"Couple folks asked for a message board. So, here it is."
Ground Control, Florida
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"You must be getting very excited at the idea of accomplishing an amazing journey. Mixed with both anticipation, relief, sadness and triumph of a challenge only few would ever dream of facing and achieving. Be safe on the final leg."
Fig, Cocoa, FL
I believe that sums it up.
Ground Control, Florida
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"well done Terri...er, Five Pair!!"
Plum, Toronto
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"Fig wants to know if the journey has become tiresome or is it still exciting."
Fig, Cocoa, FL Hide response Post a responseAdmin
Five Pair response:
"Neither. The journey is constantly changing where I am seeing different areas and facing different challenges."
Ground Control, Florida
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"It wasn't clear what animal charged at you recently. Have you seen any moose now that you're in New England?"
Fig, Cocoa, FL Hide response Post a responseAdmin
The charging animal was the dreaded hummingbird.
Five Pair reports no live spottings yet but lots of ground based evidence that Moose are feeding in the area.
Ground Control, Florida
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"I believe Jim's version of seeing the AT is more my style."
Fig, Cocoa, FL
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"Five Pair, You were one of our favorites. So happy we all made it. Best, Opie and Parm"
opie and parm, philadelphia
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"Hi Ground Control -- where did you find the interactive AT map on Five Pair's website? I'm hoping to thru-hike in 2013 and I would like to include the map on my website. My email is prayer.walker@comcast.net Five Pair's blog is great ! Thanks."
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"Terri! Terri! Terri! Way to Go, Five Pair Rules!"
Fig, Cocoa, FL
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"We are just over 600 miles from Mt Katahdin, which must seen like nothing to Five Pair. Would she have any interest in walking by our place on the way home? Passport required, but that is a small logistical bump for Ground Control!"
Plum, Toronto Hide response Post a responseAdmin
Five Pair advises "I will do that hike if Ground Control and Triple T come along."
Ground Control, Florida
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"Hey Five Pair, it's One Speed. Just wanted to say that I am very proud of you for completing your thru hike. You're an awesome and amazing person! Loved the bear videos!"
One Speed, Apopka
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"We have to be extremely careful of chiggers and tiny ticks during the summer months at our farm in KY. Are you having any issues with these on the trail? We are very proud of you and enjoy the website that Ground Control maintains for your journey."
Joiners, FL
Five Pair advises "No, not yet." Not only has she not experienced a tick problem but she has not had a single one yet unlike every other hiker she has met. Her theory? Her combined daily routine with baby wipes, hiking in a skirt and the fact that her legs remained shaved thereby not providing ticks easy terrain access. Some hikers having heard of the baby wipe routine have theorized perhaps the scent is unattractive to the little pests. Whatever the reason, it's all good ... no ticks.
Ground Control, Florida
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"Are you looking forward to the hike back to Georgia?"
Fig, Cocoa, FL
The hike back to Georgia will be via four "legs", eight cylinders and moving at a speed unheard for AT hikers and will follow a trail primarily known as "I-95"). As an AT "purist", Five Pair will have passed each blaze with her 30 lb backpack and taken an estimated 5,000,000 steps (for an average sized individual... I will leave it to you if you believe she would need more steps) and 506,000 feet in elevation increase (akin to climbing Mt Everest 17 times). The trail home will involve just 2 or 3 "shelters" and our resupply will be limited to establishments where you tell them what you want and they serve you.
Of course, the trail home wont have the stories, views, pictures or sense of accomplishment that the first trail did and does.
Ground Control, Florida
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"Five Pair -- DONE..... Way to go. See you in Florida. TOM"
Batman, Titusville
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"Hi Terri, Nice pictures. Like to see some of the shelters you stay at. Stay hydrated in this heat wave. :)"
Kooz, Florida
Will post some shelter shots in a couple days.
Ground Control, Florida