While out and about I received this text from Brett:
Tough days. I have broken part of my foot from a trip and fall. Will update when I have service where I can make a call, but it may be a while.
Later, I received this e-mail:
Feel better from being sick--100 percent recovered. However, I took a fall and think I have broken a part in my foot. It's totally black, and I can barely get a shoe on. I am making slow progress but still going. I have been hiking with Coconut and her dad since we have met up again. No cell reception anywhere. I am slow but still pushing on. Thinking around the 20th.
Nothing like having bad news with no way of talking to Brett!
Showing posts with label email. Show all posts
Showing posts with label email. Show all posts
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
(7/15/12-718/12) White Mountains, NH (E-mails)
Sun. 7/15/12 E-mail:
What is your parents' address? I need to get another pack sent to them.
[This would be his third backpack!]
Wed. 7/18/12 E-mail:
I should summit Washington tomorrow am. No cell coverage at all. I am thinking of having you pick me up late this weekend. I will finish the Whites by then.
What is your parents' address? I need to get another pack sent to them.
[This would be his third backpack!]
Wed. 7/18/12 E-mail:
I should summit Washington tomorrow am. No cell coverage at all. I am thinking of having you pick me up late this weekend. I will finish the Whites by then.
(Wed. 7/11/12) Smarts Mountain, NH (E-mail/Phone Update)
I got an e-mail from Brett on Wed. 7/11/12:
I am unable to call. I should be in Glencliff, NH tomorrow early afternoon. It should be about 2.5 hrs away. What time will you be able to be there? I will need long john bottoms, wool long sleeve shirt, down jacket, and clothes to wear for the day.
Brett called me late that night from the top of a fire tower where he had some reception. I believe it was the fire tower on Smarts Mountain. Brett said he was there alone, sleeping on top of the tower. The wind had woken him up and he was a little cold. That was when he decided to call, knowing that I would still be awake. I had just flown in to New England from Utah and was still getting settled though it was almost midnight. Brett said he would be in Glencliff, NH the next day. We made arrangements for me to meet up with him.
The next morning, Thu. 7/12/12, everyone here slept in. The boys were still asleep at 10am. I ended up taking too long to unpack from my trip, to pack what I needed to take to Brett, and get ready to go. I spent too long talking to my mom and figuring out my route to the Whites. I ended up leaving about two hours later than I had planned with Brett. Brett called to check on my status, heard that I had only just left, and suggested that I go back home and we would find another place to meet up. Needless to say, we were both disappointed.
Brett continued hiking through the White Mountains. The Whites are one of the most difficult sections on the trail. I think that Brett decided to just keep pushing forward through the Whites with a plan to meet up with me when he finished.
I am unable to call. I should be in Glencliff, NH tomorrow early afternoon. It should be about 2.5 hrs away. What time will you be able to be there? I will need long john bottoms, wool long sleeve shirt, down jacket, and clothes to wear for the day.
Brett called me late that night from the top of a fire tower where he had some reception. I believe it was the fire tower on Smarts Mountain. Brett said he was there alone, sleeping on top of the tower. The wind had woken him up and he was a little cold. That was when he decided to call, knowing that I would still be awake. I had just flown in to New England from Utah and was still getting settled though it was almost midnight. Brett said he would be in Glencliff, NH the next day. We made arrangements for me to meet up with him.
The next morning, Thu. 7/12/12, everyone here slept in. The boys were still asleep at 10am. I ended up taking too long to unpack from my trip, to pack what I needed to take to Brett, and get ready to go. I spent too long talking to my mom and figuring out my route to the Whites. I ended up leaving about two hours later than I had planned with Brett. Brett called to check on my status, heard that I had only just left, and suggested that I go back home and we would find another place to meet up. Needless to say, we were both disappointed.
Brett continued hiking through the White Mountains. The Whites are one of the most difficult sections on the trail. I think that Brett decided to just keep pushing forward through the Whites with a plan to meet up with me when he finished.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
(Tue. 5/29/12) Duncannon, PA - E-mail From Brett
I am past Duncannon in another shelter as a big thunderstorm is in for the evening. I have poison ivy on my arm. The weather is the hottest that it has been so far for the last few days. It is hot even for the Florida boy. Water has been scarce. I am carrying a lot of extra weight, because I do not want to run out. I miss you, it seems like more each day. It feels like it has been so long since I have seen you--much longer than it has felt for you, because time goes by slower on the trail. I know your birthday is coming up. I never know if I will have service the next day, so happy birthday if I do not have service. I do not know what town I will be in next, but I will figure it out in a day or two and let you know my plan.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
(Tue. 5/22/12) ?, PA - Becca/Brett Exchanges
5/22/12 Text from Becca to Brett:
Sitting at the ball field thinking of you. Will try to type our family news soon. Sorry it's been a while. Wrens left the nest today. Miss you when I watch them. Hope to talk to you soon. Love you!
5/22/12 Text from Brett to Becca:
Crossed into PA today and left the comfort of the south. I was also thinking that I really do miss you. The past two days have been solid rain. I want to dry out. Dry is a feeling that I take for granted when I am at home.
5/21/12 E-mail from Becca to Brett:
Sitting at the ball field thinking of you. Will try to type our family news soon. Sorry it's been a while. Wrens left the nest today. Miss you when I watch them. Hope to talk to you soon. Love you!
5/22/12 Text from Brett to Becca:
Crossed into PA today and left the comfort of the south. I was also thinking that I really do miss you. The past two days have been solid rain. I want to dry out. Dry is a feeling that I take for granted when I am at home.
5/21/12 E-mail from Becca to Brett:
Brett, I was just looking through the book and noticed this description of Pine Grove General Store (1095.6 mi., “home of the half gallon challenge”):
“open 7 days Labor day to Memorial Day….”
First of all, I think it is supposed to say “…Memorial Day to Labor Day….” My concern is this: are you going to get there before Memorial Day [next Monday, 5/29/12]? And will they be open?
5/22/12 Email from Brett to Becca:
I have heard that they are open. If not I will do my challenge at Don's house. I should be there this weekend. If you could, get a list of dentists around Carlisle PA that take our insurance. My tooth is beginning to hurt again. But not worse than my feet right now. Two days of rain and walking with soaked shoes makes all the feet soft and wore three or four blisters today. But I am a few days from hopefully getting everything clean and dry.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
(Sat. 5/5/12) Montebello, VA - Email Update From Brett
I am at Dutch Haus B&B. No cell service, but I have Internet. I should be in Waynesborough on Tuesday. I have a new backpack being sent there. I am just about done with the Blue Ridge Pkwy. There is no way that we could have worked out a way for Dad to meet me. It was just not what I thought it would be.
I am having some medical issues that I am worried about but will talk to you about those later. I am in for a good rest today and should be back on the trail tomorrow afternoon. Things are still going well. Once I get to Shenandoah NP it is rumored that the terrain will get easier. I am looking forward to that.
I may not be out of the so-to-say "blues," but I do feel better again about what I am doing. I do believe that I can do this. It is just tough and somewhat monotonous. Someone I was talking to a few days ago said something to me like, "Either you think it is worth the effort [and tough it out] or you go home. It is that simple." I thought that was a good way to put it simply. It really is that easy of a choice. I know it is worth the struggle. I am the one who is making myself climb this stupid hill and cuss it the whole way. I am deciding to do this, and I can decide to quit whenever I want to. I know that it is worth the effort. What is keeping me going right now is that it will get easier soon.
I am still taking pictures, but I have to say they are tapering off, because there is not as much to see. Anything that is worthwhile I do take a picture of.
I crossed the James River the other day and was told that it was a tradition for a thru hiker to jump off the bridge. So I had to do that twice. The first time I had to see if I would survive, and the second time I jumped to get it on video to show everyone else how stupid I am. It would be like jumping off the top of Shalimar Bridge. Scary as hell to actually let go of the rail the first time. Then it was fairly easy. Gravity took over and did the rest. The water was cold but felt refreshing after a few.
We have had a few 90 degree days. It really takes a toll on hiking up hills. I think I came close to drinking 3 gallons of water the other day, and I really did not pee much.
I should be able to call in a few days. Until then, love you Hun.
Email from Brett later in the day:
If the scale here is right, I am now below 200 pounds. That is over 40 pounds lost.
I am having some medical issues that I am worried about but will talk to you about those later. I am in for a good rest today and should be back on the trail tomorrow afternoon. Things are still going well. Once I get to Shenandoah NP it is rumored that the terrain will get easier. I am looking forward to that.
I may not be out of the so-to-say "blues," but I do feel better again about what I am doing. I do believe that I can do this. It is just tough and somewhat monotonous. Someone I was talking to a few days ago said something to me like, "Either you think it is worth the effort [and tough it out] or you go home. It is that simple." I thought that was a good way to put it simply. It really is that easy of a choice. I know it is worth the struggle. I am the one who is making myself climb this stupid hill and cuss it the whole way. I am deciding to do this, and I can decide to quit whenever I want to. I know that it is worth the effort. What is keeping me going right now is that it will get easier soon.
I am still taking pictures, but I have to say they are tapering off, because there is not as much to see. Anything that is worthwhile I do take a picture of.
I crossed the James River the other day and was told that it was a tradition for a thru hiker to jump off the bridge. So I had to do that twice. The first time I had to see if I would survive, and the second time I jumped to get it on video to show everyone else how stupid I am. It would be like jumping off the top of Shalimar Bridge. Scary as hell to actually let go of the rail the first time. Then it was fairly easy. Gravity took over and did the rest. The water was cold but felt refreshing after a few.
We have had a few 90 degree days. It really takes a toll on hiking up hills. I think I came close to drinking 3 gallons of water the other day, and I really did not pee much.
I should be able to call in a few days. Until then, love you Hun.
Email from Brett later in the day:
If the scale here is right, I am now below 200 pounds. That is over 40 pounds lost.
Friday, May 4, 2012
(Wed. 5/2/12) Glasgow, VA - E-mail Update From Brett
I have been feeling better the last few days. Been trying hard and have been enjoying things more. It is still work, but I have been feeling better. I will call in a few. I was in and out of Glasgow
Perspective From a Former Thru-Hiker; and (Mon. 4/30/12) E-mail From Brett
In preparing for his hike Brett read a lot of trail journals, including the blog of Lindsey, a girl who finished her thru-hike last year. On a whim I went back to her blog and saw that she had recently posted on the anniversary of her start date. I e-mailed what she wrote to Brett. I think it helps to see it from this point of view.
Springer Fever
Springer Fever
Has it been a year already?
I remember the nerves I felt as I left Amicalola Falls State Park a year ago. I kept questioning myself and my decisions. What made me think I could complete such a seemingly impossible task? Would the reward be worth the effort?
Today, a year since I started and roughly five months since I finished, I wonder why those questions were even in my mind. Impossible? Hardly. The reward? Greater than I could have imagined.
It's amazing how much my experience still affects me. I feel a strange ache in my left foot when I walk, I refer to grocery shopping as "resupplying," and I crave Pop Tarts, peanut butter, and Knorr sides. I'm so jealous of all the people starting their thru-hikes this year.
Seth and I are going back to the trail this weekend/next week to do some trail magic and hike for a few days. I'm curious how the hike will be mentally, as well as physically. I can't wait to see a white blaze, and I'm almost looking forward to waking up with a hiker hobble again!
I remember the nerves I felt as I left Amicalola Falls State Park a year ago. I kept questioning myself and my decisions. What made me think I could complete such a seemingly impossible task? Would the reward be worth the effort?
Today, a year since I started and roughly five months since I finished, I wonder why those questions were even in my mind. Impossible? Hardly. The reward? Greater than I could have imagined.
It's amazing how much my experience still affects me. I feel a strange ache in my left foot when I walk, I refer to grocery shopping as "resupplying," and I crave Pop Tarts, peanut butter, and Knorr sides. I'm so jealous of all the people starting their thru-hikes this year.
Seth and I are going back to the trail this weekend/next week to do some trail magic and hike for a few days. I'm curious how the hike will be mentally, as well as physically. I can't wait to see a white blaze, and I'm almost looking forward to waking up with a hiker hobble again!
Brett's E-mailed Response:
Thanks for that update. Everything helps. I already know everything she said is true. It's just in the middle of the journey when the effort and struggles are tough. Today was good. Feeling good, but tired now. 20 mile day.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
(Sat. 4/28/12) McAfee Knob, VA - Email and Photo From Hiker
I missed two calls from Brett, though I was anxious for an update. I was excited to get this email with a gorgeous photo attached.
We really enjoyed meeting your husband yesterday and hiking part of the way with him up to McAfee Knob.
Bob
We really enjoyed meeting your husband yesterday and hiking part of the way with him up to McAfee Knob.
Bob
Thursday, April 5, 2012
(3/29/12) Erwin, TN - Email/Phone Update From Brett
Email Update From Brett:
I am in Erwin today. Just got in and have errands to run. It feels good to be clean. Can't wait for the new shoes. I have two new blisters from the Crocs. Love you.
Phone Update:
Brett called from a hostel in Erwin, TN. He's doing okay, hanging in there, but he needs his shoes. Four to five more days until Roan Mountain (and new shoes).
I am in Erwin today. Just got in and have errands to run. It feels good to be clean. Can't wait for the new shoes. I have two new blisters from the Crocs. Love you.
Phone Update:
Brett called from a hostel in Erwin, TN. He's doing okay, hanging in there, but he needs his shoes. Four to five more days until Roan Mountain (and new shoes).
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
(3/27/12) - E-mail From Brett
From Brett to Becca:
From Becca to Brett:
> Looks like a beautiful night. I'm glad you got to camp on a mountain
> field since you missed Max Patch.
> Love you!
From Brett to Becca;
There is a better bald higher, but four miles down the trail. I just did not have it in me to make it there, but this is good enough. Absolutely perfect. No rain fly on the tent, so I will be looking at the stars all night.
Love you, wish you were here. You would like this.
> Looks like a beautiful night. I'm glad you got to camp on a mountain
> field since you missed Max Patch.
> Love you!
From Brett to Becca;
There is a better bald higher, but four miles down the trail. I just did not have it in me to make it there, but this is good enough. Absolutely perfect. No rain fly on the tent, so I will be looking at the stars all night.
Love you, wish you were here. You would like this.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
(2/23/12) - E-mail From Brett
Subject: Oh joy, what a day tomorrow
... WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 7 PM EST FRIDAY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PEACHTREE CITY HAS ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 7 PM EST FRIDAY. * LOCATIONS... NORTH GEORGIA... ESPECIALLY HIGHER ELEVATIONS. * WINDS... WEST 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH. * TIMING... BEGINNING MID MORNING ON FRIDAY LASTING THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY EVENING. * IMPACTS... HIGHEST GUSTS WILL BE ALONG RIDGELINES IN THE MOUNTAINS. WEAK TREES AND TREE LIMBS MAY BE DOWNED BY THE WINDS. ISOLATED POWER OUTAGES MAY OCCUR. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 20 MPH... OR GUSTS TO 35 MPH OR STRONGER ARE EXPECTED. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT... ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.
... WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 7 PM EST FRIDAY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PEACHTREE CITY HAS ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 7 PM EST FRIDAY. * LOCATIONS... NORTH GEORGIA... ESPECIALLY HIGHER ELEVATIONS. * WINDS... WEST 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH. * TIMING... BEGINNING MID MORNING ON FRIDAY LASTING THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY EVENING. * IMPACTS... HIGHEST GUSTS WILL BE ALONG RIDGELINES IN THE MOUNTAINS. WEAK TREES AND TREE LIMBS MAY BE DOWNED BY THE WINDS. ISOLATED POWER OUTAGES MAY OCCUR. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 20 MPH... OR GUSTS TO 35 MPH OR STRONGER ARE EXPECTED. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT... ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.
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