Final Letter: 7/3 and 7/4

19.1 mushroomy miles today. Thanks to all the rain and heat (and humidity), I’ve been seeing many different types of fungi — some large, some small, some vibrant, some dull, but all an eye-treat.

I took a zero yesterday, and I avoided being charged for shelter by doing a work for stay. Painting the front porch, cleaning the entire laundry room, changing some bedding, and putting tow-ropes on the canoes and kayaks saved me $50. While I was eating lunch, CrazyLegs strolled in! I was expecting him to arrive in town yesterday, so I wasn’t surprised, but I was taken aback to see him again. We caught up for a couple of hours — he’s been hiking with Marathon, th guy who woke me up in the Shenandoahs and whose girlfriend drove us around Port Clinton. We made plans to meet at this shelter tonight, but they haven’t shown up yet. I’m thinking that they kept going — they were planning on doing the 100 mile wilderness in 4 days; I’m taking 5. either way, I believe I’ll summit Katahdin with CrazyLegs, so I’m content hiking alone until then.

The 100-mile wilderness is a 112ish mile stretch from Mason to Baxter State Park, throughout which there are no towns (no resupply). SOBOs have made it out to be very difficult, but it’s hard to scare me anymore. I know I can pull whatever mileage in whatever terrain I want/need to. At least on the A.T…

My boots are becoming increasingly questionable. Will they fall apart? Looks likely.

Sorry for the spaciness of the last few paragraphs. CrazyLegs and Marathon just rolled in, so we’ve been cutting up and I can’t concentrate.

7/4

27.6 I-saw-her-today miles today. The last few days’ weather have been phenomenal — no rain, cool temps, clear skies. So when I crested the last 3000′ peak of my journey (save Katahdin), there she was, towering above the landscape — bald on top — in all her glory. Seeing Katahdin brought tears to my eyes.

I know I said no more 25+ mile days, but I’m ready to finish. I may pull two 30-milers the next couple days and summit on the 7th — I’ll play it by ear.

The shelter was full upon arrival. One of the hikers brought some bottle rockets, so we can celebrate the 5th of July!

Less than a minute from before arriving at the shelter, I saw a moose calf and its mother cow. My animal checklist is now complete, and I am content.