Journey Day 319 | AT Day 142

Jean person atop the North Peak of Crocker Mountain.

8/17/86
Up early, but slow out of camp. We climb Crocker Mountain. We meet a woman named Jean Pearson we later learn is a retired teacher turned adventurer from Geneva, OH, east of Cleveland. Keith disappears as I listen to my radio on Crocker's south peak. I find him on the north peak thinking on a career decision. Pearson catches us again and we talk long. A brother and sister come up and we talk more.
Then we're off downhill. Meet Maine Appalachian Trail workers doing trail maintenance. The trail has been excellent since the Mahoosucs. Hike the final mile to the road. We start hitching. Keith decides to go the other way. I catch a ride with a motorcyclist, check in at the Widow's Walk in Stratton, Maine.
Shower, admire view of the Bigelows. Pearson shows up. It turns out she finished the A.T. on this day 13 years ago with her husband, son and daughter. They did it mostly on weekend trips, the husband using a motorcycle to get back to the car at the end of each stretch. She and I go to dinner at Cathy's Place and feast on prime rib, salad bar and beer. More good talk. Back at the Widow's Walk, I watch TV with Mary and Jerry Hopson, proprietors. Late crash after a Phillip Marlowe film, short call to Richard Alvarado, a lawyer friend in Texas. I can see the Bigelows from my bedroom window.

Bigelow Range from Stratton, Maine.