Back from Alaska visiting his parents in Maine, my former student, Andrew, made a winter summit on Mt. Katahdin, the terminus of the Appalachian Trail.

December 23, 2020 - Wednesday morning

34 degrees/cloudy/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I can't believe Andrew went ahead and climbed Mt. Katahdin without inviting me to go along. Naw, I'm just kidding. As I told his mom, I'd expect no less from Andrew.

I was looking at the picture and remembering back twenty years, how, on a whim, a teacher from our village and I hired a bush plane on skis to take us into the remote Brooks Range in March and landed in a mountain pass. After, we spent several days summiting various peaks from our base camp before calling the pilot, via satellite phone, and having him come pick us up. Seems we were always in waist deep snow and a mere minus 30 degrees seemed like an afternoon in the tropics.

My oldest son, Josh, and I, successfully made a winter summit on Mt. Washington in New Hampshire years ago. I enjoyed strapping on the crampons, using an ice axe, and struggling to reach the summit. As I remember, temperatures dipped into the negative numbers during our night out camping on the side of the mountain before summiting the next day.

I'm a bit jealous of Andrew, but maybe, that's why God makes young adventurers. It allows us has-been's to play out our own memories of wonderful expeditions of days gone by. 

Besides, I have my own adventure in 1 year, 2 months, 5 days, 4 hours, 25 minutes, and 43 seconds, when I begin my 2,200 mile journey to Mt. Katahdin from Georgia on the Appalachian Trail.

This old arctic traveler still has at least one good adventure left in him.

Speaking of adventures, Tuesday morning's walk was beautiful. Temperatures were in the upper 20's with nary a hint of breeze.

Continuing to "test drive" clothing and equipment for next year's AT hike, I tried a pair of Injinji toe socks, liners really. Supposedly, they help to prevent blisters between the toes and being polyester, aid in wicking any moisture. 

Other than feeling really weird when I initially put them on, I soon forgot I was wearing them until I took off my shoes and regular socks at shower time last night. Weighing only ounce or two, the Injinji's will be a part of my kit when I start the trail. 

With Sargie in Iron Mountain, I had the day completely to myself. Where else should a guy spend it? Why in the shop.

I was tired of making serious stuff, anything that required brain power and any amount of skill. 

How about something fun?

I found a pattern for a silly Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Rudolph. Sure, why not?

With the temperature a comfortable 75 degrees, and Christmas music playing in the background, making a silly Santa just seemed the thing to do. 

There was a hole or two to drill initially. I LOVE the laser crosshairs that allow me to know exactly where the drilling will begin.

After cutting ten or fifteen pieces on the scroll saw, I began to paint.

It took most the day, but in the end, this little Santa came to life.

Last night was a quiet one. Sargie and I are watching one *gulp* Hallmark Christmas movie each evening until Christmas day. Sargie loves them and they are making me more of a sensitive type guy, one with feelings and understanding. (Boy, there's a line of bs accompanied by a lot of very hot air.)

In other news, Yooper Brother Mark found this picture taken in Sitka in 2007 when the family came up for Sarah's graduation. Sarah asked if I'd take her dad and brother fishing, and of course, I agreed. A life long friendship began on that outing. (That's a black sea bass and a "yellow eye" or red snapper, not of the southern variety.

Okay, it's daylight and time to head out the door for my morning walk. I may go ahead and make a Mrs. Claus to go with Santa today. No doubt, Sargie will have an idea or two of what we ought to do and hey, being a sensitive type guy with feelings and understanding, I'm pretty much open to anything.

It's just the way I roll.

After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...