Hello to all our favorite friends, family, and AT supporters! The time has come to finish this hike. Hard to believe it, but in just a few hours this adventure will come to an end. Crazy!
Here are some things you may wanna know:
1. We got through Hurricane Irene in the 100 mile wilderness by staying put inside a shelter. We watched the rain come down all day long from the comforts of our sleeping bags and with the company of a few fellow hikers.
2. My wonderfully awesome man Doni, has driven to Millinocket, Maine to come day hike the last two days with us and to bring me home. Yesterday we all hiked the 10 miles through Baxter State Park to bring us to the base of Mt. Katahdin.
3. It is just 5.2 miles to the summit today, but there’s almost 4000 feet of elevation gain, so it’ll be a tough day. It rained last night and there are some showers on the horizon, so we’ll be getting out as soon as we finish our delicious bacon (and other breakfast foods), as to try to avoid getting too wet. It likely means we won’t have a view from Maine’s highest peak, but it’ll be magical nonetheless.
4. There is a feeling of accomplishment in the air here at The Appalachian Trail Lodge and Hostel as our fellow hikers have summited or are about to. We’ve met some amazing folks over the last week or so and have run into some old favorites too. Even at the end of the line, this hike is still a game of leap-frog. We’ve traded preliminary congratulations with our compatriots as we’ve made our way through the last 100 miles, and post-summit hugs with them here in town.
Gotta get to the trail head!
Congratulations to you both!! An exceptional accomplishment for you guys, and a wonderful father/daughter experience for you to look back on and treasure for the rest of your lives. Enjoy your return to civilization, and your your chance to sit back and appreciate the things we take for granted every day. Many thanks for taking the time to keep us entertained with all the fun and interesting stories, and the great photos along the way. It was really nice to be able to follow your adventures. Great job! Hope to see you soon Mel!
Hi Click and Long Time,
Reagan and I just read your post and want to add our congratulations! Finally here you are almost at the end of the trail. What an accomplishment! We’ve enjoyed sharing your great adventure and have been with you through the good times and not so good ones too. We’re thinking you’ll be ready for a lot of R & R when you both get home! Lots of Love/
I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it…this is a once in a lifetime experience for you both. Won’t it be great to sleep in your own bed???????
Congratulations to you both – I am really proud to know you.
Way to go Guys, I am with you in spirit, wish I could have been there in person!
Tim
YYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sooo glad you’re so close, A-OK, & spirits soaring
Wonder-ful, wonder-ful, wonder-ful !!
Congrats doesn’t even near say it.
trek on
Dear Mike and Melissa,
Woo-hoo!
Thanks for keeping us with you on the progress. I am very happy for both of you! Hope you’ll keep posting through the debriefing stage, as you relax and reflect.
–Joan
Yay!!!! I’m so excited for you! You are full of awesomeness!
You guys are unbelievable. My little trek up to Mt. Whitney with my little band of seniors is just a lark in comparison. Dad, you make giving away your baby girl pretty tough. Don’t think Mel will ever runaway home after THIS little father-daughter sojourn! Blessings and congrats to you both.
Wow! Congratulations!! Can’t wait to see you all.
Hurray!!!!!!!!! You did it!!!!!
June and Scott
Congratulations Mike and Melissa! What an awesome accomplishment!
FANTASTIC!!!! You can taste the finish from there. We’re glad you weathered “Irene” OK. It’s been quite an accomplishment for you two. Thanks for “taking” us along. I’m really looking forward to your book!
Congratulations! and I’m so happy that you’ll be able to be with friends and family again.
Love,
Zeb/Aunt Deb
HAY I WANNA SAY CONGRATS as well,thank so much for allowing us to share your adventure via technology.
Gee I just did a 10k walk with my church for missions this morning, and I am really stiff from just the little way.
You 2 must be in great shape by now.
And hay Mike don’t forget to e-mail me so we can do breakfast,or lunch when you get back in the Rochester area.
I am really happy for you guys to have accomplished your dream.
Dear Melissa, Mike,
It’s done !!! Congratulation !!! Unbelievable accomplishment !!!
It was so nice to read your dream …
I am so impressed with you two!! You’ve gone out and accomplished something really great and shared your experiences on the trail both good and bad so your friends and family could get a taste of the adventure you’ve been wrapped up in. Thank you for that gift and congratulations!
Wow. This post brings tears to my eyes. Congratulations!
You’re up or down by now and on the way home. Congratulations on this amazing journey’s completion, Melissa and Michael! We were hiking, too, for Don’s birthday with friends and thought of you all day. Ours was steep but not as steep as Katahdin. I’m thinking of you both on your way to your homes today. So glad Doni came to help support you both at the end.