http://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019BLOG RSSTue, 10 Sep 2019 21:51:19 GMTTue, 10 Sep 2019 21:51:19 GMThttp://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/what-s-nextWhat's Next?I thought, I was going to walk to Katahdin and that would be enough of the AT.  I was wrong!  The trail, the people and AT community turned out to be amazing.  Now, I need to hike the entire trail!Starting next March, in Georgia, with Victory, we'll start walking North! Yes, even New Hampshire and Maine too! ​Tue, 10 Sep 2019 17:48:16http://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/what-s-nexthttp://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/giving-backGiving Back!Only those who have spent time on the AT will understand what a magical place the trail is to experience.  So many people, on and off the trail, were so good to me and the "trail magic" was awesome too!  It's hard to not think about the trail.  I just want to give back to the trail.  So, August 11th, we loaded up a bunch of awesome trail magic and headed to the Whites. Drove to Gorham, NH and selected a place just north of Route 2 where the AT comes out onto a dirt road.  PerfectTue, 10 Sep 2019 21:46:42http://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/giving-backhttp://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/one-day-moreOne Day More!At "The Birches", we had our last campfire and thanks to 2Blade we had S'mores too!  An awesome group of thru hikers and we will all summit Katahdin tomorrow! I went to sleep with 2Blade singing "One Day More!"It's 4:15 am and I can't sleep!  Today, is the day I summit Katahdin and I'm wide awake!Hard to believe this is my last day on the trail.  Nobody is up yet and I quietly leave "The Birches" and walk to Katahdin Stream.  I needed water and made some breakfast.  I waited,Tue, 10 Sep 2019 16:42:54http://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/one-day-morehttp://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/before-meBefore MeA trail conceived Before meGeorgia thru Maine Before meSteady hard laborBefore meBridges and walkways Before me Trails connectedBefore meSteps of stone laid Before meBenton MacKayeBefore me Myron H. Avery Before me A "Dreamer" Before me​Tue, 10 Sep 2019 17:49:57http://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/before-mehttp://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/on-my-backOn My BackAll I needIs on my backTwo feet takes meWhere I want to goOn my backWater, shelter and moreTwo eyes facing forwardThere to see where two feet goesTo discover What's not seenMoving forward step by stepEach step takes me higherWhere the summit winds blowEach step takes me forwardSummits are thereTo see how far we've comeSummits are thereTo see where we are goingAll I needIs on my back!Tue, 10 Sep 2019 16:06:37http://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/on-my-backhttp://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/the-heart-s-turnThe Heart's Turn"There are three things: to walk, to see and to see what you see."Benton MacKayeI’m looking at Katahdin Katahdin is looking Right at me!I feel my heart’s excitement No more guessing Deep in Maine’s treesI see where I’m going nowKatahdin standing tallQuietly approaching Katahdin’s presence You can feel itThe mind got you nearThe heart has no fearIt’s the heart’s turn now Climb that mountain!It’s the heart’s turn nowClimb that mountain!It’s the heart’s turnTue, 10 Sep 2019 17:49:18http://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/the-heart-s-turnhttp://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/small-worldSmall WorldSouth KingsmanClimbing the final mile to the summit of South Kingsman was tough!  Burned a lot of calories gettig to the summit.  It was close to 12 and time for lunch.  I was busy inhaling as many calories as humanly possible when I looked up and saw Whitney!  I said, "What are you doing here?"  Whitney and a few friends were out working on the NH 48.  Whitney I look forward to our paths crossing again!Tue, 10 Sep 2019 21:51:02http://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/small-worldhttp://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/new-hampshire-and-maineNew Hampshireand MaineI’ve walked across your landsWalked through and along your streams and riversViewed your sunrises and sunsets Walked over and through your roots, rocks and mudSlipped on your roots, rocks and mudStood on top of your highest mountain peaksFelt your gentle cool morning breezesBeen stung and bitten by your Mosquitos, black flies anddeer flies Watched bald eagles soar over your landsSlept under your star-filled skies Sat on your rocks and ate breakfast, lunchTue, 10 Sep 2019 16:38:16http://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/new-hampshire-and-mainehttp://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/yesYes!A long walk will makeyou say Yes!Do you want some food?Yes!Do you want to sing?Yes!Do you want to swim?Yes!Do you want to go slow?Yes!Do you want a new friend?Yes!Do you want a ride?Yes!Do you feel stronger?Yes!Do you want more out of life?Yes!A long walk will make you say​Yes!Tue, 10 Sep 2019 17:53:07http://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/yeshttp://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/leaving-the-trailLeaving the TrailKatahdin’s in viewThe end I seeLeaving the trail?No!I’m not leaving I belong on this trail!Had months now weeks Had weeks now daysHad days now hours Had hours now minutes Had minutes now seconds A few more daysSavor the daysA few more nightsSavor the nightsA few more miles Savor the miles Leaving the trail?No!You take the trail With you Wherever you go!Tue, 10 Sep 2019 21:47:32http://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/leaving-the-trailhttp://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/the-final-milesSlowing Down​I do not want this to end!  I'm so close to Katahdin and I can count the days I have left on the trail.  In the middle of the 100 mile wilderness I slowed down my pace and savored the miles.I thought I was just going to walk from Hanover, NH to Katahdin and that would be the end.  Instead, I have fallen love with this trail, the people on the trail and the AT community!  I'm going to have to walk the entire trail.Tue, 10 Sep 2019 16:32:55http://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/the-final-mileshttp://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/step-by-stepPulling MeStep-by-stepEach step closerI feel Katahdin's pullPulling me closerEach stepEasier than beforeThoughts ofKatahdin Daily fill my mindViews of KatahdinCause tears to flowKatahdinIn the distanceStanding aloneWaiting for me!Pulling meStep-by-stepTue, 10 Sep 2019 16:31:12http://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/step-by-stephttp://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/it-s-the-little-thingsIt's the Little ThingsMorning coffee in your tentBlue sky summit all aloneWalking all day alone and happyTalenti container fits inside my cook potCool breezeThe sound of waterMaking trail friendsFilling your bottle with a little trickle of waterA stream bathNutella!Dry socks and dry shoesHot showerDry rockNew ShoesTrail talkWalking without looking downSleepTue, 10 Sep 2019 21:48:14http://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/it-s-the-little-thingshttp://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/changeChangeThis TrailFlows over mountainsAnd through valleysEach step Some easy most hardThe end close?My mind wants changeThis trail Not going to changeWake up!Who's going to change?You are!Slowly my mindChanges with timeLong hard daysNow slow and steadyNo worry and calmThis trailNot going to changeWho changed?​I did!Tue, 10 Sep 2019 21:50:11http://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/changehttp://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/the-white-blazeOh White BlazeOh white blazeI love your sightAlways there Morning, noon and nightOh white blazeI love your sightLeading me toA distant land I cannot seeOh white blaze Silently you standAs feet pass byOh white blazeYour work is never doneOh white blazeI love your sightThrough rain, sleet and snowYou stand guard for those that go slowOh white blaze I love your sightTue, 10 Sep 2019 16:16:54http://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/the-white-blazehttp://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/the-final-sectionEpic Days AheadSOBO Sailor said, "You have some epic days ahead."  He was right!  This trail is beyond awesome and almost to hard to express the right words.  The people on the trail, the hostels and the trail have been the trip of a lifetime!  Everyone helps eachother get to the next step.  Steve at the Hiker Hut, Justin and Melanie at the Hostel of Maine and Poet and Hippi Chick at Shaw's in Monson all have done so much to help hikers keep moving forward!Tue, 10 Sep 2019 21:48:42http://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/the-final-sectionhttp://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/the-setting-sunA Setting SunThe Day is doneNew friends madeSummits climbedSat quiet on topSo many viewsTwo dogs pettedTalked about the trailMet three more thru hikersJournaled about the dayMore trail talkCooked dinner on a rockMore trail talkTeethed brushedJournaled some moreRead some moreI'm sleepy nowAwesome day​The day is done!Tue, 10 Sep 2019 16:13:29http://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/the-setting-sunhttp://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/falling-in-loveFalling In LoveHow Long does it take toFall in Love?20 daysEvery morningThe trail is waiting for meRocks, Roots and MudUp and down the trail goesStep by stepSlowly mountains passThrough sun, wind, rain and painMoutains climbedNow a distant viewThe trail is waitingWill you walk another day?YES!The trail and me are now oneHow long does it take toFall in Love?20 daysTue, 10 Sep 2019 16:24:20http://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/falling-in-lovehttp://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/the-trail-gives-so-muchThe Trail Gives So Much!​Hard to believe the White Mountains are now behind me! I can just see the outline ofMt. Washington the the distance.The miles go by slowly step-by-step and I would not have it any other way!  Seeing the Maine State Line was so amazing and emotional too!  Not sure how I'll feel when I see Katahdin?!  More friends continue to spend time with me on the AT.  Thanks Dave for sharing the miles, sharp cheddar cheese and your time with me!Tue, 10 Sep 2019 17:54:44http://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/the-trail-gives-so-muchhttp://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/july-1st-2019Life on TrailThis is not hike!  Hiking the AT is a way of life and it is AWESOME!  Hard to beleive this is day 21 and so close to Maine.  Currently I'm in Gorham, NH resupplying and will be back on the trail in the morning.  Life on the trail is way more than I ever thought it would/could be.  There's something about getting up everyday and walking this trail and the people you meet on the AT.  We all have one common thread: The Trail.Tue, 10 Sep 2019 16:13:55http://outsidewithlarry.com/at-2019/july-1st-2019