Update on "FAITHFUL"

Hi everyone!

Just got an e-mail from Lillian, Faithful's mom...Looks like he is going to take a shot at finishing the AT HIKE that he started with me, last June 1st. There is no doubt that he can do it, but...just to be on the safe side, how 'bout we all pray for him anyway?!? Following is part of the e-mail...

"Hi Cari and Kelly,
How has your winter been? We have kept busy. Dave has been planning to get back on trail Mar. 10. He and Dan bought a plane ticket for the 8th. He flies out of Portland at about 7am. We have Christian friends picking him up in Richmond Va. and driving him over to Rock Fish Gap near Afton, VA. There are some Mennonites in that area where he will be hiking for a while. They helped him out before. I have to call them by Mon. to see if they will be a contact again and maybe help him slack pack. After that we don't know anyone until he gets to Ga. That man will pick him up and take him to the Atlanta airport.

Can't believe it is only 3 wks away!!! We would appreciate you and your church praying for him. He wants to get it done by June so he can be called a through hiker. We pray he makes it. Only 848 mi. to go. He'll start out with some warmer equipment and lighten up farther along. We are excited for him, but will be glad when he gets back home."...

Well, that about does it! Sure wish I was going to be out there, too, but that will be another time...God Bless you, Faithful, you will be in our prayers!

God Bless the rest of you too!

Stickman

Couple of journal updates...

Hey everybody!

I was able to sit for a bit after Christmas and type in a few of my journal notes...Look as far as the July 11th Posting, you will find that my journal notes are in, as far as the 10th. (You will find that at times I have typed in several days trail journaling under one dates posting. That is because my wife, Cari, was a VERY busy lady while I was on trail, and was not able to post everyday...also, there were stretches of time that she had nothing to post, as she hadn't heard from me.) I hope that you all had a very Blessed Christmas, and that the upcoming year will be the best ever. God Bless you, every one.

Stickman

Great company...and PANCAKES!

When Faithful and I were out wandering North, heading towards Katahdin, we came upon Harrison's Pierce Pond Camps, (just before the Kennebec River, and Caratunk). Although we stayed at the lean-to, located on the pond, I took a short stroll down to the Camp, and met Tim Harrison. We spent a considerable amount of time sitting on the open porch, listening to the sounds of the water rushing down the stream, and chatted like old friends as the sun was setting. Before leaving to return to the lean-to, I put in a breakfast request for Faithful and I, and Tim was more than happy to accomodate. Next morning, nice and early, we were seated comfortably at the lodge, and feasting on a fantastic breakfast. Part of that breakfast consisted of a twelve-pancake (each) feast, as only Tim could prepare! WOW! The real topper, though, was Tim, and his easygoing, known-you-all-my-life demeanor. It is apparent, at once, that Tim is people-friendly, and definitely hiker-friendly!

Well, I think of Tim often, and had left a ScriptureStick for him at my cousin Chet Hibbard's Pharmacy, up in Bingham. Last I saw Chet, he hadn't seen Tim to give it to him...which made me think of Tim all the more...

Good news! Yesterday afternoon, we had a visit from Tim! What a wonderful time! He had been in to see Chet, gotten his ScriptureStick, and when he was in Madison, stopped at Campbell's Building Supply to see me. I had the day off, but he got directions to the house, and paid us a visit. I was so pleased to see him, and to introduce him to my wife, Cari. We had a great time, talking about many things, but surely we talked about the trail, and hikers. Tim has an incredible ability to remember the names of so many hikers, and was able to recall details about them. That's pretty amazing to me! To meet, somewhat briefly, so many people, and to capture them in your memory...what a gift. Tim did say that he had more hikers come by his camps than ever before, and hopes that it will continue. So...if any of you are hiking up around Harrison's Pierce Pond Camps this coming year, make sure you stop in for a visit!

Tim, I thank you for your visit, and your great hospitality when Faithful and I hiked through. My door is always open to you. Cari and I will definitely be taking a trip up to see you in the spring, and maybe do a little hiking around there, to boot. Until then, take care, and God Bless!...That goes for all of you good folks too!...as I sleep tonight, I'll have visions of PANCAKES dancing in my head!

Stickman

Hooray for BOO-BOO!!!

I received an e-mail from Rebecca "BOO-BOO" Suddoth yesterday. She was wondering how Faithful and I were, and where we were. She had last seen Faithful when he was in Pennsylvania. I gave her an update as to our adventures, and would like to say "Thank you!" to her for checking on us. Nice to hear from you, Boo-Boo!

Now, some late-breaking news...Hikers sighted at summit of Springer Mtn., Georgia!...It is being reported that SOBO hikers have recently been sighted at the summit of Springer Mtn., in Georgia. Although many of them have not been identified, one hiker has been confirmed to be none other than Rebecca "BOO-BOO" Suddoth. Do not be alarmed! Hikers are found to be quite friendly, and generally spend their days migrating North to Katahdin, or South to Springer, looking for food along the way. The best way to approach these hikers is with a hearty "HELLO!", a handout, and a "congratulations" upon reaching their destination...so...HOORAY FOR BOO-BOO!!! HOORAY FOR BOO-BOO!!!

Boo-Boo summitted on November 29th! You can check out her trail journal at www.Trailjournals.com/rebecca/

Great hike BOO-BOO! God Bless!

Stickman

Able to post again! etc., etc., etc.!

Hi everybody! I fiddled with the site a few days back, and found that I was able to post, but my "updates" of previous posts weren't showing up...but eventually got that straight too! Funny thing is, I don't know that I fixed it...it may have just been being a bit temperamental!

I have not had much opportunity to do updates...sorry for that! I would also like to get lot's of pictures up on the site, too, but that will definitely be after Christmas.

We have received several requests for ScriptureSticks that need to be to their intended recipients for Christmas, so am working on them as best we can. If anyone has a request for a stick, please let us know...the earlier the better, if it is for Christmas, and needs to be shipped out. Thanks!

I have had a lot of great meetings and conversations with people who have been aware of my A.T. adventure, and have been able to share bits and pieces of my journey with them. I guess I didn't realize how many people were aware of it, or how many had checked up on me online. I will certainly try a bit harder to get the rest of my journal, and a bunch of pictures up on the site!

A lot of you wanted to know if I would be attempting to complete the trail come springtime. Well...I have no plans to do that at this time. It isn't that I don't want to be back on trail, though. I would love it! It would have to all fall in place, truly be God's will. I would have to be considerate of my employer, have financing, good health, and most of all, a clear feeling that it would be the best way to serve God.

A few of you folks have expressed a desire to take on the trail someday. Awesome! And, a couple of people thought it might be great to do a section. ALSO Awesome! I have had a thought bouncing around in my head...and, although it is not fully developed, (...the thought...), it goes something like this...Start out SOBO again, with the SOBO thru-hikers, but only do the stretch from Mt. Katahdin to Monson, Maine! That would allow for a great hike, and an opportunity to be a witness for the Lord, and hopefully, an encouragement to all the hikers. I had a brief conversation with Scott Lloyd the other day, and he expressed interest in the "100 mile wilderness". (Katahdin to Monson)...Anybody else interested??!!?? Might be fun to get a group together, and take a hike. Let me know, and maybe we could pull something together!

I may have some more good news to share with you in the near future, so please check back. I hesitate to share anything yet, as it is not in the works yet, but only in the "could happen" catagory. Sorry to throw out a teaser, but I want to get you back on site! "Don't TEASE me, bro', don't TEASE me!!!". (Couldn't resist!)

Will get back to you, and soon...'til then, God Bless ya!

Stickman

Hey, Howdy! I'm still here!

Hello, everyone! I have tried repeatedly to add my trail notes to the blog, under their appropriate dates...but am having no luck. Everything indicates that the edits are successful, but they are not showing up in the blog. So, I thought I would try a new post, to see if I could even do that, and to let you know what is (or isn't) going on with the site. Don't give up, I'll keep trying to get it working again. 'Til then, take care, and God Bless

Gollywobbles!

Yep...Gollywobbles! It seems that I may have a touch of the gollywobbles lingering with me. I feel SO much better than I did a couple of weeks ago, and am able to be at work, attend services at church, and go to our Bible study/Prayer meeting, and all those good things...but I am not fully "bounced back" to my former self. I just don't feel 100% yet, and am experiencing very slight vertigo at times, along with some vision problems...nothin' serious, just annoying. I pray to be back to my old self soon. Maybe you would say a prayer on our behalf, too! Thanks! Cari is continuing to heal, which is AWESOME! She is a real trooper, and, unlike me, seldom complains about her complaints...I think she may be easier company to be around than I am when not feeling great. I guess I am lucky to be me and not her, because I get to enjoy her company, and I don't have to tolerate being around me! God has truly blessed me, don't ya think!?!

More later, God Bless you!

Stickman