Strolled in to the finish line at about noon yesterday.
Chilly in the morning with Tweety leading the way
Lined up a few blazes
Visited Sunfish Pond
Got to sport my trail magic necklace from Beatnik – he advised me to wear it proudly as I strutted in to Delaware Water Gap
Approaching the pedestrian bridge that took us over the Delaware River from New Jersey to Pennsylvania
On the bridge – at the border
Arrived in Delaware Water Gap, PA
Closing it out before driving to Tweety’s house
I’ve got to offer some final thanks to those who actively participated in the blog conversations – Harry, Linda, Sally, Marti, Pat, Puffy Pete, Jenny.
A particular thank you to my daughter Becca who set up the blog, taught me how to do the entries and to incorporate photos and videos, and helped me to overcome several technical challenges. She’s a talented artist. Might want to check out her work. If you’re interested in products or illustrations by Becca, sign up for her email list for shop updates – the signup is at beccarand.com.
And finally I wanted to throw out a huge thank you to my wife Paula, who tolerated my absence,helped me prepare for the trip, kept me going with regular food supply boxes, bought me emergency items when I was in critical need, joined me for a week in Virginia, and was my biggest supporter. She made it happen for me!
With gratitude for everything I’ve been able to do with all your help,
Junco
kevin hikes 
The legend lives on…
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Congratulations!! Throwing birdseed here (confetti is bad for the environment)! This is probably the wrong emotion to have, but I’m so proud of you! I mention your accomplishment often when the topic of hiking comes up in conversation. It’s just too hardcore to ignore. It was great to get reacquainted with you all these years after our childhoods in Connecticut. Dave, Sage, and I very much enjoyed your visit! I’ve gingerly started doing a bit more walking with the hope of getting back to hiking. And I’ve listened to early Tom Petty, thinking of you each time. Plus, your nature observations and photography remind me to look more carefully at the big things and the little things around me. Enjoy some good rest for a little while. I somehow think this won’t be your last adventure. It’s in your blood.
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Linda, thanks to you and Dave and Sage for your support and company. I’m getting ready for my retirement and for some collaboration with you on the exploration of the lives of those who came before us – a future adventure for me (and you, I hope)
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I look forward to that. I took a several-month break from my research, but I’m back to it now. The thing I am most interested in doing is collecting photos and stories whenever possible. I love sharing discoveries!
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Congratulations and thanks for sharing this adventure of a lifetime. We are going to sorely miss your observations and musings. Who says you need to be on the AT to keep Kevin Hikes going? I have seen old familiar places through your eyes for the first time and it is a real thrill.
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Remember, Junco, the journey is the reward.
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I have thoroughly enjoyed following your journey in words and pictures. You are a talented observer of nature. Hope to trade stories with you sometime soon. Welcome back to “civilization”.
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Thanks, Harry. Your encouragement and assistance really got me off to a great start!
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Sounds of hands clapping and people whistling …. the words of Jerry Garcia come to mind – what a long strange trip it’s been – thanks for bringing us all along on the blog with you. Will miss feeling the leaves crunch …
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See you soon, my friend!
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Thank you for the opportunity to follow you and all the others on this adventure, Kevin. I will miss seeing Kevin Hikes when I open my email.
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It’s been fun to share the trip with folks who have been so supportive and interactive – I had a great team keeping me going.
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Congrats, Junco! I’ve been looking forward to your posts every morning since we met up in Mass (I was a RR at Nopel Shelter). Not sure how I’ll start my day, now. I admire the way you were able to find and capture the natural beauty of the Trail, and how your trip was much more of a journey through a landscape than it was just filling in the miles between two mountains. I look forward to trying to find that balance on my own next long-distance effort.
“hozho naasha”,
Cosmo
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Cosmo, I was hoping you were still around. SO great to hear from you. I remember very well our time together. Thanks for the kind words. I always said that I wasn’t much of a “thru” hiker, but more of a “with” hiker. You ridge runners are awesome!!
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Great to see your accomplishment. I enjoyed the pictures and the observations along the way. Congratulations!
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Thanks, Donna. We should plan a trip to Chinle – the Xmas bazaar?
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Congrats, Kev! You made it look easy. It was an honor to be part of this amazing journey!
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Congratulations Kevin!! It must be an amazing but sad? feeling to be finished. Looking forward to catching up back in flag.
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Well done Junco. Congratulations on completing the AT. We will miss reading of your adventure, but looking forward to your blog from your next adventure.
Carry On
Pat and Marty
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