AT 154 - 29th August [168.9]

Terrapin Hostel -Kingsfield. 

So much for sunset or sunrise, clouds came in and stayed till late morning. Climbed my last 4k peak and headed downhill (mostly) to a shuttle at 3pm on long falls dam road to get to Terrapin hostel. Resupply and shower and dinner. All restaurants were closed Tuesday so had to do with a sub and beer. 

Thought for the day 

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Habakkuk Rejoices in the LORD

Though the fig tree should not blossom,

        nor fruit be on the vines,

    the produce of the olive fail

        and the fields yield no food,

    the flock be cut off from the fold

        and there be no herd in the stalls, 

yet I will rejoice in the LORD;

 I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 

 GOD, the Lord, is my strength;

  he makes my feet like the deer’s;

  he makes me tread on my high places.

How did this man still praise when so much reason not to might happen. What about you and me. What if we loose our job or the house is repossessed. What if we fall ill or bereavement comes. 

I’m getting to that point but not fully there yet. 

Swim #37

AT 153 - 28th August [180.4]

 

Bigelows Col Campsite. 

Another great breakfast and then shuttle back to AT. Last 4K mountain today and tomorrow. Bigelow west peak was beautiful. Sun was out so you could see for miles, Katahdin is meant to be able to be seen. Far distance was a bit hazy so not sure if I saw it. Plenty of time to see it up close and personal. Camping on the col  between the two peaks 3.8K so it could be cold tonight. Hope to get sunset or sunrise. 

Thought for the day 

Isaiah 42 is predicting the coming Messiah (Jesus) and contains a lovely verse (3)

Isaiah 42:3

a bruised reed he will not break,

        and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;

        he will faithfully bring forth justice.

God has the right to totally sweep aside broken reeds and to snuff out a useless non function wick but the great news is that His plans are different. He is the healer and restorer that can fix the bruises and brokenness of our lives. He can fan into flame the weakest smouldering soul. If you are feeling low and useless, it’s not terminal. God is in the business of restoration and rebirth. Turn to him now and be reignited for His service.  Philippians might help. 

Philippians 4:5b-7

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

AT 152 - 27th August [Zero day]

 

Stratton Motel. (Alone again)

Slept in till 6. Had a great breakfast at hostel, met loads of trail mates. Came back to motel and I packed food and backpack, Jason packed for back home journey. Matt & Mandy & Bea arrived at 10:45. We had 1st or 2nd breakfast at Looney Moose cafe. On way back we talked to volunteer fire fighters and got a tour of fire station. Bea got a sticker and toy fire persons hat. We went to Flagstaff lake for a paddle with Bea and then lunch in Brickyard Hollow brewery. Everyone then left in different directions, J and Matt to Boston for flight home, Mandy and Bea to home. I’m all alone again for 14 days till I reach Katahdin. 

Thought for the day. 

Luke 23:39-43

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

I was blessed listening to our church service from home. The conclusion was there is only one way to come to Jesus, know the sins we have committed and are guilty of death, coming in our need and accepting his salvation. 

Full sermon 

https://m.youtube.com/live/l2Tl17rUk0s?feature=share

AT 151 - 26th August [188.4]

 

Stratton Motel. (With Jason)

Rained overnight so tent wet. Jason dropped his tent back to the car so he is slack packing over two 4K Crocker mountains. We got to Route 27 and rang shuttle who took us to car. Because the road was so bumpy I rode back to town with shuttle driver and Jason drove car to motel. Nice to have a shower and dry out. We had the tents out drying but didn’t notice the rain so they are even wetter now. Hope the sun comes out. Nice to have time with Jason. 

AT 150 - 25th August [196.7]

 

AT campsite near trailhead. 

Another amazing day. 2000 miles done, less than 200 to go, 150 days traveled, 64 years of age, it’s crazy, I can’t believe it. 

It started raining at midnight and still raining at breakfast. I stayed in shelter till 11 since it is only a short way to campsite. It was an amazing cliff to climb down to get to camp. I setup my tent and was going to head down to meet Jason but he arrived. He hikes in BBQ and deckchairs, deer steaks and hot dogs, salads and sweetcorn, beer and soft drinks. Vanilla joined us for dinner. I’d hiked with Vanilla back along the trail. We hiked the BBQ back to the car to save time tomorrow. We have two 4k mountains to get over tomorrow then into town for a real bed. 

Thought for the day. 

As I had time this morning I had extra time to read and reflect. One reading was about the ten lepers who were healed by Jesus. The reflection went on to say. 

“Only one leper returned to thank Jesus. I don’t want to be like the other nine. I need to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. My culture pushes me to focus on what I don’t have; a lifestyle of gratitude helps me to focus on what I do have. I want to break the hold of consumerism on my life by cultivating gratitude, giving thanks to Jesus on a regular basis for the life He has given me.”

The AT has taught me that you don’t need much to live and be content. I love the way it expressed the “culture of gratitude”. Let’s wake up and worship for all the good things God has provided for us, especially his Son. 

Another expression I read today was “the symphony of nature”. I’m certainly hearing, seeing and smelling that symphony of nature every day. Again it make we worship. 

AT 149 - 24th August [201.9]

 

Spaulding Mountain Lean to 

Another relaxing day. One down and up, then arrived at shelter at lunch time. In the past I would have pushed on but today I relaxed and rested. Alone again in the shelter tonight but it is so peaceful. I lit a fire to cook marshmallows but also to keep the mosquitoes away. They haven’t been bad recently. I think it’s the cold weather. It’s defo changed and got a lot colder at night. Hat and jumper needed but not the fluffy jacket yet. Meeting Jason tomorrow night for a hike together on Saturday. A few 4K mountains to test him. I had a swim # 36 tonight and the water is also colder. 

Thought for the day 

There was a beautiful waterfall today and as I watched the water tumble down I thought of the grace of God. It never ends, it flows over us every day. 

Lamentations 3:22-24

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;

 his mercies never come to an end; 

 they are new every morning;

 great is your faithfulness. 

  “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,

   “therefore I will hope in him.”

Someone had a bad day. 

AT 148 - 23rd August [209.9]

 

Poplar Ridge Lean to

I was getting a little depressed with southern Maine being so hard. Once the Whites were done I thought it would get easier, but it doesn’t. Also everyone is saying you are nearly there but it’s still 200 miles!!! That’s walking from Dublin to Killarney!!! So I decided to cut the hike distance per day and enjoy the remainder as I was up to this point. Today felt different, maybe it was because the sun came out but was able to worship in the beauty of the sights. The trail was still tough but I was not under pressure. Got to shelter early and setup bed and was able to relax and not feel I had to do more miles.  The tenting spaces were not great and shelter is small and a group of 11 turned up. 6 of us in the shelter which is cosy.!!!