Georgia to Maine - - Please join me from start (4/1) to finish (8/10) - 132 days!!!!!

Bethlehem, NH
I have completed my thru-hike of the AT from Georgia to Maine; I started 4/1 and completed 8/10/10. I decided to do this thru-hike in memory of my brother Michael and in turn decided to turn it into a fundraiser. All money raised went to the Adaptive Sports Partners of the North Country which gives year-round opportunities in sports and recreation to people with physical or developmental disabilities. My wife Pam and I got involved with this program because it allows us to help people with disabilities enjoy the outdoors like we do and my brother Michael did. Michael was born mentally challenged, and he loved to visit us in the North Country of NH and go hiking. He also loved the outdoors and did many other sports. So, to help others do this and other outdoor activities is a TRIBUTE to him, and an HONOR to us. Many of you have helped me along my journey and donated (follow donation link) directly to a secure website. All donations have gone and WILL CONTINUE to go to ASPNC – nonprofit org to help assist others to hike, ski, kayak, snow shoe..etc… Thank you all in advance for your kindness & generosity, Dave & Pam Smith

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Tuesday – 6/15 - THANK YOU JOHN GUTOWSKI

Today it is hot and humid. PTD started the morning out right by going to this great breakfast joint in town. He was stuffed. Of course to get out of town it is always a steep up. This town had it too. Hard to do on such a full belly.

Ponytail says he came across this pond today w/bunches of brownish colored salamanders. He also saw numerous chipmunks on the trail. PA seems to have oodles of them. Hopes he keeps seeing them because that means less snakes.

Shout out to 5HC's (5 Happy Campers from Jersey) - they were out looking for a special box. They are part of the North America Letter Boxing Club. They were out looking for a clue in a box in a Boulder Field. Dave helped for a bit then needed to move on. Not sure if they found their clue or not. Hope they did.

Dave saw an ammature astronomy place near Pulpit Rock. He also ran into Willey Wonka again. Thank you for the choc chip cookies and fresh apples. Willey Wonka is the father of Megladon traveling w/Tin Tin who are currently thru-hiking the AT. He is support for his son on the trail.

He came across the Pinnacle. People say it is has the best views on the trail in PA. Says there were gorgeous panoramic views of the surrounding farmlands.

Hawk Mt Sanctuary is located on top of Kittatinny Ridge. It is a visitor center. If you go, you are able to see exhibits of Raptors/Hawks that fly by the mountain during the migratory season.

TOO COOL!!! Dave was walking w/his head down (due to all those wonderful PA rocks) and came upon a gentlemen. He says Ponytail, is that you? Dave looked up and it was John Gutowski from Twin Mnt. He was on his way back from FL and wanted to find PTD to give him some trail magic. He knows Dave from Franconia Gas. He is one of his customers that he delivers to. John had tracked him down by following the blog, talking w/other hikers and to some people that were doing some trail maitenance that Ponytail saw earlier in the day. It took John awhile (as the blog is usually a day or so behind) to locate him but he did it! Way to go John! He brought PTD some trail magic. Some Dove ice cream bars, cookies, candy and gatoraide. Perfect! They walked a bit together on the trail while they talked and caught up. John needed to leave as it was getting to be dusk and he still had a ways to travel to get off the trail and a ways to drive home to NH. That was AMAZING that he found him. THANK YOU VERY MUCH JOHN!!!

PTD stayed at the Allenstown Hiking Club Shelter this evening

He did 22.6 miles today, has done 1,229.8 miles to date and has 948.5 miles left to the end of his journey
Posted by Dave Smith (Smitty) at 6/17/2010

1 comment:

  1. John Gutowski18/6/10

    I've done quite a bit of the AT in NH and some in Maine and Vermont. Now I can say I've hiked about 8 1/2 miles of the AT in Pennsylvania. It was a blast meeting up with PTD on the trail. Doesn't get many surprise visitors that way does he? :-)

    Listening to the roar of motorcycles from bike week in Laconia makes me think how much PTD misses his bike. Soon Dave. Soon.

    John

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