Guess what? The sun came out! All thanks to the Lord for the warmth of a sunny day. We can all use it. The morale is a bit low with four days of no sunshine. I’m not sure how people live in a place that is constantly wet? I’ll take my scorching heat and fires of California, because you know what? Come September through June, it’s pretty darn perfect.

Today will be my final push. It has been quite the journey on this trail. Three years to complete, with over two thousand miles, bumps and bruises, scraps and punctures, poison ivy, a bad spider bite and one twisted ankle. But my biggest fear of all was the itsy bitsy, teeny tiny little tic. Had two on me but never had one embed its nasty needle-sized head in my skin. Thank goodness as that can be a lifelong battle of Lyme Disease and who knows, what else! So, I’m headed out to finish the toughest trek of my hiking career to date and put it to bed, once and for all.

There’s a few big climbs today, with the Bigelows and another, The Horn. Gets somewhat confusing as most of the peaks have a second peak that they just call Horn. Tidbit of info:

The Bigelow Range, also known as Bigelow Mountain, consists of Maine’s most rugged inter-connected peaks. The mountain is named for Colonel Timothy Bigelow, who rose to prominence as one of four division commanders in the Continental Army detachment under Benedict Arnold. In October 1775, en route to the failed invasion of Canada, Colonel Bigelow summited the mountain with a small expedition for the purpose of “military observation.” The entire range resides within the protective boundary of the Bigelow Preserve, some 36,000 acres of wilderness.

The mud, roots and rocks are much the same over this entire length of mountain ranges. But there were a few slivers of views that surpassed my past few days. I started with some cloud cover but every now and then, the sun would part the clouds and there were some incredible views.

While on my stroll today, I met a sweet gal, Grits. She’s from Canada and truly a backpacker through and through. We talked about all trails west of here, the Arizona Trail AZT, Colorado Trail CT (my favorite in US), Wonderland Trail WT, of course the Pacific Creat Trail PCT and the elusive Continental Divide Trail CDT. Grits wanted to hike the CT this year but life got in the way but plans to head south in October and hike the AZT. I love talking trails to anyone who wants to hear me. It is truly my passion and desire, maybe excluding the AT. But today, I could’ve been persuaded. This is truly a day that I will remember forever.

After all my complaining, moaning and groaning, I was able to finish what I started back in 2022. Gosh that seems like a long time ago but in theory, it was only 28 months ago. And here I am finishing up what I started as a thru-hike. In this spectacle of walking to and fro, there are always going to be obstacles, injuries, family crisis’ and you name it, things that preclude us from doing it the way we had intended. As a wise friend told me, we make plans and God laughs! I think there was a reason for this extended time of true refinement. Some things just take a bit longer to savor and my sweet Jesus wanted George to finish this hike with me! He has definitely been there in spirit from day one, mailing boxes, sending me equipment when I broke something, driving across country only to take me to the airport. This man has been my lifeline! But to actually commit to accompanying me to the end, was more than a gift! This puts the icing on the proverbial cake.

As I reflect upon this path, all I can say is thank you Jehovah for being my protector, my encourager, my strength and my reason for pushing forward when it seemed impossible. When I was tired, disappointed, frustrated, or sitting in an Urgent Care Facility, I never felt so overcome with grief or sorrow that I couldn’t walk, just another mile or two thousand more! My heart was overflowing with Gods’ love and grace. So at the conclusion of all things AT, I can say, may our paths never cross again! I know, that’s harsh but my eyes are fixed on another trail, much closer to home. Until then, blessings and prayers to you all and may you always follow your dreams!

The End…

Final Epilogue: When I started this jaunt, a follower of my blog suggested that I read Psalms 91. Let alone did I read it, I had bookmarks laminated with this scripture that I passed out on the trail. Sometimes I would leave them at Hostels, or in the Shelters along the way, some were intentionally placed in others hikers hands or slid into their packs. It was one way that I was able to share God’s love with others on the trail. So to conclude, it is only appropriate to finish this chapter with my personal favorite scripture.

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭1‬-‭16‬ ‭