Franklin N.C.

I am in Franklin North Carolina this evening and glad to be here as the rain pours down and has all day.  We have been through snow, hail, really strong winds, rain and little sun so far since Springer Mt.  But I am enjoying every day despite the weather.  Having a grand time with old friends and making new ones that I hope I will see again and that they all make it to Katahdin.  Sorry to say that one friend, Gypsy Girl, broke her foot the other day and may not make it this year.  Will add pictures when I can as I have some great ones. 

First goal completed

Well the first goal has been met, went to Norfolk and saw Charlsey graduate.  I had a great four day visit with her.  Ate a lot of GREAT vegetarian food and drank some wine with her.  I am very proud of her accomplishments so far and know that she will get her wings very fast.  I have faith. 

I am now at the Hiker Hostel and will be at Springer Mt. tomorrow and hopefully Gooch shelter for the night.  It is supposed to be nice weather which will be a treat.  Today, Bronco and I had some time to spare and did some trail magic for about 25 hikers.  It was great to give back a little and I know how much it is appreciated.  We then went to Neel's Gap and I got to visit with a lot of friends including Lumpy and Bear Paw.  Hoping Cool Breeze will be there when I hike in as he was a real support when I started last  year. 

Will post more the next time I am in town and near a computer.

Happy Trails

Goals for 2010

I am happy to report that I have lots of goals for the year whether or not they all are attained will be interesting.  They are as follows:

• Start a new blog (done!)
• Go to see my daughter graduate school, go Charlsey!
• Go back to Springer, March 20, and yes start hiking back north at least as far as Fontana Dam.  But I am thinking of going farther as I have no other goal holding me from the trail until mid-May.
• Go to Trail Days, Damascus, VA to see friends
• Begin my Americorps tour (not sure if tour is the right word) in Maine.  If I am accepted, I will be working outside doing trail maintenance, state park projects.  I look forward to the opportunity to give back to the state of Maine and the environment.
• Mid-August - return to Canada to complete the Long Trail.  In case you don't know I attempted this last late September and ran into snow and ice.  I fell 6 times in the course of one day and hurt my knee.  I knew that I had to make a choice to either get off the trail or attempt the highest peak in Vt. (Mansfield) and become someone else's problem when I needed rescueing.  I cried all day but knew in my heart that I had to do as I say and do the right thing.  I called my uncle and asked to be picked up.  I was very sad at the failure but am ready to take on the challenge this year and know that I will succeed.

• If all goes right, everyone keep their fingers crossed please, in October, I will be headed to Antarctica to work.  During a seminar at my last place of employment I was asked once what to you want to do in life?  I immediately replied that I wanted to make a difference in the world and I truly do.  I really want this job to support the science that is going on there to make a difference, to prove things are happening in our environment and we need to be aware of those changes and start changing our ways before it is too late. 
• Get a penguin tattoo if I get to go to Antarctica.

That is enough goals for one year, what do you think?