Kent Connecticut

July 27, 1999 - Kent, CT

Hello,

Greetings from Kent Conn.

AT miles to Kent 1444.4

total trail miles 2160.7

state # 10

total # of states 14

Last days off - Delaware Water Gap mileage 1270

Whats in this report

Lyme Disease

Hot

Getting Close to the End

7-8 weeks maybe

100 mile wilderness

Getting Back Home

Lyme Disease

I got my first vaccine shot in Harpers Ferry WV. The second of

the three shots was due this week.

I was feeling poorly in Pine Grove Pa. I had alternating fever

and chills, but after holing up in a motel for two days I felt better

and went out on the trail again.

By Delaware Water Gap I had recurring headaches and a slight

fever and splotches which seemed to be growing bigger on my upper legs.

The Doctor said it was stage two of the Lyme disease and gave me a 30

day prescription of anti-biotics (sp?). After a couple of days almost

all of the symptoms had gone away.

Today I tried to get my second shot of the vaccine, but the nurse

at the local doctor called the company and they said that I shouldn't

get the shot until the full 30 days of anti-biotics had been taken.

The Heat

The heat has been giving me a lot of problems, especially when

combined with high humidity. The sweat collects in the small of my back

and runs down onto my hiking shorts soaking them completely on the

worst days.

I am combating the heat by:

trying to start earlier.

taking more frequent breaks

stopping at road crossing and getting a soda or food.

It is hard to sleep at night, since the night time temperatures

are in the high 60's and low 70's. You start out the evening by laying

on your thermalrest with the rain fly off, and by the early morning

hours you have to cover up quilt style with the sleeping bag.

They keep saying that relief is always the next day, but it never

seems to last more than a day or so and then the heat comes back.

The Rocks

People have talked about the rocks of Pennsylvania for most of the

trail. The last 3 days of Pennsylvania were the worst. The rocks seemed

continuous, and there seemed to be know flat spots to put your boots

down on.

Getting Close to the End

Maine is only about 716 miles away. That is about 7-9 weeks of

hiking. It includes the 100 mile wilderness which only has a minimum

chance of resupply at the half way point. The resupply comes about when

you pay someone $50 to deliver some supplies 50 miles up the trail. It

helps if you can get 5 people or so to share the expense.

The miles break down

Conn- Mass 140 miles

Vermont - NH 307 miles

Maine 281 miles

Getting back home.

I have been thinking about this for about a month. the three

possibilities are:

Use the plane ticket I have. There would be some sort

of rescheduling charge since the chosen date was

about 15 oct

Renting a car and driving back to Seattle. This would

allow me to see my mother in law, my mother, my family

and friends in Colorado.

taking the bus through the above named cities and

relatives.

Well, Time is running out here in the public library in Kent Conn. I hope

that this message finds all of you in good health and spirits. I am sorry

that I couldn't reply to all of the messages that I have been receiving.

So long for now.

"Mike on the AT"

"No Rain No Pain No Maine"