"His house was perfect,...

...whether you liked food, or sleep, or work, or story-telling, or singing, or just sitting and thinking best, or a pleasant mixture of them all."
-Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit about Rivendell


June 23, 2001


I raced to Monson.

from left: Keith Shaw, Sr.; Keith (me) with fanny pack; Keith Shaw, Jr.

Shaw's rocked!  I had 2 thighs, 2 legs, 4 bread, plate o' green beans, and half a plate o' carrots, milk, 3 brownies.  Laundry and shower were free.  


I didn't mention that I also had Keith Shaw Sr.'s famous 5 by 5 breakfast: 5 eggs, 5 bacon strips, 5 sausages, 5 helpings of potatoes, and 5 pancakes.  I ate it all with no problem (and orange juice as well).


Keith Shaw was 71 and his son's name is Keith.  I got real confused sometimes.  I met a couple called Jean and Comer going north.  They had some great stories.  Other northbounders: Sweeper, Arthur, Lindy, Mellow Yellow.  


I hadn't talked to my parents since I left them at 5:20 am on June 12, 2001 to board a Greyhound bus (besides a phone message I left on June 15).

That's 11 days.


It was nice calling Mom and Dad 2 days early.  They were pleased.


The 100 Mile Wilderness and Katahdin were conquered, challenges that Northbounders look ahead to their whole hike, wondering if they will be prepared to face them.

Both were checked off for me.

However, I had plenty of challenges ahead: the infamous Mahoosic Notch mile, the Presidential's weather, and the half-gallon challenge to name a few.