I am alive. Its been another few days since I've updated, I'll do my best to fill in all that I can. I last updated from Mizpah Hut in the Whites. I'm well past there now lol. Pushed from Mizpah to Lake of the Clouds. The weather was awful. Low 20s on the summits and ridge line which we walked most of the day. The wind gusted to 55+ mph with rain and visibility around 100ft. It was not a fun day for myself or Bella. We held up pretty well at Lakes, which was positioned in the shadow of Mt. Washington, on the banks of 2 small alpine lakes with water temps around 48 degrees. we awoke the next morning to clear skies and sunshine, no better conditions for summiting George. After the croo served breakfast we packed up and made our ascent. The climb was amazing, the summit much less so, almost a let down. We reached the summit to find it covered with day hikers, a snack bar, post office, gift shop and auto road! For being such a huge climb and strenuous ridge walk, What a let down! had to wait in line behind 15 people to get my picture taken with the summit sign, it was the only picture I took from the summit. After George, we blew thru the Northern Ridge of the Presidentials and into Gorham, New Hampshire where I spent almost 3 days recovering in a hotel room with hot showers and beer for all. Out of Gorham start the toughest and most technical 30 miles of the trail. Crossing into Maine, and we have had rain for 3 of 4 days. Bella is sick with a respiratory infection, we hit the vet today and got her some meds she should be fine, all that alpine terrain took its tole, and the past 4 days have been just as bad below the trees. We made it thru the Mahousic Notch, which is the hardest mile of the entire trail, in just an hour and a half. Bella really earned her name coming thru all the caves and boulder scrambles. My shoes and gear have been wet for 3 days, we are at the High 5 hostel in Andover, Maine drying out and recuperating from the hardest hiking of my life. I've been carrying the "round tuit" for this place since I stared, and it was well worth it, the "hostel" is a converted shipping container lol, pictures will be available as soon as I get home. We stayed at Speck Pond shelter last night, sitting on the banks of the highest body of water in Maine, it was really serene. Its under 230 miles to Katahdin, and I still feel great, a little worse for wear, but I'm ok. I took a hard hit in my personal life tonight, almost took all the wind out of my sails but I won't let it, I did it to myself. I miss friends and family more than ever tonight, and all the comments from everyone, really boost my morale. Thanks to everyone for all their support, I'm more than half way done, and I'm ready to start walking towards home. I'm unsure what the future holds when I get there, but I know I'm coming home to friends and family that will see me through. The Blue Ridge plan is still a go for the long term future, I only wanna be in Georgia long enough to catch up with friends and family, then I will leave that place and a certain someone in the dust, not slowing down, not turning around,and no glancing to the rear-view mirror. I'm almost there everyone! God willing we will summit Katahdin by October 1st, and since I only have to get to Bly Gap, I should be home by Thanksgiving if not earlier. Bella sends her regards to everyone. Shower time after 1 last beer. By the way, I've taken over 400 pictures since New York. Live vicariously thru me.

-Fresh and Bella the Mountain Dog + Dutch

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