John's International Appalachian Trail Journal for May-June 2000

John (pictured on left) has asked me, Michael Connick, to maintain his International Appalachian Trail (SIA/IAT) Hike Journal while he's on the trail. As he's mentioned in other pages on this Web site, he'll be communicating with me via E-mail. I'll be posting his electronic journal entries here for your enjoyment.

The International Appalachian Trail northern terminus is Cap Gaspe, Quebec Canada and the southern terminus is Mount Katahdin, Maine.

Trail Journal

Date: Tuesday May 23, 2000

Notes of the Day: Well we arrived at Gaspe in the afternoon and we're running around trying to get permits for parks along our route.  I can't believe we leave tomorrow.  Odds are I left something at home. We'll get a motel near Cap Gaspe tonight.  In talking with Parc de la Gaspesie Superintendent Francois Boulanser, he said that for our safety he didn't want us hiking in the Parc de la Gaspesie until June 24th.  This was due to heavy snow throughout the higher elevations.  Also it was calving season for the last woodlands caribou herd south of Gulf St Lawrence.  There are around 400 woodland caribou left in this herd and they are very protective of this herd.  Up to the last ice age 10,000 years ago these woodland caribou ranged from New Jersey to the Gulf of St Lawrence.  They have smaller racks than the caribou in Alaska.  So we will gladly comply with his request.  We also spoke with Victeur DeChamplain, President of the Quebec Chapter of the SIA/IAT and were informed that we would have to do the road walk from Riviere-au-Renard to Mont-St Pierre as the trail isn't completed in this area.  These folks are working so hard to complete this section.   October is the scheduled completion date for this section of the trail.  Doing the road walk will be quite interesting as a good portion of it is along the coastline.  So we've decided once we reach Mont-St-Pierre we'll arrange for transportation to Matapedia. Then hike south along the SIA/IAT until June 22nd and arrange for transportation back to Mont-St-Pierre to continue the hike.  We found out there is a train that runs from Gaspe to Matapediqa 2-3 times a week.  It's been many years since I've taken a train ride.  My vote is for a train ride, if it follows our schedule.  We also got in touch with the folks about the needed reservations for huts along the way after June 24th.  We'll be calling them first week of June to firm up the dates.  So it seems we're covered all our bases before the start of the hike.  I got a feeling sleep will be difficult coming tonight.  I can't believe tomorrow I start my greatest adventure at Cap Gaspe, Quebec Canada.

Date: Wednesday May 24, 2000

Travel From: Cap Gaspe, Quebec Canada

To: Base of Bon-Ami Observation Deck

Cumulative Miles Hiked: 5 miles

Today on SIA/IAT: 5 miles

Additional Miles Off Trail: 0

AM Weather: 40's mostly rain with high cold winds, fog & sea mist

PM Weather: More of the same

Condition of Trail: With all the rain the trial was in good condition

Breakfast: We ate at a small diner near the park entrance.  I had pancakes, bacon and coffee.

Lunch: Too excited I think I had a few snacks?

Dinner: I was exhausted from all the excitement, so I just had some snacks (Little Debbie & Snickers)

Snacks: Little Debbie & Snickers

People I Met: Eb "Nimblewill Nomad" Eberhart  &  I met 2 young ladies from Montreal, who were day hiking up to Cap Gaspe.  They were ill prepared for the cold rain & winds.  Their memories of Cap Gaspe will not be good ones.

Notes of the Day: Well today is the first day and so many thoughts are going through my mind.  I'm so glad my son, Sean was able to take the time to travel up here and see me off on this adventure.  We stopped at a motel on Tuesday night not far from Cap Gaspe. Around 10 am we had visited Headquarters of Parc National Forillon  in Gaspe and spoke with acting Parc Director Serge Ouellet and a member of their staff, Pauline Patterson who acted as interpreter.  They were very interested about our upcoming adventure and answered all our questions.   Serge had arranged for us to be escorted to Cap Gaspe from parc offices.  Thank you Serge & Pauline for all your assistance it was greatly appreciated.  I had an emotional goodbye with my son.  It was very special having those days with him just prior to my hike.   We were then driven to Cap Gaspe by Park Warden Benoit "Ben" Gagnon.  Along the way he gave us an informative description of this part of the parc.  Ben, thanks for the ride and interesting information.  When we got to Cap Gaspe we said our thanks and headed down to the sea to begin our journey.   Well picture this heavy rain with biting cold wind wearing a poncho.   You fell like a human kite at times.  They have a nice path leading to a observation deck that is within 200' where the Appalachian Mountain Range plunges into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean & St. Lawrence Sea.  Well Nomad and I made our way around the deck and down to the seas.  To say the least the footing wasn't secure at all.  We spent time just looking up at the cliffs and took many photos.  You feel dwarfed standing on the beach looking up at the Appalachian Mountains.  I selected a rock from the sea and will carry it to Key West, Florida.  The climb back up to the observation deck wasn't any easier than the way down.  Back up at the top of the cliffs we spent time enjoying the lighthouse, information center and plaques for the Appalachian Trail (AT) & International Appalachian Trail (SIA/IAT).  The Georgia Appalachian Club had authorized the SIA/IAT to duplicate the plaque they have at Springer Mountain.  Which depicts a male hiker starting his journey north on the AT.  The SIA/IAT plaque shows a woman starting her journey south.  We finally set off following the SIA/IAT blazes through the parc.  The SIA/IAT uses exiting trails in the parc and they are in excellent condition.  The trail skirts the cliffs for quite a while and the scenery is breath taking.  I saw a ground hog, seal, grouse of some sort, and droves of sea birds and land birds within this section.  The trail turns into the woods and our goal was the observation deck over looking Cap-Bon-Ami.  Well the visibility was "0" or less so we opted to set-up tents at a grassy flat section off the trail.  I wasn't really hungry so a few snacks we're all what I ate.  Once my head hit the deck it was dreamland.  

Main Concern of the Day: My head is spinning with so many emotions.

Date: Thursday May 25, 2000

Travel From: Base of Cap-Bon-Ami

To: Near Le Portage Trail that leads to L'Anse Au-Griffon

Cumulative Miles Hiked: 17 miles

Today on SIA/IAT: 12 miles

Additional Miles Off Trail: 0

AM Weather: 40F to 50F mostly rain & windy

PM Weather: More of the same

Condition of Trail: I don't know as the trail was covered with a base of 2' to 7' of snow & ice.

Breakfast: dry cereal & pop-tart

Lunch: pop-tart

Dinner: snickers

Snacks: Little Debbie's & Snickers

People I Met: Saw 2 day hikers just before we set-up our tents.

Notes of the Day: Well I wanted to see snow and boy did I get my wish answered in spades.  Use caution when you wish for something. I have never seen so much snow while hiking.  After starting out at 7am we headed away from the coast and the snow & ice began to appear on the trail.  It was really enjoyable at first but got old real quick.  You see I was hiking in my New Balance 803's and they don't work well in ice and snow.  Before I left somebody asked if I was taking snowshoes?  About half way into the day it sounded like a good idea.  I need to rent a pair someday and give them a try.  What an asset they would have been.   Early on today’s hike I noticed Nomad is a stronger up hill hiker than I am.  On flat trail we are about even, on down hills I can go a little faster than he can.  So we are pretty evenly matched in hiking styles.  Another point I should make about hiking styles.  Nomad’s weight is 160 and I'm 200 pounds.  In following his steps I noticed when he sinks down say 6" in the snow I go all the way to my thigh.  I would try and over step his deep impressions to avoid falling through the snow and it worked sometimes.  We were the first folks of the year to hike this section of the SIA/IAT and were learning first hand what it was like.  In some sections we had to climb over or go around numerous blow downs.  That can be tricky as you avoid falling through the snow.  Actually we climbed over very few as they were large trees or multiple trees most of the way. Following the animal tracks was the way we usually chose.  Hey it's their backyard so why try to re-invent the wheel? So needless to say the going was slow.  At times it felt we were going backwards.  To add to the mix the trail was under water most of the way due to the spring snow thaw.  So here you carefully hiking across a bed of say 5' of snow and down you go through the snow with one leg to your thigh and you feel cold rushing water on your foot.  So you plant your trekking pole into the snow to give you a boost out of the hole and it goes down several feet.  Now try and plant your gloved hands on the snow to assist getting foot out and your hands sink into the snow.  Now just lie down on the snow and slink away from this area, get up and hike on.  Remember all this time I'm watching Nomad footprints as he mostly glides across this sea of snow.  What I need to do is load up his pack with rocks and even up the score.  I was wearing liner socks and Sealskinz socks.  They usually keep me dry, except in conditions like today.  In some areas the trail was clear of any snow, as it was just flooded with water.  In one area I came to the end of the snow and saw 1/4 mile of water up to say 5' in depth.  Nomad was ahead of me by 10-15 minutes and he had drawn an arrow pointing the path was straight through the water.  I was afraid of that.  Well I tried bushwhacking to get around with no success.  Into the water I went at times up to my thighs.  The one good feature here is your pants and shoes get cleaned up.  I avoided the really deep sections and made it to the snow on the other side.  Never thought I would be glad to see snow again.  At several creeks crossings it was a raging stream. 

So Extreme Caution is the plan for the day.  One tough stream crossing several sections of a platform bridge was washed away.  I searched the stream for an easy crossing and found none.  So across I went following all the suggestions I had read and been told.  Well I made it fairly dry and once again I had clean pants& shoes.  There were several lakes we passed and most were ice covered.  I keep on seeing moose droppings but no moose as yet.  Saw some bear prints on one section of the trail.  During the day I saw the remains of a porcupine on the trail.  I need to find out what type of quail I keep on seeing?  When I come upon them they stand still in open fields and only seem to move quickly under ground covering.  I made one 15 minute stop during the day and called it quits around 3pm.  I was whooped.  After setting up my Nomad tent I was asleep before my head hit the deck.  This day was the most demanding I had ever experienced hiking I sleep for a few hours and didn't even make myself dinner.  I make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day.  Needles to say I slept like a newborn baby throughout the night.    

Main Concern of the Day: I did it and I am proud to have done it today..

Date: Friday May 26, 2000

Travel From: Near Intersection of Le Portage Trail & SIA/IAT

To: Flo-Do Motel, Riviere-au-Renard

Cumulative Miles Hiked: 35 miles

Today on SIA/IAT: 16 miles

Additional Miles Off Trail: 0 miles

AM Weather: 40F's & 50F's rain & windy

PM Weather: saw rain, windy & 2 hours of sunlight in late afternoon

Condition of Trail: plenty of snow once again as well being underwater from thaw.

Breakfast: dry cereal

Lunch: pop-tart

Dinner: pepperoni pizza and soda

Snacks: snickers, pop-tart, coffee  Little Debbie's

People I Met: Several folks on road walk late in afternoon

Notes of the Day: Well we hit the trail at 7am and had more of the same from yesterday.  Wet feet haven't been a problem as the temperatures are kind to us.  Everything is wet from the get go.  Have learned to hike on the high point of the snow to keep from falling.  Now mind you this isn't a foolproof method.  So I did some slinking across sections of the trail.  Saw more lakes today.  Also some flooded trail along the way.  Shortly after noon the sun came out.  Yes, this is great news.  After almost 3 days of steady rain we have sunlight.  So after the sun arrived I found myself falling through the snow and hiked through more flooded trail sections.  So as much as I enjoyed the warmth of the sun it played havoc on trail conditions.  Later in the afternoon we had sun showers.  In one section you pass several observation platforms and you can see the road walk ahead to come.  Well I finally was lead from the ridge walk to grassy meadow & the 8 kilometer road walk to the sea.  I stopped in the first gas station and had a soda a couple bags of potato chips.  My how some tender piece of junk food cheers one up.  A lady called out to me in French as I passed her house.  I said, no parle vous, she then said do you want a cup of coffee.  I said yes and relaxed sitting at kitchen table drinking my hot coffee.  Life is good.  I showed her the bilingual hiking glossary prepared by SIA/IAT members I bought.  She was impressed and spent some time going over the booklet that contains over 900 words & phrases.  I neglected to mention earlier that I have used this glossary several before now and had great success with it.  One couple spent time helping me properly pronouncing words.  So this will be a real plus for those who will follow us.  Now a word from our sponsor.  You can buy this glossary on the SIA/IAT web site at <www.internationalat.org>.  Now back to our regularly scheduled program.  So back to the road walk and it got cold again and the rain returned.  When I reached the sea I headed another 2 km to the Flo-Do Motel which is right on the SIA/IAT.  I cleaned up and had a 12" pepperoni pizza and 2 sodas.  Back in the room I was asleep once I finished my asthma meds.  So far I've had no real problem with my asthma.  Sleep like a new born baby once again.

Main Concern of the Day: Will I make town today?

Date: Saturday May 27, 2000

Travel From: Riviere-au-Renard

To: St-Yvon

Cumulative Miles Hiked: 62 miles

Today on SIA/IAT: 27 miles

Additional Miles Off Trail: 0 miles

AM Weather: Take a guess go ahead.  Yup, wind, rain and in the 40F's

PM Weather: Warmed up into the 50F's at lower elevations but we still had the rain. The last few hours of the hike it got bitter cold with the wind whipping at our faces.

Condition of Trail: Today was all road walk

Breakfast: dry cereal

Lunch: pop-tarts

Dinner: chicken, mashed potatoes, carrots, gravy, rolls, soda, and ice cream

Snacks: Pop-Tarts & Take a guess?  Right again Little Debbie's

People I Met: Ubaldine Dea

Notes of the Day: Today was the longest hiked so far.  We pushed the envelope to the max today.  On the road at 7am with the wind and rain in our faces.  This road walk included a lot of ups & downs.  We crossed a ridge and then went into a valley and right back up again.  Saw very few homes just logging roads mostly.  We did pass by the new section of the SIA/IAT that these folks are working hard to get complete.  It got colder in late afternoon and I was thankful to be wearing my buffalo shirt, poncho, EMS Windstopper gloves, OR gore-tex over mittens and supplex long pants.  I was comfortable, but you could just feel that cold with the winds blowing.  I didn’t' take a break till around 3pm.  One of the small parks along the trail had tables that beckoned me to relax.  I was tired so I only stayed 15 minutes and continued on.  The goal was to stay at a motel in St-Yvon.  I was first to reach motel and it was closed and for sale.  It was 5pm and I had traveled enough this day.  I was deciding which house to visit and ask how much further o next motel.  On the left was a very well kept 2 story home with a large deck.  The house was painted white and had Kelly Green Trim.  Being Irish/American this looked like the place to ask my questions.  I knocked at the door and a very pleasant looking woman opened the door and invited me into her enclosed back porch.  I must have looked like a drowned rat.  I introduced myself and she said her name was Ubaldine Dea.  She said there was a motel maybe 10 miles down the road.  She told me to come into the kitchen for some HOT COFFEE.  I took off my pack, poncho, buffalo shirt, sneakers and socks and hung them on the porch.  The coffee was great as was the second cup and then Ubaldine brought out a pie and gave me a piece.  She called it "Sugar Pie" and it was outstanding to say the least.  I told her I was hiking with another man and she let me knew when he was approaching.  I went out onto the rear deck in the rain with the wind and cold and called to Nomad as he passed.  Would you like to have some coffee and pie?  He looked baffled and came right in.  Well Ubaldine fixed him some coffee and "Sugar Pie" and she also cut up some cheese for us to nibble on.   She invited us to stay there tonight and we accepted immediately.  We decided to take her to dinner in Cloridorme the next village up the road.  Ubaldine had a car and accepted our dinner invitation.  We wanted to clean up before we left and she said you can use the tub or the jacuzzi.  DID YOU SAY JACUZZI?   Yup, that's what she said alright.  Well each of us spent 15- 20 minutes cleaning and soaking in the tub.  Kinda glad the motel was closed right about now.  Well off to dinner and we all stuffed our faces and had some great conversations.  We stopped at a supermarket and got some ice cream for dessert and eggs & bacon for breakfast.  Back at the house we did some washing of hiking clothing.  We stayed up later as neighbors arrived and we showed them all our gear and talked about the hike.

 

One question asked was about "Trail Names".  We explained how they are given to folks and then gave Ubaldine a trail name of "Sugar Pie".  They showed great interest with the SIA/IAT Bilingual Hiking Glossary.  Ubaldine is bilingual and was moderating all the conversations.  Well we finally called it a night.  This has been such a special day.  Needless to say I slept like a log

Main Concern of the Day: You got to be kidding.

Date: Sunday May 28, 2000

Travel From: St_Yvon

To: Pettie Valle

Cumulative Miles Hiked: 77 miles

Today on SIA/IAT: 15 miles

Additional Miles Off Trail: 0 miles

AM Weather: 40's with wind & rain

PM Weather: rain stopped around 2pm

Condition of Trail: road walk all day

Breakfast: bacon, coffee and fruit

Lunch: pop-tarts

Dinner: cheese &crackers

Snacks: cheese &crackers

People I Met: Sugar Pie, Jean "Jeff" Francoes Le Breu, he and his wonderful parents run a supermarket in Petite Valle.

Notes of the Day: Well after a great breakfast from Ubaldine we set off on this wilderness adventure.  She's a special lady & I hope our paths cross again.  She'll have some good stories to tell her grandkids when next they visit.  It was cold and raining as it has been since we started on Wednesday.  We passed more lovely small villages along the way.  Hiking next to the sea searching for sea birds, whales & seals adds a different flavor to a road walk.  Each village has its crowning building being a beautiful church.  In talking to locals they said town folks built the churches during lull working times during the year.  The would harvest and mill their own wood and they go about building a beautiful structure the whole village would be very proud to call their village church.  Water isn't a problem with all the streams and rivers that feed into the Canadian Ocean.  Plus with it being cold and wet my need for water isn't a problem.  In the afternoon I arrive at the supermarket we had decided for a meeting place in Petite Vallee.  Nomad is inside speaking with Jeff and his parents about his 98 adventure and also this year’s.  There is no place to stay in Petite so Jeff will drive us to next town and we'll stay there for the night.  In the am we'll either hitch back to Petite Vallee and continue our hike, or hike back and Jeff will drive us back to where we stayed so we can resume our hike.  This whole trip so far has been a reenactment of Nomad's 98 Odyssey.  In each community he stops in various stores to say hello to folks he meet 2 years earlier.  These folks really like this Nimblewill Nomad.  Needless to say he loves every moment of all this attention.   

Main Concern of the Day: Nope not today

Date: Monday May 29, 2000

Travel From: Pettie Valle

To: Madeleine Center

Cumulative Miles Hiked: 94 miles

Today on SIA/IAT: 17 miles

Additional Miles Off Trail: 0 miles

AM Weather: 60's sunny

PM Weather: 60's sunny

Condition of Trail: Road walk through some beautiful villages along the Canadian Ocean

Breakfast: pancakes, bacon, orange juice and coffee

Lunch: cheese &crackers

Dinner: spaghetti & meat sauce, soup garlic bread, coffee, soda & cake

Snacks: cheese &crackers

People I Met: Jean "Jeff" Francoes Le Breux, Gilbert Le Breau & his Mom Annie.

Notes of the Day: Well we hiked from Grande Vallee where we had stayed last night to Petite Vallee as we didn't get a hitch.  We had clear skies and Jeff took us back to Grande Vallee.  It sure is nice not to hike in the rain.  The buds on the trees and bushes haven't really blossomed as yet.  I would like to return to this area when spring was in full bloom.  We stopped for dinner at “Mamie" in Riviere Madeleein,e another spot Nomad had eaten at near the end of his 98 journey.  It felt good to fill up the boilers, with a good meal and then hike for 2 hours to where we'll stay the night.  Once again all the folks we meet along the way have been extremely nice to us.  A couple of folks have asked why I call the Gulf of St Lawrence the Canadian Ocean.  Well I can't see land anywhere along the horizon.  The locals call it St. Lawrence Sea.  I've seen cruise ships and freighters as I hike along this waterway.   So to be different I'll call it the Canadian Ocean.  Oh, the quail I was trying to find out about is called the Spruce grouse.  Thanks to Chris Gorski Webmaster for the SIA/IAT web site www.Internationalat.org, for passing on the correct information.  Well this easy run is about over and we'll soon be back into the woods eating hiker food.  I'll just enjoy this small respite.  Weight loss will happen soon enough.

Main Concern of the Day: Not today

Date: Tuesday May 30, 2000

Travel From: Madeleine Center

To: L'Anse Pleureuse

Cumulative Miles Hiked: 106 miles

Today on SIA/IAT: 12 miles

Additional Miles Off Trail: 0 miles

AM Weather: 50F's Sunny with light wind

PM Weather: 60F's Sunny with light wind

Condition of Trail: Road walk all day.  Walked on the road that is at base of cliffs that plunge into the Canadian Ocean (Gulf of St Lawrence).  The road is very flat and the cliffs are beautiful.

Breakfast: pancakes, bacon & coffee

Lunch: cheese &crackers

Dinner:

Snacks: pop-tart, cheese & crackers

People I Met:

Notes of the Day: The mixture of colors these folks paint their homes really brightens up the landscape on this road walk.  It seems every mile or so we cross over a large stream or river cascading into the Canadian Ocean.  Most of the water is from the continuing snowmelt at higher elevations.  Even at sea level one can see many pockets of snow, tucked into slits in the countryside.  Almost all homes along the way have an out building that looks like a large dollhouse.  Some use it for boarders and others use it just for storage.  These buildings are painted just like the homes and even have the same curtains.  These folks take great pride in their property.   With the pleasant weather today the day seemed to fly by.  We'll stay at a GITE (B&B) tonight. It used to be a school and the owner is a former schoolteacher.  You can see the local fisherman take his 18' open boat out and check his fishing nettings and pods.

Main Concern of the Day: Not today

Date: Wednesday May 31, 2000

Travel From: Anse Pleureuse

To: Mont-St-Pierre

Cumulative Miles Hiked: 116 miles

Today on SIA/IAT: 10 miles

Additional Miles Off Trail: 2 miles

AM Weather: 60's Sunny with light breeze

PM Weather: 60's Sunny with stronger breeze than rain around 4pm

Condition of Trail: Last day of the road walk on Route 132

Breakfast: Cold cereal, milk, toast, ham and coffee

Lunch: beef, gravy, vegetable soup, rolls, assorted vegetables, coffee and apple pie

Dinner: fish, salad, soup, coffee, rolls and pie

Snacks: cold cereal

People I Met: Andrei Ducet from Ste-Foy, Quebec Collecting Monies for Guide Dogs near Mont-Louis as he hiked

Notes of the Day: I finally meet the other hiker folks have been telling us about today.  He's hiking around the whole of Gaspe Peninsula, around 1000 miles, raising awareness and monies for Seeing Eye dogs.  We meet as he was hiking through Mont-Lewis collecting donations.  He had heard about Nomad & I in his travels.  I told him the story about the young lady giving me $5 a few days ago as I was hiking on the road.  Nomad & I realized she must have thought we were collecting for Andre's.  So I gave him the $5 and $2 from myself.  He was very grateful and asked me to sign his walking staff he carrying.  Apparently he asks all that donate to sign his staff.  He's a character wearing an orange day-glow vest with drawing of a dog and some French sayings, a Gabby Hayes style hat (ask your grandparents about that), and carrying a 6' wooden staff.  He's slackpacking and walks along at a 4 mph gait.  I enjoyed talking with him and felt better I was able to meet him and give him the money.  So far he's collected $8,000.  Well, today was a short hop skip & a jump for a road walk.  I took my sweet old time to enjoy my last road walk by the Canadian Ocean.  Still haven't seen any whales.  A strong breeze was blowing and at times the gusts would stop you in your tracks. I wouldn't want to be walking along this roadway during a good storm with gusts like today.   One would need an anchor just to stay connected with the road.  I arrived at Mont-St-Pierre around lunchtime and enjoyed a wonderful meal at the Mont-St-Pierre Motel's restaurant.  You guessed it, they are friends of Nomad from his 98 Hike.  Charlotte & Raymond are great folks and a wealth of local information.  They took the time and gathered information for our bus/train ride to Matapedia on Thursday.   After lunch I did the grand walking tour of Mont-St-Pierre that didn't take long.  I had wanted to visit the bank but it is closed on Wednesday.  At times it feels like I stepped back into the 50's during this road walk.  I remember when banks were closed half-day on Wednesdays.  I'll be getting caught up on my e-mail for part of the afternoon.  I really don't mind taking a light day as we put some miles together this past week.  That's about all for now.

Main Concern of the Day: No problem at all.

Date: Thursday June 1, 2000

Travel From: Mont-St-Pierre

To: Matapedia

Cumulative Miles Hiked: 116 miles

Today on SIA/IAT: 0 miles

Additional Miles Off Trail: 0 miles

AM Weather: 50's with light rain

PM Weather: 60's Sunny

Condition of Trail:

Breakfast: bacon, ham, toast juice & coffee

Lunch: submarine sandwich

Dinner: sandwich

Snacks: candy and soda

People I Met: Sridhar Ramasami

Notes of the Day: Well today we head from Mont-St-Pierre to Matapedia via bus & train.  I'm excited about taking a bus ride backtracking our hike so far.  Plus it's been at least 27 years since my last long distance train ride.  So today will be interesting and different.  We had a drift box at the Mont-St-Pierre Motel and removed the maps we'll need for the upcoming sections.  The bus leaves at 10am and takes 3 hours to reach Gaspe.  Canadians sure must enjoy these comfortable buses with toilets because I sure did.  They resemble no short hop buses back in New Jersey.  We followed the road walk we've been taking this past week and I was like a school kid on a day trip.  I didn't want to miss a beat during the ride.  As we entered Gaspe we saw a young tall backpacker who we believed was Sridhar Ramasami, who is also attempting a southbound hike of the SIA/IAT, traveling towards offices of Parc de la Gaspesie.  Our paths should meet sometime along the trail.  He looked to be carrying a small pack.  We got a ride to train depot and then the fun began. I attempted to pay the train ride with my debit card and their system wouldn't accept it.  I called my card company and they said there was no problem with my card.  Let’s hope this doesn't occur the rest of this hike.  So around 3pm the train takes off from Gaspe heading to Matapedia and other points west.  Canadians: you have very comfortable cars and your observation cars are a blast.  Once again I felt like a kid not wanting to miss anything.  We're passing areas we won't be hiking.  For several hours we hugged the coastline and I still haven't seen a whale.  As we pass these small communities that are in our path many kids and older folks stand by the tracks waving at us.  How did they know it was us?  Along the way we went through a tunnel and at times I thought it wasn't big enough for us to pass through.  You know I really am enjoying myself this day. We still have 3 1/2 hours before we reach Matapedia.  No nap taking on this train ride.  We're seeing more working farms at this stage of the ride.  I just saw about 100 ostriches or emus on one farm.  I held an ostrich egg once; it reminded me of a football.  Spring is in full bloom as we travel southbound.  I'm anxious to see and smell all the wild flowers the forest offers along the trail.  Well I've seen some beautiful scenery today.  This bus and train trip was totally enjoyable.  We got to Matapedia around 9:30pm and stayed at Pete's Hotel Restigouche for the night.

Main Concern of the Day: You’ve got to be kidding!

Date: Friday June 2, 2000

Travel From: Matapedia

To: Matapedia

Cumulative Miles Hiked: 116 miles

Today on SIA/IAT: 0 miles

Additional Miles Off Trail: 2 miles

AM Weather: 50's overcast

PM Weather: 60's partly sunny then rain later in evening

Condition of Trail:

Breakfast: coffee, toast, bacon & orange juice

Lunch: Cheese and crackers

Dinner: spaghetti, garlic bread, soda, cake

Snacks: Cheese and crackers

People I Met: Bruno Robert, David & Sally Le Blanc and their 3 week old daughter India

Notes of the Day: After that enjoyable bus/train ride we stayed up late talking with Pete in lobby at his Hotel Restigouche about our adventure to date.  So it was a late night before we went to sleep.  This man is a wealth of information about the trails in this area.  Up around 8am, which is a late start for us.  After breakfast I took a walk around this community with Bruno Robert one of the local trail developer/maintainer.  He gave me the grand tour and explained his & David La Blanc’s dreams for developing Matapedia into a Damascus, Virginia style trail town.  These 2 young men are all fired up about this and other developments for their hometown.  After the tour I settled in with Nomad going over maps and our intended route.  Spring is in full bloom in this area of Quebec.  Tomorrow we cross into New Brunswick to continue our journey south.  New Brunswick is in the Atlantic time zone so we'll lose an hour.  We had dinner with Pete, Bruno, David, Sally, India and Philip (David's brother) and had some great conversations.  Well the rains have returned to the area.  I've decided to leave some gear/clothes here for the next section of the trip.  Here's list of what I'll be leaving behind:

Buffalo shirt- I believe using the Zephyr will more than cover my needs.

Silkweight capilene long john pants:  I haven't worn them as yet so I don't need them.

Balaclava- I don't feel the need for it as the nights aren't that cold.

Seal skin socks and liner socks:  No matter what one wears they will get wet so I'll just leave these here for now.

EMS windproof gloves:  Using the gore-tex mittens will be sufficient.

Swimming trunks: I believe I can be okay with just the zip-off pants.  So that'll save me around a little over 2 pounds in pack weight.  If this works out okay I maybe calling for my 40-degree sleeping bag and save an additional 10 ounces.  I believe I’ll keep the sleeping bag liner for a measure of safety.  Well I finally will be using Photon's dynamic homemade alcohol stove.  David & Bruno are going to be making them in Quebec, Canada.  Photon, you've begun an international movement for the most efficient lightweight stove. Maybe you should put your directions in several languages?  Well we went over the maps again and it appears we'll be in good shape

Main Concern of the Day: All is going quite well

Date: Saturday June 3, 2000

Travel From: Matapedia, Quebec

To: Glenwood Park, New Brunswick

Cumulative Miles Hiked: 138 miles

Today on SIA/IAT: 22 miles

Additional Miles Off Trail: 0 miles

AM Weather: 40's partly sunny

PM Weather: 60's partly sunny & even had a brief hailstorm

Condition of Trail: Today was a roadwork at request of Maurice Simon trail builder for New Brunswick due to clear cutting along this section of trail.

Breakfast: pancakes, sausage, coffee & orange juice.

Lunch: Cheese & crackers

Dinner: too tired, went to sleep

Snacks: Cheese and crackers

People I Met: Spoke to some homeowners along the trail.

Notes of the Day: Got supplies at grocery store and stopped at post office before we headed back out to the woods.  So today we return to the great Canadian wilderness and continue our journey south. We crossed the railroad bridge to cross the Restigouche River and begin the hike in New Brunswick.  Oh, New Brunswick is in Atlantic Time Zone so we lose an hour.  Around 11am we crossed the Restigouche.  Did not see anything special except some really aggressive dogs.  If you’re doing the road walk from Glenwood Park to Matapedia, I strongly suggest bringing hiking staffs.  A couple of the dogs ran right up to us being very aggressive.  Fending them off with the poles saved us a nasty bite.  I stopped and asked for some water, as the run offs didn't look too appealing.  Folks were real helpful and asked a lot of questions.  It's a long road walk and the last up to the park is a whooper.  It goes up what seems like forever.  Why is it that the last hill is always a tough one at days end?  Just like shelters aren't .2 mile away like the guidebooks say, but 1 mile off the trail and up hill to boot.  By the time I got to Glenwood Park I only wanted to lay down and sleep.  The have numerous pavilions on the grounds so I just put my sleeping pad down and sleeping bag and lights out.  Boy was I whooped.

Main Concern of the Day: Not really

Date: Sunday June 4, 2000

Travel From: Glenwood Park off Rt. 17

To: Overview of the Restigouche River and valley where bench is located

Cumulative Miles Hiked: 149

Today on SIA/IAT: 11 miles

Additional Miles Off Trail: 0

AM Weather: 40's

PM Weather: 60's

Condition of Trail: All big ups & downs.  A tough day to get mileage

Breakfast: cold cereal

Lunch: Little Debbie's

Dinner: Lipton Rice & something with bread

Snacks: Snickers & Little Debbie's

People I Met: Saw no one on the trail all day.

Notes of the Day: Start of day wasn't a difficult trail.  As the day progressed it got difficult and then really difficult.  This section of the trail probably hasn't seen 20 people hike it.  There is no beaten trail at all.  It'll be a few years before that'll happen.  3 locations I followed the wrong path, needless to say they were all ups.  One must be very alert when following trail in this section.  We had a male spruce grouse assert his authority by puffing up his chest, fanning his tail and strutting back and forth in front of us.  After doing his territorial display he headed into the woods.  Confident we would pass his area quickly.  A number of the ups & downs today were shear drop offs.  A sky jump wouldn’t have been so steep.  The soil is so moist you end up sliding down hoping you don't get hung up in a root.  We passed a number of good creeks during our travels.  I made an effort to stay very hydrated all day long. I stay more alert and don' tire as easy when I do so.  The trail near the creeks is mossy and usually fails to hold up to my weight.  I found myself resting several times on the ups.  Over the next 4 days my stamina will increase as we continue to cross these mountains.  This morning the temperature was 36F.  It made you do the 2 step and get hiking.  So far I'm comfortable with all the gear I still have.   I haven't missed anything I left in Matapedia.  We traveled 11 miles in 8 hours today. That'll give an idea of how difficult the trail was.  The area we stopped for the night has a magnificent overview of the valley  that the Restigouche River flows through.  One of the trail workers has brought a bench and placed it so one can just sit there and take in all this beauty.  We're 2000 feet above sea level and the view here would make a beautiful postcard.  Of course I took a picture.  Well, camp is set up, we've eaten and I finished all my chores, it's 8:30pm: time to get some shut eye. Night all.

Main Concern of the Day: Nothing I can think of

Date: Monday June 5, 2000

Travel From: Overview of Restagouche River

To: Ridge before Upper Grindstone

Cumulative Miles Hiked: 153

Today on SIA/IAT: 4 miles

Additional Miles Off Trail: 0

AM Weather: sunny 50F's

PM Weather: 60's

Condition of Trail: Most of the trail went either straight up or straight down all day long.  Add to this a bed of collapsing moss trail base, a good number of blow downs, traversing a shale slide zone and this was the most challenging trail I'll ever hiked to date.

Breakfast: cold cereal

Lunch: peanut butter and Ritz crackers

Dinner: Lipton rice and chicken dinner, bread

Snacks: snickers

People I Met: Saw no one on the trail all day long.

Notes of the Day: The hike was on a bed of moss most of the day.  Try hiking on a hill of moss, your footing isn't secure.  Now add in roots, rocks that are not secure in this soil. A newly developed trail that is difficult to follow, century old trees blocking your path.  Having to bushwhack around these blow downs, onto areas no one has probably ever walked on. At times you hike a ridgeline but the soil is a bed of moss and it's collapsing under foot.  It's similar to hiking on the snow at the start of this hike.  One just hopes they choose a secure piece of ground to hike on.  If not you fall through the outer crust as my poles did all day long.  Going down the gorges was like skiing at times.  I just couldn't get good footing and fell hard several times.  Trail crews have cut out some footholds in certain areas that made passage less difficult.  The trail just went straight down and you were walking on the edge of your footwear for long periods.  During the day I needed to stop and apply duct tape to hot spots that developed.  Some of these stops were to add more tape to replace section that had crumpled up from the hike.  Then you got the ups.  The relief you felt, as successfully making it to the base of the gorge was short lived, as you now had to climb up.  Same type of footing: just in reverse.  In order to keep my balance my nose wasn't more than a few inches from the trail.  Here's a blow down to navigate around.  So you chose to climb over the smallest one and continue onward.  As this trail is so new one has to watch closely for signs you’re still on the trail.  Grabbing roots along the way helps me move up this mountain.  At several tops you have a view of the mighty Restigouche River flowing below.  I haven't seen any snow and I'm grateful for that.  We started at 8:30am and by 4:30pm I was bushed.  We located our campsite and settled into our nightly chores.  It sure was frustrating to check the map and find out we only traveled 4 miles in 8 hours.  One part of today's hike was the most frightening of all.  We're at the base of this gorge and you look up to blow downs covering the next up and in the middle a rock and dirt covered slide area.  You guessed it; the trail goes up the slide area.  I figure to traverse the slide area and at the edge of the blow downs climb up that way.  Well the grade is straight up and the ground very unstable to say the least.  Each time you try and get at foothold or handhold you cause a mini-slide.  Well try and try again and I finally make it to the edge of the rock slide and start climbing over blow downs to work my way to the top of this hell.  As I'm climbing over the blow downs I realize, the reason they're blow downs is due to previous slides.  So here I'm grappling with branches, roots and tree trunks that are precariously hanging on the side of this mountain.  When I finally reached the end of the side area total relief was felt.  After this I have more respect for mountain climbers.

Main Concern of the Day: Not another up, down, or slide area please

Date: Tuesday June 6, 2000

Travel From: Ridge before Upper Grindstone

To: Right now we're not sure.

Cumulative Miles Hiked: 161

Today on SIA/IAT: 8 miles

Additional Miles Off Trail: It seemed like miles!

AM Weather: 40's

PM Weather: 60's

Condition of Trail:

Breakfast: cold cereal

Lunch: lipton meal

Dinner: snickers

Snacks: little debbie & snickers

People I Met: Nobody on the trail once again.

Notes of the Day: I think a better explanation of what I call a peat moss

forest floor is needed.  Okay, picture a forest of mature trees with their

roots meandering throughout the floor, with rotting fallen trees covered in

a thick moss.  Now the soil is peat moss with a thick covering of moss.  Now

to support this type of floor the mature trees roots form a sort of mesh

base on which this peat moss and moss will flourish.  You see this will

flourish until some backpacker steps on it and collapse that section of the

forest floor.  So as soft to the feel this is falling through can be

dangerous.  Just an added joy of hiking the SIA/IAT.  I'm sure other trails

offer this feature also.  So check with the local hiking clubs if this style

of hiking suites you.  Let say this in case you don't understand what this

section of the trail is like to me. PURE HELL.  I think that says it

correctly.  For 2 days now this trail has whooped my butt many times each

day.  The footing is unstable in many areas.  The ups get straighter as do

the downs.  I wouldn't sleigh down these mountains on a bet.  The US Olympics

Committee forbid their members from sledding down these mountains.  They

don't even have sky resorts in these mountains.  Now when all this doesn't

happen why is it that hikers are allowed to backpack these mountains?

Because we're an unstable group of folks who delight in doing the most

difficult on a daily basis for months at a time.  That's the reason folks.

So if any of this seems okay to you than hop on board and hang on to the

ride of your life.  Yaaaaaaaahooooooo!  So today these mountains put

together a show of force that was wonderful.  All day you climb up say 1000'

nearly straight up, walk on the side of the ridge literally on the sides of

your footwear and then climb straight down 1000' to a creek or stream.  So

once you reach the stream that needs to be forded or rock hopped you star

the cycle over again.  Sometimes the dips & rises are less demanding, but

that isn't the norm.  As your trekking up and down or on the ridges you see some on the most beautiful landscape.  I see

droppings for a wide assortment of animals and to date have seen red tail

squirrel, assortment of birds, spruce grouse and 2 eagles or hawks, sorry my

eagle & hawk knowledge is poor at best. Just yesterday I saw my first

trillion fully bloomed.  The gnats are here as are the mosquitoes and black

flies.  It seems so far the black flies aren't real hungry as yet.  Each day

my attire is the same I have a AT bandana I use as a sweat band, white short

sleeve capilene tee-shirt, elite edition of the original bug shirt, PFG

Performance Fishing Gear zip-off legs pants, Bridgedale Lite hiker socks,

New Balance 803's, OR supplex 6" gaiters and my Patagonia Zephur until it

warms up in the morning.  An added feature of the bug shirt it has a cloth

hood that helps keep body warmth early in am and a full size zippered map

pocket that holds ALOT of gear.  I keep my maps for the day, snacks,

eyeglass case, compass & whistle.  I found that wearing the gaiters on the

opposite feet the hook for the laces is reversed and will stay secure in all

conditions.  Wearing them the "correct way" the hook always worked it's way

loose.  One has to search long and hard for a FLAT Tent location along thistrail.  I have more to say so pleas go to page of today.

I'm using the Kurt Russell Nomad Tent (link on my index page) weighing in at 24 ozs and have been quite satisfied with its performance.  My Ridge Rest is working out quite well.  I'm really glad I brought along the Mountainlight 3500 backpack.  With all the bushwhacking I've done I'm afraid my GVP wouldn't have faired so well.  I should explain "Graceful" isn't my style at all.  I use a 10 lb sledge to adjust my computer, now you get the picture.  For example today I got hung up climbing over several blow downs and had to pull myself clear.  This pack hasn't shown to be any worse from these ordeals.  I've only used Don "Photon" Johnston's Alcohol stove a few times so far and the results are amazing.  You can find info on this stove at http://www.members.home.net/d.h.j/index.html

Boy could I use a shower about now.  Too bad the SIA/IAT couldn't set-up places like Ubadine Dea's has in her home along the trail.  Figure 2 more days to reach Kedwich, New Brunswick.  With it staying lighter longer it allows me to do all my chores in camp and usually write something in my journal.  Oh, before I was talking how ungraceful I am; well today I was stepping over a blow down and my sneaker got hung up and down I went like a sack of potatoes. It was a 5.4 on the Richter scale at least.  It knocked the wind out of me and all I could do is moan until I figured out what got hurt.  My right knee was sore as I landed on it, my left ribcage was tender when I took a deep breath and my ego was crushed.  This all happened as we were backtracking after following markers for 1 1/2 miles only to find the trail disappear.  It seems when building this trail certain sections had marked an alternative trail and never removed the markers.  So at times you’re following a false trail.  I'm not a happy camper when this happens and to add insult to injury I got to fall over a tree and go kerplunk.  So as it turns out no serious injuries, just bruises.  I can't till it gets warm to wear my shorts and proudly show off all my cuts and bruises.  You see when you cut yourself, just let it bleed and when it dries up you got a nice battle wound for all to see.  So one of the benefits of a hard day on the trail, you can relax writing your journal and make light of those monstrous mountains you climbed today.  Knowing full well that tomorrow will bring more of the same.  I've lost some weight as my hip belt is fitting much better.  I still have some more to go to last June when I finished my 600-mile AT hike.

Main Concern of the Day:

Date: Wednesday June 7, 2000

Travel From: some forest service road

To: Clearing next to Restigouche River

Cumulative Miles Hiked: 169

Today on SIA/IAT: 8  miles

Additional Miles Off Trail: 3 miles

AM Weather: overcast 40's

PM Weather: 50's with some rain around 6pm

Condition of Trail: more of the same with a road walk thrown in..

Breakfast: cold cereal

Lunch: Little Debbies

Dinner: Walnut & Date Farka with Honey from www.TrailGourmet.com

Snacks: snickers

People I Met: A couple driving on one of the many service roads that dot the area.  I asked them to show me where we were on the map I have.  It was nice talking with people again.  They couldn't believe we had hiked all we had so far.

Notes of the Day: So yesterday we couldn't find the correct trail so we located a service road and slept there for the night.  So we begin today with a 1 1/2 hour road walk.  We locate a connection to the trail and continue on our way.  We're making pretty good time for the first 6 hours when we meet these folks on a service road. The man shows me right where we are and it ain't anywhere near where we thought we were.  We haven't covered near as much ground we thought we had.  So on we go back to the ups & downs and crossing the streams. Around 5pm we come upon a nice fairly level campsite next to the Resticouche River and call it home for the night.  The skies are getting gray so a change is coming soon.  Well, we just get all our chores done including our meals and the rains have arrived.    I had a different type of meal tonight and it was very tasty and filling.  Don from Trail Gourmet had given Nomad & myself a nice selection of his meals during Trail Days to try on our hike.  Well after trying Walnut & Date Farka with Table Syrup From www.TrailGourmet.com, I was quite satisfied and will let you know my thoughts on his other meals & snacks.  We have split up the dinners into several drops as we do the SIA/IAT.  The meal I had tonight was vacuum-sealed and was 4 ozs.  You bring 2/3 cup of water to a boil add the mix except syrup cover the pot and let sit four minutes and then stir and add syrup.  Easy enough to prepare.  I added more so I could soak up the juices with bread.  Hey my appetite is growing slowly each day.  Figure another 10days of hiking and I'll be an EATING MACHINE.  Last year about a month into the hike and I ate a WHOLE 16 inch PEPPERONI PIZZA and 1 liter of soda for lunch and didn't feel bloated afterwards.  I still ate a big dinner that night.  My RidgeRest got beat-up today while bushwhacking.  Not sure how much will be left when I finish this trail.  Everything else is holding up okay so far.  At days end my feet are quite pleased to be allowed to smell fresh air after being closed up inside socks & sneakers all day long.  When I feel a hot spot I stop immediately and apply duct tape.  So far a few hot spots but no blisters.  My asthma has been under control so far.  I'm taking all the daily doses that my Dr set up for me.  Each day climbing these ups I feel stronger until around 4pm, then I feel just tired from a tough day of hill climbing.  Hey, I'm going ask a favor of any one reading these journals.  Would you please send my mother-in-law a Happy 90th Birthday wish?  She turns 90 June 16th and you only go around once.  She is a sharp lady and alert to all going around. So here's here name & address, we call her Nanaand so can you, Eileen Allgeyer - 16317 Commanche Drive - Point Pleasant, NJ 08742.  That would be such a surprise to receive a basket full of birthday greetings.  Well time to get some shuteye-so I can continue to improve my conditioning.

Main Concern of the Day: Figure 2 more days like this and I can have a chance to survive SEAL training week.  Not really, just boasting.

Date: June 8, 2000

Travel From: Clearing next to Restigouche River

To: 243 km marker New Brunswick Trail

Cumulative Miles Hiked: 184

Today on SIA/IAT: 15 miles

Additional Miles Off Trail: 3 miles

AM Weather: 40's

PM Weather: 70's then rain and strong gusts of wind around 7 pm

Condition of Trail: For first 2 hours some good ups and downs, but not as severe as last few days.  Then 2 1/2 hour walk through clear-cut area trying to find trail.  After that a 3-hour woods road walk and then 2-hour walk on New Brunswick Trail, or NB Trail.  The NB Trail used to be a railroad track and once it had used up its purpose it was transformed into a hiking, bicycling and snowmobile trail.

Breakfast: cold cereal

Lunch: little debbies

Dinner: a whole submarine, 2 liters of Pepsi, potato chips and ready to heat meal of mashed potatoes, meat and creamed corn (I love town food)

Snacks: snickers

People I Met: a couple of folks along wood road; we asked directions. Also a young lady at deli in Saint-Jean-Baptiste-de-Restigouche

Notes of the Day: The skies cleared early and once again we have sunny skies.  Having pleasant weather for this section of the trail has been a true blessing.  I give a lot of credit to those who have and will do this section in foul weather.  In the last 5 days I have had to cope with my fears dealing with severe ups, downs, fording streams on logs and unstable footing.  This Restigouche Canyon Hike continues to reshow these areas over and over.  One either learns to deal with the difficulties or they don't.  I believe leaving this canyon hike has made me a more well rounded hiker.  I still have difficulties in certain areas but I now know for sure I'll be able to accomplish these tasks.  So here I am a more experienced hiker who has lost about 5 pounds at least.  So I'm not that well rounded any more.  So for 2 hours we moved along at a good pace and then we hit the clear cut area of say 50 acres and we can't find any trail, blazes, or markers to show our way.  For 2 1/2 hours we vainly search all around the perimeter of the clear cut to see where the trail re-enters the woods.  We can't find any sign of a trail anywhere. This is really frustrating that for no reason of ours we'll need to take a road walk to Kedgwick.  Hopefully this area can be re-marked before others pass through this year?  I've never personally witnessed a clear cut and it isn't a pretty picture at all.  Imagine 50 acres with maybe 50 trees still standing and broken and twisted sections of trees littering the ground.  All the valuable trees have been harvested and on to the next section.  Our quest for wood and their by-products make this all possible.   We then start walking forest roads used by the lumber companies to find a way out of this forest.  It takes following several roads to a dead end before we follow the road that then leads to the small village of Saint-Jean-Baptiste-de-Restigouche.  Before reaching town I went off into the woods by a stream and rinsed off as best I could without soap.  Boy, I felt 100% better and I'm sure smelled more pleasant.  When we reached the local deli I chowed down like a hiker who hasn't eaten any town food in 6 days; the hiker appetite has arrived.  Our goal is to hike to Kedgwick about 20 miles south, where we can re-connect with the SIA/IAT.  Once we start heading south we noticed the NB(New Brunswick) Trail headed in direction of Kedgwick so we'll take the trail walk instead of a road walk and miss all those pleasant dogs.  We traveled maybe 5 miles and find an open field to call home, that just so happens to be 500' from a spring.  So we start our standard fire.

Main Concern of the Day: I bid the Restigouche Canyon a fond farewell, you have taught me much!

Date: Friday June 9, 2000

Travel From: 243 km marker New Brunswick Trail

To: NB Trail in Kedgwick

Cumulative Miles Hiked: 193

Today on SIA/IAT: 9 miles

Additional Miles Off Trail: 2

AM Weather: heavy rain and strong winds till 6am, then sunny with strong winds in the 50's

PM Weather: sunny with gusting winds in the 70's

Condition of Trail: New Brunswick Trail called NBTrail is a train route converted into hiking, bicycle and snow mobile path.  Well maintained and level.

Breakfast: cold cereal, then potatoes, bacon, coffee, toast and homemade jellies at Mom's B&B

Lunch: chops, potatoes, carrots, bread and soda

Dinner: fiddleheads, rice with sauce and cream puff pie

Snacks: Fruit, candy and soda

People I Met: The Pallot & Simon Family: Maurice Simon, Anne Marie Pallot, Fannie Simon 8 years old and Jerome Simon 3 years old

Notes of the Day: Had heavy rains & winds all night long then it began to clear around 6am.  Packed up and headed to Kedgwick for a enjoyable visit with Pallot & Simon Family.  Maurice is a SIA/IAT trail builder and maintainer in New Brunswick.  About 3 miles into the journey I crossed Route 17 and there was Mom's B&B right on the corner, begging me to stop in for a cup of coffee and maybe some hot breakfast.  So I've learned not to overlook these callings.  In I go & there is Nomad already eating as he left camp before I did.  I was introduced to Diana Bolduc, who runs Mom's B&B 8760 Route 17 White Brook, NB E8B 1Z6 and prefers going by the name: :”Mom".  Only Nomad & I were seated as the 8 bear hunters from Buffalo, NY had already eaten & were out somewhere.  She fed us well and we had enjoyable conversation on an array of subjects.  With belly full we headed off to Kedgwick, about 6 miles down the NB Trail.  A short distance down the trail Maurice arrives to greet us and we had a good conversation and decided to hike onto to his house and then do some much needed chores like a SHOWER & CLOTHES WASHING.  We meet Anne Marie and we were treated to a wonderful filling lunch. We then visited Suzanne Bailey one of the editors of the SIA/IAT Bilingual Hiking Glossary and told her of the enjoyment folks have expressed when we're used this glossary so far.  Then, off to run some errands and back to Maurice & Anne Marie's home to meet their children Fannie and Jerome.  Both are beautiful children and very well behaved.  They prepared us an excellent dinner and I finally washed my clothes & took my shower.  It sure felt good to be squeaky clean once again.  Well we sort of sat around talking about the upcoming trail and really relaxed.  Nomad got some sad news that a friend of many years had passed away.

Main Concern of the Day: All will be well in time!

Date: Saturday June 10, 2000

Travel From: Kedgwick

To: NB 180 near 5 Fingers

Cumulative Miles Hiked: 210

Today on SIA/IAT: 17 miles

Additional Miles Off Trail: 0

AM Weather: 40F's strong gusting winds with overcast skies

PM Weather: 40's strong gusting winds with mostly overcast skies and light rain in evening

Condition of Trail: Today was a road walk

Breakfast: coffee, toast & bacon

Lunch: 2 peanut butter sandwiches

Dinner: soda, salad, cole slaw and cipaille

Snacks: semi-sweet chocolate bars

People I Met: