Local Heros!

On November 27th we had a feature article printed in the Meriden Record Journal, I know it's no Boston Herald...but it's a start. Just click on this LINK to read the article.

-enjoy

Joe's Hole Posse and Family (partial) atop Springer!

Posted by Blake's dad: THEY DID IT! Some of us "outsider's" were lucky to be there with them at the end. (photo flat out robbed from Lisa and Keith!) (as always, click on pic to enlarge)

Done! Done! Done!

Joe's Hole Posse Atop Springer Mountain, GA on 9Nov05! Notice the LAST (or FIRST) white blaze mark next to Mike's foot. Click on any picture to enlarge.



Super T and Don King getting ready to depart Springer and begin the trip north to CT ( by plane and vehicle ).

A bittersweet end to an amazing journey

I have no idea how to begin this post, but I'll try...

In short, our goal has been reached. We have successfully hiked from Maine to Georgia along the Appalachian Trail!

It has been an AMAZING journey. Our experience was far beyond any of our expectations. We have seen and done incredible things and we've made lifelong friends with whom we share a powerful bond.

Every day was a challenge, both physical and mental. We hiked through all possible conditions; extreme heat, rain, lightning, snow and the mud. We stared down the green tunnel and fought off the mental monotony of the trail. Somehow, someway we kept each other going for 5 months and 5 days.


I know that this trail has had a tremendous impact on me. I've learned some of life's most simple but important lessons out here. I am proud and happy to have accomplished our goal, but I am sad to leave the wonderful world of thru hiking.

But for now, I will live in a more comfortable and blister free world.

So many people helped Mike and I along the way and we will be posting a huge thank you message to all those folks in the next couple days. I will try to write more about our post hike plans as well. Thanks for following our trip!

"The soul of a journey is liberty, perfect liberty, to think, feel, do just as one pleases" William Hazlitt

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." Anatole France

Franklin, NC

Mike and I are in Franklin, NC. We did an easy 16 mile day and got a quick hitch hike in town.

Crossing the balds of NC has been tremendous. They usually offer 360 degree views and the surrounding scenery is beautiful. Water sources are plentiful and clean and the trail seems to be without many other hikers in the path. We kind of have a feeling that we have the whole trail to ourselves.

We were sad to hear that our SOBO thru hiker friend 'Spud' is off the trail. Spud, if you're reading this I hope you can get back out and finish up this last section.

The last big milestone was crossing the 2000 mile mark. It felt great.

We should be in Georgia by Friday morning. We are excited to meet Keith and Lisas friends who are coming armed w/ all kinds of bbq supplies! '

One week! crazy!

ONE WEEK TO GO!

Blake's dad reporting: I spoke with Blake last evening (the 1st). He and Mike were in the NANTAHALA MOUNTAINS somewhere between Fontana Dam and Franklin, NC. He reports the weather as terrific with warm days and cool nights. Certainly not the real cold nights experienced in the Great Smokey Mountains. They climbed a fire watch tower at some point on the 1st -- the name of the mountain escapes me -- and reported spectacular 100 mile views in every direction. He and Mike are a day behind Keith and Lisa at this point. Gills and Samoa were in Franklin on the 1st as evidenced by Gills' Guest Book entry to Super T and Don King on this site. Even if the posse is not reunited today, they certainly will be together by the 5th as there is a festive gathering planned at or near Unicoi State Park in GEORGIA!

On a personal note: I will fly to Atlanta on Tuesday the 8th...rent a car and head for Toccoa, GA for a much anticipated meeting with Keith and Lisa's extended family. Some of us will be on Springer Mountain on the morning of the 9th when Joes Hole Posse concludes its Maine2Georgia trek. One week to go.

What a difference 4 months makes.....!

The picture of the posse atop Mt. Washington in New Hampshire was taken on 2July05. The other pictures were taken this past week on Mt. Washington with a view of the montains (in the distance)that the posse crossed in July! Click on any picture to enlarge.

It's Beginning to look a lot like.....Oh, forget it. :)

Blake's Dad Reporting: Blake left a phone message mid-afternoon ( WED )to say that they are 1/4 through the Great Smokey Mountains and that they awoke this morning to 6 inches of snow!! They hiked in it most of the day -- beautiful weather and great views. They are off the AT tonight staying at a hostel in GATLINBURG, TN