Sponsors Journals Itinerary Gear List
Friday–November 5, 2021
Trail Day–259
Trail Mile–10.3/2593.6
Remaining Miles–24.1
Location–Beartown Mountain Road (1538.3) to Goose Pond Road (1548.7), then to home of Mike & Carol Whalen and son, Chris, Otis, Massachusetts
Another great night’s rest at the Whalen home. Carol prepared a delicious and nourishing supper for us (me, Barry, Slim Jim, Kitchen Sink & Pooter Scooter). Upstairs in my room I tried working my journal entry but promptly fell asleep!
This morning we’re greeted by another cold (30 degree), clear morning. It’s a short distance, a half-hour drive, back to Beartown Mountain Road. Hiking with me today are Mayor, Slim Jim, Kitchen Sink & Pooter Scooter. Barry has us out and moving a bit after seven-thirty.
As with recent days, we’ve what seems enormous elevation changes, ascents and descents at or in excess of 5,000 feet. Today is little different. The grades are gradual though, the tread friendly, with a few cobby sections thrown in. Progress of 1.5 mph is relatively easy, making for reasonable total trail hours of around eight.
The red and orange autumn colors are all gone now, but the golds and russets remain, bringing an unusual and startlingly pleasant brightness to the otherwise customary darkness of the deep woods. The vistas, from our high vantages may not appear as striking, yet autumn lingers, a pleasant maturity that marks its near end. Late fall with the chill of shorter days–this is my favorite time of year!
An amazing thing happened to me today, one of the most intense emotional moments I’ve experienced in my memory–hiking along in my rhythmic hypnotic-like pace I look up to see this backpacker sitting a large blowdown beside the trail. Passing, I nod, but notice he’s got his phone camera running. His cap is pulled down, a sock is over his face, so all I can see are his eyes. Hesitating, I’m thinking: I know this fellow! I turn to take another look. OMG, it’s who I think it is; it’s Grey Beard, current AT thru-hike age record holder. He’s driven two days, all the way from Memphis, to be with me. I break into an uncontrollable sob unable to contain my emotions of the moment. Barry had hiked in, reaching us just moments before. And there he and Grey Beard stand, the most gleeful looks on their faces. Open arms now, the old Grey Beard & Nimblewill exchange hugs. What a moment, what an intense emotional moment. Grey Beard is such a dear friend; he encouraged me to attempt this long, difficult journey. And here he is. He’s come to join me and to share the joy at the end of this quest…
You are never too old to set another goal
or to dream a new dream.
(C. S. Lewis)
