Hi MUFaddicts,
I spoke to Hazard on Friday evening (8/21), at that moment they were in Gorham, NH. He said that they would be crossing over to Maine in the next 48 hours. He called me again this evening letting me know that they would (hopefully, fingers crossed) reach their final destination, Baxter State Park, Maine on 9/9/09; thus completing their epic Appalachian Trail Thru Hike in less than 4 months…! (Well, 1 day short of 4 months, since they began their journey on 5/10/09…) They’re down to the wire and because of that there will, unfortunately, be no more journal entries for the moment. I am also sorry to say that there will be no more photos either… But fear not, when they return home Hazard promised to complete the journal entries and we’ll upload all of the missing photos as well. At the moment they only have ‘tunnel vision’ and are super focused on powering through the last leg of their trek.
The last leg of their journey has proved to be the most challenging, but also the most beautiful. Hazard mentioned that the spectacular views of the White Mountains in NH restored his spirit and reminded him of ‘why’ they chose to hike the AT in the first place. As you can imagine the guys are focusing on the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’, they’re incredibly trail weary, but super pumped at finally finishing their long journey.
A funny little side story: Croc, their hiking companion for the last several weeks, celebrated his 23rd birthday last week and the guys (or their packs) all wore party hats while they hiked… 
I love that they still have a fantastic sense of humor in spite of all of their challenges…
If you’ve been wondering how or who will meet our guys in Maine and bring them back home to North Carolina, the answer would be my fantastic husband, aka Hazard’s Dad. He’s planning on flying up to Bangor, Maine and renting a car then driving up to Baxter State Park where he’ll pick up the guys, return to Bangor and fly them home to NC all within a fast 3 day turnaround. Hazard has informed me that I should expect him to go to bed at 6:30/7:00pm at night and wake up at dawn!!…. That is until he becomes reacquainted with the ‘real world’ and leaves his ‘hiker’s hours’ behind… I am only too happy to have him home again and will spoil/indulge him just a tiny bit and then I expect him to decide what he’s going to do with the rest of his life and get his act together…
(Seriously, I’ve missed my eldest son and I look forward to catching up and spending time with him…)
On that note: I would like to give a huge ‘Thank you’ to everyone that’s been following this blog; also ‘Thank you’ to all of the wonderful, helpful, kind and generous folk that the guys have met along the way…
Happy Trails and Regards,
K
Thanks for the update! I’m glad they’re still going strong, and it’s exciting to know they’re so close to finishing.
It’s absolutely amazing how close they are!!! I am so happy that they are safe and almost through with this exciting adventure! Thank you for keeping us informed — it’s been incredible. How proud you must be!!
I have been hiking vicariously through the boys since May. On or about May 19 my hiking buddy, his two sons, my daughter and I were completing a section from N.O.C to Fontana Dam when two fellows in characteristic hats burned past us. I think Spoon gave a “passing on the right” call. Loyal, who was met that week, was able to fill us in on their trail names, and through the wonders of Google, here I am. I remember being impressed with their start date and their location at the time. They have had a great (and entertaining) experience so far, and I know their friends and parents are proud. I wish them well in their lives after the trail and will eagerly await the completion of the journal entries.
My hiking buddy and I (SteakNShake when hiking together) will do the Smokies-Hot Springs in September. We have to still work for a living and support our college kids, so section by section we work north….
Time to put the hammer down fellows. You are my favorite threw hikers for 2009. Can’t wait to hear that you’ve made it. I’m so glad to have meet you and share a tiny bit of your journey. Yours is a great story of friendship and adventure. Few are those who made the trip and fewer still those who do it with their best friend. Do whatever it take to finish the trip and work even harder to keep the friendship alive. If I can be of any further assistance feel free to call.
Your friend from VT
Tim