic, tic, tic.
So I got up around 6:00 to go to the bathroom and happened to run into Zach and being the nice person that I am, I asked if he needed help. I ended up picking herbs for a while. Jerry finally rolled out of the tent about 8:00. After talking (mostly to himself) he decided to take a zero day today. His knee was bothering him a little yesterday. He also wanted time to resupply and regroup before hitting the trail for Mt. Washington. So, ‘we’ did laundry. Ate some breakfast. At the moment he is going through his resupply box. Later I think we will drive back over to Crawford Notch to enjoy the area, the sights Jerry does not get to see from above.
It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood and a beautiful day to spend some time together. It is always nice to have him close although I do my best not to try and persuade him one way or the other. He is down to 345 miles. Yea, Jerry!
Friday, August 27, 2010
I'm sitting on a farm in NH
I’m sitting on a farm in New Hampshire…
I know you all know that but I have to keep reminding myself. It all seems a little surreal.
Not my reality – but wait, I guess it is.
Harvested and washed red and green tomatoes, summer squash, green peppers and red peppers. Worked on cleaning up a green house. Offered to help with evening chores but just ended up helping to wash and box eggs.
Everyone is so nice here. They are all very young – but I guess that is relative. Very understanding of the new wwoofer ( that’s me). There is one other wwoofer here, Edwin, a college senior from Nevada. He has been here since July and will be leaving next Tuesday to return to the Univ. of Chicago. Everyone keeps asking me how long I’ll be staying. I wish I had an answer for them. Guess I’ll stay as long as they let me or until Jerry summits. Katahdin is only a 5 ½ hour drive from here.
Well, I managed to wash my hair in the sink this morning. But it had been 3 days since my last shower. So this afternoon I bit the bullet and used the outdoor (without a door) shower. That’s the new me folks! It was a quickie. Immediately after I finished it started to rain – could have saved on water I guess.
Jerry just called. Looks like I’ll be meeting him at a road crossing tomorrow evening and bring him back here for the night. Although I don’t think there is enough room in my camper for the two of us.
At the moment I wearing a very old shirt of Clair’s it says; Life is either a daring adventure or it is nothing. (Helen Keller)
On that note……..
I know you all know that but I have to keep reminding myself. It all seems a little surreal.
Not my reality – but wait, I guess it is.
Harvested and washed red and green tomatoes, summer squash, green peppers and red peppers. Worked on cleaning up a green house. Offered to help with evening chores but just ended up helping to wash and box eggs.
Everyone is so nice here. They are all very young – but I guess that is relative. Very understanding of the new wwoofer ( that’s me). There is one other wwoofer here, Edwin, a college senior from Nevada. He has been here since July and will be leaving next Tuesday to return to the Univ. of Chicago. Everyone keeps asking me how long I’ll be staying. I wish I had an answer for them. Guess I’ll stay as long as they let me or until Jerry summits. Katahdin is only a 5 ½ hour drive from here.
Well, I managed to wash my hair in the sink this morning. But it had been 3 days since my last shower. So this afternoon I bit the bullet and used the outdoor (without a door) shower. That’s the new me folks! It was a quickie. Immediately after I finished it started to rain – could have saved on water I guess.
Jerry just called. Looks like I’ll be meeting him at a road crossing tomorrow evening and bring him back here for the night. Although I don’t think there is enough room in my camper for the two of us.
At the moment I wearing a very old shirt of Clair’s it says; Life is either a daring adventure or it is nothing. (Helen Keller)
On that note……..
Thursday, August 26, 2010
It's a rainny day
It’s a rainy day, a rainy day
It’s raining outside so we can’t go out and play……but wait, apparently you can work out in the field. It was only a light drizzle this morning but that didn’t stop us doing the morning chores, i.e. collecting the eggs, feeding the chickens, turkeys, more chickens, pigs, Bob the goat, more chickens. I made the rounds with Zac. He assured me that I would not be doing this on my own until I felt comfortable with it. (I’m thinking ''comfortable? Maybe neverrrr! Hopefully, I’m just kidding there. )
The rain did not stop us from weeding the lettuce, the spinach, pulling up the broccoli plants (those little devils have some root system and want to hold on tight.) The rain came down harder after lunch so we moved under cover and planted 30 trays of spinach. Interesting process – a lot is involved with getting those little seeds in the little trays of about 35 squares of dirt.
One thing for sure, I’m certainly learning to appreciate farmers. I think that began with my first trip to Genesis Farm and has continued to grow ever since.
So it is evening now. Things are quite and I’m sitting in my little camper. I managed to warm up with a little soup for supper. The rain has stopped. The camper is comfortable. Rather small but they even hooked up the water and gas for me. The outhouse still remains outside, as does the shower still doorless (maybe by the next time I see Jerry we’ll be smelling more alike. Guess loosing my sense of smell might have its perks after all.) I’m tired, as soon as it gets a little darker I’m sure I’ll be in my sleeping bag with a prayer for a good night’s sleep.
I usually write the blog up during the evening and post them the next morning – just in case you were wondering.
It’s raining outside so we can’t go out and play……but wait, apparently you can work out in the field. It was only a light drizzle this morning but that didn’t stop us doing the morning chores, i.e. collecting the eggs, feeding the chickens, turkeys, more chickens, pigs, Bob the goat, more chickens. I made the rounds with Zac. He assured me that I would not be doing this on my own until I felt comfortable with it. (I’m thinking ''comfortable? Maybe neverrrr! Hopefully, I’m just kidding there. )
The rain did not stop us from weeding the lettuce, the spinach, pulling up the broccoli plants (those little devils have some root system and want to hold on tight.) The rain came down harder after lunch so we moved under cover and planted 30 trays of spinach. Interesting process – a lot is involved with getting those little seeds in the little trays of about 35 squares of dirt.
One thing for sure, I’m certainly learning to appreciate farmers. I think that began with my first trip to Genesis Farm and has continued to grow ever since.
So it is evening now. Things are quite and I’m sitting in my little camper. I managed to warm up with a little soup for supper. The rain has stopped. The camper is comfortable. Rather small but they even hooked up the water and gas for me. The outhouse still remains outside, as does the shower still doorless (maybe by the next time I see Jerry we’ll be smelling more alike. Guess loosing my sense of smell might have its perks after all.) I’m tired, as soon as it gets a little darker I’m sure I’ll be in my sleeping bag with a prayer for a good night’s sleep.
I usually write the blog up during the evening and post them the next morning – just in case you were wondering.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
I found my way to Bethlehem
There was no baby, there were no kings, there was no heavenly chorus, no shepherds in the field…
But wait I did find….
Friendly, welcoming people, vegetables growing in the fields, chickens, pigs, goats, turkeys.
I did find an old camper stuck in a field close to a compost outhouse, next to a doorless outdoor shower.
The camper has running water and a small refrig and a stove, and a place to sleep and a sky that tells me night will soon be here. The camper should have a home sweet home sign because that what it is for me, for a while .
Today I washed lettuce in bathtubs. The lettuce got dried in….the spin cycle of a washing machine.
I collected eggs from under the chickens and crated them (the eggs not the chickens)
We pulled the broccoli plants from the ground – the ground seemed to be holding on tight.
Today was pick up day for the CSA so we arranged the veggies for pick up. They have, I think 25 shares holders. Far cry from Genesis Farm.
At the end of the day I was beat. I spent time trying to become comfortable in the camper. Still working on that. Decided to take some pictures as the sun was still up – barely. As I was starting to walk around Zac asked if I wanted to watch him milk the goats. – Can you see what is coming next? I milked my first goat! I think I did okay at it.
I’m very tired. Hoping to sleep through the night with all the new and different sounds. I’m sure I’ll wake with the goats and get up for a 2:00 feeding as in when we had the little ones in our care. The goats sound a lot like newborns.
So I came to Bethlehem – no baby, no Mary, no Joseph, but—I think I found a new Susan. One who has a long way to go to be comfortable in this new life but one who thinks she can stretch herself far enough to appreciate this new experience.
(I can see it now – who will be the one to start the betting on just how long I’ll last here?)
The sky is dark now and the moon is rising. How Beautiful! How blessed I am to be in Bethlehem!
But wait I did find….
Friendly, welcoming people, vegetables growing in the fields, chickens, pigs, goats, turkeys.
I did find an old camper stuck in a field close to a compost outhouse, next to a doorless outdoor shower.
The camper has running water and a small refrig and a stove, and a place to sleep and a sky that tells me night will soon be here. The camper should have a home sweet home sign because that what it is for me, for a while .
Today I washed lettuce in bathtubs. The lettuce got dried in….the spin cycle of a washing machine.
I collected eggs from under the chickens and crated them (the eggs not the chickens)
We pulled the broccoli plants from the ground – the ground seemed to be holding on tight.
Today was pick up day for the CSA so we arranged the veggies for pick up. They have, I think 25 shares holders. Far cry from Genesis Farm.
At the end of the day I was beat. I spent time trying to become comfortable in the camper. Still working on that. Decided to take some pictures as the sun was still up – barely. As I was starting to walk around Zac asked if I wanted to watch him milk the goats. – Can you see what is coming next? I milked my first goat! I think I did okay at it.
I’m very tired. Hoping to sleep through the night with all the new and different sounds. I’m sure I’ll wake with the goats and get up for a 2:00 feeding as in when we had the little ones in our care. The goats sound a lot like newborns.
So I came to Bethlehem – no baby, no Mary, no Joseph, but—I think I found a new Susan. One who has a long way to go to be comfortable in this new life but one who thinks she can stretch herself far enough to appreciate this new experience.
(I can see it now – who will be the one to start the betting on just how long I’ll last here?)
The sky is dark now and the moon is rising. How Beautiful! How blessed I am to be in Bethlehem!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Following The Star
today to Bethlehem, NH.
To Meadowstone Farm - to wwoof.
And the sun is shinning - first time in three days. Yea!
To Meadowstone Farm - to wwoof.
And the sun is shinning - first time in three days. Yea!
Monday, August 23, 2010
THINGS I’VE SEEN RECENTLY:
-morning light coming through the rain soaked tent walls
-the shadows of the rain drops joining together in race down the rain fly
-the mountains making their own weather
-Jerry coming off the AT on to the road crossing with a smile on his face
-MOOSE – a cow and her calf standing in the woods just off the road, watching us as we watched them
-Jerry eating 3 cups of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream as an appetizer
-the little spoon hidden under the lid of the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream (so cute)
-white blazes
-the clouds swallowing the tops of and sometimes the whole mountain
-an Inn Keeper who reminded me an awful lot of Bob Newhart
-a nice, warm, comfortable, dry room (with a TV and wifi-woohoo)
-Clean, dry, warm clothes
-other thru-hikers, you not only see them, you can smell them too
-mountains in every direction
-a hint of color coming to the trees- yellows, reds, oranges just starting to appear
-almost a bear, out our bathroom window- innkeeper saw it but it disappeared by the time we got there
-dunkin donuts hot chocolate
-a whole lot less traffic – weekend traffic is gone
-still drizzle coming down from the clouds
-Jerry walking off again following the blazes to ME, so excited to be so far
-the shadows of the rain drops joining together in race down the rain fly
-the mountains making their own weather
-Jerry coming off the AT on to the road crossing with a smile on his face
-MOOSE – a cow and her calf standing in the woods just off the road, watching us as we watched them
-Jerry eating 3 cups of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream as an appetizer
-the little spoon hidden under the lid of the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream (so cute)
-white blazes
-the clouds swallowing the tops of and sometimes the whole mountain
-an Inn Keeper who reminded me an awful lot of Bob Newhart
-a nice, warm, comfortable, dry room (with a TV and wifi-woohoo)
-Clean, dry, warm clothes
-other thru-hikers, you not only see them, you can smell them too
-mountains in every direction
-a hint of color coming to the trees- yellows, reds, oranges just starting to appear
-almost a bear, out our bathroom window- innkeeper saw it but it disappeared by the time we got there
-dunkin donuts hot chocolate
-a whole lot less traffic – weekend traffic is gone
-still drizzle coming down from the clouds
-Jerry walking off again following the blazes to ME, so excited to be so far
Sunday, August 22, 2010
8/20/10
Jerry crossed into NH yesterday. We spent on more night at the Quechee Campground. Broke up camp early and dropped Jerry off exactly where I picked him up. That’s the AT way, folks. Careful to start up exactly where you end the day before.
Jerry is in the White Mountains and so am I. He is somewhere on top of a mountain and I’m in a campground somewhere in the notch. Set up the tent again all by myself, I’m still proud of that accomplishment. Not the greatest site but it is the weekend and one of the last ones of summer. This place is hoppin’. Drove around a little today before all the weekend tourist tomorrow. The wonders of nature never stop around here. The mountains, the waterfalls, the sky, the rivers - it just goes on and on.
I must admit that I find it hard to travel alone. Having a co-pilot is so nice, not to mention someone to talk to. Oh, well, I guess this is what signed up for. At least for the time being.
It has turned chilly up here in NH. I’m realizing that I didn’t really pack well for this weather. Forgot to think ahead. I did find a thrift store today and picked up a long sleeve shirt and an extra pair of jeans for less than $10.
Most of the towns that I’ve been through are like mini Gatlinburg’s but that, my friends, is a subject for another day.
Jerry crossed into NH yesterday. We spent on more night at the Quechee Campground. Broke up camp early and dropped Jerry off exactly where I picked him up. That’s the AT way, folks. Careful to start up exactly where you end the day before.
Jerry is in the White Mountains and so am I. He is somewhere on top of a mountain and I’m in a campground somewhere in the notch. Set up the tent again all by myself, I’m still proud of that accomplishment. Not the greatest site but it is the weekend and one of the last ones of summer. This place is hoppin’. Drove around a little today before all the weekend tourist tomorrow. The wonders of nature never stop around here. The mountains, the waterfalls, the sky, the rivers - it just goes on and on.
I must admit that I find it hard to travel alone. Having a co-pilot is so nice, not to mention someone to talk to. Oh, well, I guess this is what signed up for. At least for the time being.
It has turned chilly up here in NH. I’m realizing that I didn’t really pack well for this weather. Forgot to think ahead. I did find a thrift store today and picked up a long sleeve shirt and an extra pair of jeans for less than $10.
Most of the towns that I’ve been through are like mini Gatlinburg’s but that, my friends, is a subject for another day.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Still movin'
8/19 II
Okay, I moved on from Otter Creek just in time. I had gotten the tent packed up and took a shower got in to the car just in time for the heavens to open up. The owner of the campground said that I could sit under his shelter until it let up. At least he asked if I wanted the music on so I could decline gracefully. Didn’t want to drive in the pouring rain since I had no idea of where I was headed except for a town called Rutland. There was a thru hiker shelter there so I called and asked if I might be able to work for stay. They said yes, I thought – another first.
The Shelter itself was above a café that the people owned. Both the café and the shelter were run by a 12 Tribes Community. I haven’t read their literature yet but was I can say is that they were very welcoming. I was shown to the room. Men and women were separated. (Good for me being the first time and all.) There were about 4 male hikers there and one female, so I shared the room with her. There were 3 sets of bunk beds in our room. Things were clean. Our section had 2 showers, 2 sinks and a toilet.
Then I went down stairs to see what work for stay actually meant. The next 4 hours I spent washing dishes. It was a little hot in that room and the dishes kept coming. Another first. They fed me lunch. Brought me a smoothie later in the day and offered supper. I really wasn’t hungry at all.
Early evening I headed to the local library to do a little computer work. Back to the café a little later. Monday night was their night of Israeli folk dancing. No, I didn’t dance but it was fun to watch.
I did manage to find a treasure in the hiker box there – a pair of beat up yellow waldies. I’ve been wanting some camp shoes for a long time now. Woohoo! Simple pleasures.
8-17-10
Happy Birthday, Maria! J
Mee Jerry at the trail head at Kent Pond. Went to the Inn at Long Trail for lunch. Didn’t leave until next morning. Nice place, lot of character and lots of characters. There were about 18 hikers there. We had a really great room. Fell asleep watching the moon come up over the mountain outside our window.
Took Jerry back to the trail head the next morning, which I think was Wednesday. Gave a ride to some other hikers and then moved on to find another camp site. Ended up in Quechee VT. Nice campgrounds. But it is oh so much nicer to camp with friends.
Picked him up in the evening. Looked around the area a little, had supper and hit the sleeping bags. Tonight we’ll be in the same spot.
This morning I found a water lily filled pond – a lake by my standards. Sat there for a while and waited for the sun to burn through the clouds above the mountains. Moved on down the raod a little and found a covered bridge. Got out to take a look and there was a hot air balloon appearing to be just above the mountains. What a surprise, gift!
Just a little while ago I was sitting reading at the campsite and a humming bird flew by. Another gift.
At the moment Chip and Dale are chattering to each other. Hope the van door is shut!
Jerry just called. He is hiking into NH this afternoon. Second 20+ mile day in a row.
Okay, I moved on from Otter Creek just in time. I had gotten the tent packed up and took a shower got in to the car just in time for the heavens to open up. The owner of the campground said that I could sit under his shelter until it let up. At least he asked if I wanted the music on so I could decline gracefully. Didn’t want to drive in the pouring rain since I had no idea of where I was headed except for a town called Rutland. There was a thru hiker shelter there so I called and asked if I might be able to work for stay. They said yes, I thought – another first.
The Shelter itself was above a café that the people owned. Both the café and the shelter were run by a 12 Tribes Community. I haven’t read their literature yet but was I can say is that they were very welcoming. I was shown to the room. Men and women were separated. (Good for me being the first time and all.) There were about 4 male hikers there and one female, so I shared the room with her. There were 3 sets of bunk beds in our room. Things were clean. Our section had 2 showers, 2 sinks and a toilet.
Then I went down stairs to see what work for stay actually meant. The next 4 hours I spent washing dishes. It was a little hot in that room and the dishes kept coming. Another first. They fed me lunch. Brought me a smoothie later in the day and offered supper. I really wasn’t hungry at all.
Early evening I headed to the local library to do a little computer work. Back to the café a little later. Monday night was their night of Israeli folk dancing. No, I didn’t dance but it was fun to watch.
I did manage to find a treasure in the hiker box there – a pair of beat up yellow waldies. I’ve been wanting some camp shoes for a long time now. Woohoo! Simple pleasures.
8-17-10
Happy Birthday, Maria! J
Mee Jerry at the trail head at Kent Pond. Went to the Inn at Long Trail for lunch. Didn’t leave until next morning. Nice place, lot of character and lots of characters. There were about 18 hikers there. We had a really great room. Fell asleep watching the moon come up over the mountain outside our window.
Took Jerry back to the trail head the next morning, which I think was Wednesday. Gave a ride to some other hikers and then moved on to find another camp site. Ended up in Quechee VT. Nice campgrounds. But it is oh so much nicer to camp with friends.
Picked him up in the evening. Looked around the area a little, had supper and hit the sleeping bags. Tonight we’ll be in the same spot.
This morning I found a water lily filled pond – a lake by my standards. Sat there for a while and waited for the sun to burn through the clouds above the mountains. Moved on down the raod a little and found a covered bridge. Got out to take a look and there was a hot air balloon appearing to be just above the mountains. What a surprise, gift!
Just a little while ago I was sitting reading at the campsite and a humming bird flew by. Another gift.
At the moment Chip and Dale are chattering to each other. Hope the van door is shut!
Jerry just called. He is hiking into NH this afternoon. Second 20+ mile day in a row.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Movin' on
Sue’s blog
8/19/1 At the moment I’m sitting by a pond in Oechee VT. The pond, Dewey’s Pond is covered with water lilies as far as the eye can see. The sun is trying to burn through the clouds to reveal the many mountains surrounding the area.
I’ve had so many first in the last week or so. By this age I thought things would be pretty much routine from here on in but was I wrong.First I spend two weeks at Genesis Farm in NJ (I usually helped out in the field in the morning, then they were kind enough to find some inside work for me to do – milling flower, rolling oats, thinning lettuce, etc) and being totally impressed with their long hard, hours. I moved on to join Jerry in Manchester VT. We met at the trail head and went in search of a campsite. The nearby State Park was filled for the weekend so we found a site at a private campground called Otter Creek. Nice place. Could have done without the 24 hour country music being played in the bathroom but it was a good grass covered site. We were there Friday night. I dropped Jerry off on Saturday back at the trail head. Headed back into town and spent 3 hours at a bookstore. Picked up some reading material for the rest the trip. Saturday and Sunday I camped alone for the first time in my life. It worked. Can’t say I was real comfortable with the idea especially on Sunday night after all the other campers pulled up stakes and moved on. But I made it through the night and broke camp the next morning and moved on to…..I’ll have to check my notes.
8/19/1 At the moment I’m sitting by a pond in Oechee VT. The pond, Dewey’s Pond is covered with water lilies as far as the eye can see. The sun is trying to burn through the clouds to reveal the many mountains surrounding the area.
I’ve had so many first in the last week or so. By this age I thought things would be pretty much routine from here on in but was I wrong.First I spend two weeks at Genesis Farm in NJ (I usually helped out in the field in the morning, then they were kind enough to find some inside work for me to do – milling flower, rolling oats, thinning lettuce, etc) and being totally impressed with their long hard, hours. I moved on to join Jerry in Manchester VT. We met at the trail head and went in search of a campsite. The nearby State Park was filled for the weekend so we found a site at a private campground called Otter Creek. Nice place. Could have done without the 24 hour country music being played in the bathroom but it was a good grass covered site. We were there Friday night. I dropped Jerry off on Saturday back at the trail head. Headed back into town and spent 3 hours at a bookstore. Picked up some reading material for the rest the trip. Saturday and Sunday I camped alone for the first time in my life. It worked. Can’t say I was real comfortable with the idea especially on Sunday night after all the other campers pulled up stakes and moved on. But I made it through the night and broke camp the next morning and moved on to…..I’ll have to check my notes.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
On the Road Again
Today I'm sitting in a garden house on Genesis Farm in Blairstown, NJ. Tomorrow I hit the road. Leaving to meet Jerry in Manchester, VT.
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