Only 223 days and I'll be at Amacolola Falls, Georgia, with my pack on my back.

July 7, 2021 - Wednesday morning
53 degrees/cloudy skies/calm winds
Pentoga Road

Thanks to Trail Boss, Scott, for continuing to whet my hiking appetite and sending a few pictures my way. Scotty and his lovely bride, Becky, reside in the suburbs of Atlanta and were out for a ride in the mountains of northern Georgia.

It's been over fifty-five years that I've dreamed of standing in front of that plaque and touching it before finally taking the first of the five million steps needed to reach Mt. Katahdin in Maine, 2,200 miles to the north. 

Thanks Scott. Initially seeing the pictures, I felt like one of Pavlov's dogs and nearly drooled in anticipation.

In other news, I'm especially proud of sister-in-law, Debbie, who recently added Missouri to her wish list of wanting to run/walk a 5K in every state in the union.

She and Sargie's brother, Pat, who served in Vietnam, were in southwest Missouri for other reasons and Debbie participated in the patriotic 5K while in the state. True patriots, Debbie remarked that no one turned his back on the flag during the ceremonies. 

It's obvious that the real champions, though not Olympians, were those who participated in the 5K to honor our country.

Josh sent me a recent picture of my grandson, Cody Bear, well, it's just Cody, but Grandpa will always call him Cody Bear. It just fits.

It appears my granddaughter, Ellie, is having some luck catching bullheads. 

Continuing on:

Ah, small town America on the Fourth of July. It doesn't get any more patriotic!

Yooper Brother Mark sent these pictures of Isabella in the Iron River Fourth of July parade. Mark and Sheri's granddaughter takes baton lessons in Wyoming and participated with our local group of twirlers. 

Sarah and Isabella are back from Wyoming for a month long visit.

And finally, from Thorne Bay, Alaska, my former student, principal, and surrogate daughter and good friend, Joanna, sent this picture of the boys, Dawson and Carlyle.

Tuesday's news from Pentoga Road isn't nearly as exciting. Leaving for Green Bay after my morning walk, Sargie and I enjoyed our two and a half hour drive south before making the usual rounds of Costco, Sam's, and Aldi Foods. We arrived home late yesterday afternoon amid a beautiful rain and much lower temperatures.

It's time to strap on the hikers and go for my morning stroll. With forecast highs in the low 60's today, I'll be working up firewood. Hambone's to be with us for a couple of days, so you know there'll be nonstop action galore! I heard through the grapevine that we might be working/playing around the pond and even go kayaking on the lake.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Taken from or near the summit of Springer Mountain, Georgia, the starting point of the Appalachian Trail.