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.

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….

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.

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!

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……..

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.

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!

Following The Star

today to Bethlehem, NH.
To Meadowstone Farm - to wwoof.
And the sun is shinning - first time in three days. Yea!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.