Hello faithful blog readers…after a 5 day repose from hiking, I have traveled safely back to Harpers Ferry, WV to begin the southbound part of my hike, the “flop.”
My backpack, which contains not only the things that make me comfortable like my toothbrush, but also the things I need to stay alive in the woods, has not made it with me. It is lost somewhere in the world of airline abyss and is nowhere to be found. Without it, I can’t really get back to hiking…
Would you join me in praying for the safe and speedy return of my pack? Specifically, that the box it is in doesn’t split open and spill my belongings all over a conveyor belt when it is found. If the Lord can part the Red Sea, I trust that He is more than capable of rescuing my backpack from baggage claim.
On a more positive note, enjoy some miscellaneous pictures from my off-trail vacation. I have eaten everything I can get my hands on and my body is thankful for both the rest and the sufficient nutrition.
Day trip to Acadia National Park on the Maine seacoast–that ocean water was cold!
Playing with my brother and my graduation present-my how much faster this is than hiking! 
Going back to Nashville to visit my Vanderbilt friends and eat at my favorite Mexican restaurant 3 times in 30 hours. Before my tarp, this was my last residence!
Hiker-sized breakfast with my cousin and grandparents. This was the last time I laid eyes on my pack. 
Playing with my dog who I’ve missed dearly. She will hopefully be walking the last mile of the trail with me.
Not pictured: getting new shoes and visiting Wildcat, going to the dentist, crashing a high school soccer game.
I’ve at least found a dry place to sleep tonight, things are looking up!
After what is well known to be the hardest climb on the AT (although I believe that the hardest climb is an incredibly personal/psychological moment, likely not on Katahdin), we reached the summit of Mt. Katahdin. The winds were ripping across the ridge and we didn’t get views, but the mountain was spectacular nonetheless.
Per my request, my dad brought out his Hawaiian shirt and per my friend’s request I brought out my shiny “toaster leggings.”
The clouds did blow off for a bit on our way down and we were able to capture some views of the trail and the ridge line.
I had to say my final goodbyes (until Trail Days, the annual hiker reunion) to my friends this afternoon. It was quite difficult, but I trust the Lord will put a whole new crop of hikers in my path as I begin to minister going southbound from Harpers Ferry.
Goodnight from the AT Lodge in Millinocket and thank you to my cousin Sarah for the delicious brownies!
I was deeply encouraged by inviting the believers here to pray with me for my friends on the trail-that is powerful stuff!
After a lunch with the ATOM family, I’ve gotten to spend the rest of the day connecting with my parents who I’ve missed dearly. 
Katahdin tomorrow!!!
After paying highway robbery prices to eat at Abol Bridge, I cranked out the 10 miles of the AT that lie in Baxter State Park and arrived at the base of Mt. Katahdin.
I’ve spent the afternoon eating my way through Millinocket and reconnecting with Alan and Mary while I wait for my parents to arrive tomorrow. Goodnight from a full Blueberry at the AT Lodge.
After taking our time drying out our things in the morning sun, we got an even better view of Katahdin: 
The rest of the day was uneventful save passing this pond with a terrible name for the last 20 miles of the 100 mile wilderness.
By this evening, I passed a sign that blew my mind–only 21 miles to the Northern Terminus of the AT. I still have over 1000 miles to go, but my how far I have come by the Lord’s grace.
Pastor Stephen also offered me and a few other hikers Holy Communion-an incredibly special treat for all involved. I never would have guessed that the first time I receive the Lord’s Supper on my thru hike would be in the 100 mile wilderness. However, upon reflection-of course this is exactly where the Lord would bless me in that way!
Tonight we found a great campsite on a beach where I am able to see the Milky Way in all its grandeur. 
I am also the closest to running out of food that I’ve ever been which is a bit frightening at this juncture. However, he hiking community takes care of one another and my friends showered me in ramen noodles and tuna to bridge the gap. I’ve fed many a friend running out of food before, so it was nice to take my turn eating from the hiker pantry.
After taking way more breaks than we needed to avoid having to walk, we finally passed the 2100 mile marker. These are the faces of weary NOBOs ready to be done with the trail:
Even though spirits were relatively low today, I was able to learn a lot more about these two chicks. Both are around my age and all three of us are in the phase of life where we are contemplating what’s next for us.
We got caught in a crazy downpour the last 10 minutes before getting to camp which was plenty to soak us and all of our stuff. What a perfect end to a rough day…tomorrow will be better!
The prospect of hiking 100 miles isn’t all that daunting…I’ve hiked over 1,000 to get to this point. The daunting part is having no way out and no way to get more food until the other side. Hope I brought enough!
Nineteen lonely miles later, I arrived at Cloud Pond and reunited with my crew. One day down, four more to go.
Upon arrival in Monson, I hitch hiked with a sous chef on vacation, ate BBQ (it was actually pretty good considering how far we are from the South), and checked into Shaw’s Hiker Hostel.
Shaw’s is a famous spot on the AT-one of the longest running hostels on the trail. It was here that my friend Swimmer and I devoured a 2 pint container of Maine Wild Blueberry ice cream. I have decided my full trail name must be Maine Wild Blueberry!
Tomorrow me and all of these fellows head into the 100 mile wilderness-the most remote part of the AT and the last stretch between here and Mt. Katahdin.
See you in Baxter!