How about a big hand for the Maine Appalachian Trail Club!

 A big shout out for the MATC!

Like most AT clubs, these are the volunteers that make your trip possible.

Do you belong to one the the groups?  If not, consider donating some time and/or money.

Frenchies Rooming House, Monson, ME

Can't find any reference to this; it might be the new(er) Shaw's Hiker Hostel. In any case back on this date in 1974, a room was $7.00.  I mailed 10 post cards out to tell friends and family that I survived the 100 mile wilderness.  Even with mud and rain. 

You need to remember this was 1974 BC, that is Before Cells/Computers.

Monson was 11 miles south of Little Wilson Stream CG, although it might have been a LT.  I don't remember.

Before Monson, I hiked past Jim Whyte's Hideout. Read about this story in Jeffrey Ryan's book.

If you have old AT Guidebooks, his hideout is found on the trail maps, but it was a side trail and I was humping it to Monson.  This is a clip of the USGS 1:62500 map (Sebec Lake, ME) and the marker is just south of the trail leading to Big Wilson Cliffs, where Jim would watch the rail road for a drop of drugs from Canada.  Interesting story.

White Cap Mountain, Maine

 I climbed White Cap MT today (in 1974) and as you can see the weather was perfect.

See the map for the area on the USGS site.  and an air photo from 1978!

Sunrise and sunset on the Appalachian Trail

One thing I noticed right away in Maine, compared to the southern AT, was that in the south, the sun rose at 5 am and set at 8,  But here in Maine, much further east, the sun was up at 6am and set at 9.

On this date in 1974, I saw my first Moose!

The trail was wet and really buggy.

Here is that moose.

 

Liminality in Tourism

 I'll take a break from the AT blogs and announce that our book is now out.

1st Edition 

 

 

Liminality in Tourism
Spatial and Temporal Considerations

Edited By

Robert S. Bristow

Ian Jenkins

 

 

Where were you on Auust 21, 1974?

 Well, for me, I was climbing Mt. Katahdin, the northern terminus on the Appalachian Trail.

It took 3.5 hours to hike up the Abol Trail, and 4 to head south on the AT, the Hunt Trail.  I "climbed up with a full pack, except for most of the food."  "Arrived at Daicey Pond just before 8 pm."

"It was fantastic."

 

 

Oh yeah, this hike was the beginning of the south bound hike for my both ends to the middle hike in 1974.

And here is a map for you.

Unruly Airline Passengers hit with mass fines

 Even Fox News reports on this bad behavior.

"Rowdy airline passengers have now racked up a record $1 million in potential fines this year, a toll of the tumult in the sky as travelers have returned after most were grounded by the pandemic in 2020."

And one major hub, Atlanta, Georgia. is recorded as:

"A passenger was fined $30,000 for an incident involving a Frontier Airlines flight from Atlanta to New York, N.Y., on Jan. 3, 2021. The passenger was allegedly interfering with the flight attendants’ deplaning procedures upon arrival. The FAA said he attempted to gain entry to the flight deck by physically assaulting two flight attendants, threatening to kill one of them, and demanding them to open the door. The captain called for law enforcement to meet him after exiting."

No one likes to have to wear a mask while squeezed in a metal tube flying 30,000 feet in the air at 600 mph, but it is essential given the fact that many people have refused to get the free vaccination.  Had we been good people this past spring and summer, the conditions in the air would likely have been better.

Grow up people.  It is not about your freedom, it is about your family, friends and neighbors.

Remember Red Green's famous quote:

"Remember, I'm pulling for you. We're all in this together."