----Original Message-----
From: Nimblewill
Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2000 6:41 AM

Dear Friends,

Just a note to let you know the hike, Odyssey 2000 is going great and that I am running close to my planned itinerary. I am presently in Andover, ME, hiking out of The Cabin. I have spent the last two nights here and will return again this evening. The Cabin is like home and Honey and Bear are treating me like family!

I am strong and in good health and am able to tackle the difficult ascents and descents remarkably well. My total packweight now, less food and water is a mere 9.5 pounds.

I have decided to permit my right hand to heal as is without undergoing surgery to straighten and pin the second metacarpal. The hand is strong and I am able to grip my trekking pole quite well. It's just going to look a little crooked.

I spent three down days in Monson at The Pie Lady's working with my publisher recently in preparation for book printing. Final work involves indexing and proofreading. The illustrations are completed...the whole thing in book form. I am hoping it will be available by late September.

With my little Pocketmail I am able to send spam messages in groups of ten, which I can then stack and mail together. I realize that corresponding with you in this manner isn't very personal. Again, if you would prefer I not mail you these messages please drop me an e-mail and I'll remove your address from the list.

God Bless,

EB Eberhart
Odyssey 2000

-----Original Message-----
From: Timothy Scott [mailto:cedric_maxwell@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, August 07, 2000 11:32 AM
To: Atkinson, David L, JR (Fannypack), BMCIO

Subject: Hello from...

...Nimblewill Nomad. I was hiking in the Whites this weekend, and on a hunch I stopped by Hikers Paradise. I knocked on his door and told him I was delivering a message, FannyPack says hello! I was suprised, he remembered that I had emailed him asking questions, etc... before I hiked last year. We talked for almost two hours about his hike so far, his book, etc... What a great guy, I look forward to hearing him speak at ALDHA. Oh yea, I have to get my tix for that this week too. Anyway, he told me to tell you the The Old Man says hello. Later FP.

-Chomp
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"Even his griefs are a joy long after to one that remembers all that he wrought and endured." -- Homer, The Odyssey
=====
NOTE: Nimblewill Nomad will start today at Rt 16, Pinkham Notch, and will go over Mt Washington today.

-----Original Message-----
From: Carl Schmid [mailto:carlbooboo@hotmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, August 20, 2000 11:49 PM
To: Atkinson, David L, JR (Fannypack), BMCIO
Subject: Re: Nimblewill's location on AT????

Hey Fannypack. NimbleWill Nomad is in Manchester today. He decided to stay at Sutton's Place and I'll meet him in the morning to take him back to the trail.

Later BooBoo '98

NOTE from Fannypack: as u can see Nimblewill is right on schedule, 08-20-00 -Manchester Center, VT, see below.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, August 25, 2000 3:09 PM
Subject: Nimblewill

Dave:

Nimblewill was right on schedule. He got here in Dalton about 3;00, and was anxious to get to a motel to do some writing, shower, and rest. Did get to talk to him for a while. Quite a guy!!! Did meet him on his thru-hike two years ago. He stayed here then and we had quite a talk.

This has been a very busy year, a lot of people very early. Take care and look forward to seeing you next year.

Just another short note to let you know how the hike is going.

Another state passed beneath my feet today as I entered Delaware Water Gap, PA. Two provinces and seven states down, nine states to go.

I am exactly on schedule here at the Gap, day 108. I should be in Duncannon, PA on the 15th, my next mail drop.

David,

I am now at VA623 on my AMT/ECT southbound...trail day 149, trail mile 2300. Tonight I will camp somewhere between VA42 and VA610. I will be at Partnership Shelter tomorrow (Saturday) evening. What great timing. See you tomorrow evening!

It's been awhile since my last trek update so thought I'd drop you a line. Odyssey 2000 is becoming an incredible adventure. I'm in Damascus, VA now, trail day 153, trail mile 2400. This is close to my halfway point between Cap Gaspe, PQ and Key West, FL on the ECT. I'm seven days ahead of schedule to complete the first southbound thru-hike of the entire Appalachian Range at Flagg Mountain, AL before Christmas. Many friends want to be present when I complete the southbound AMT hike in Alabama, so I'm trying to move my completion date up to mid December to avoid the conflict with the holidays. I'm hammering hard on the miles...63 for the last two days.

David,

I'm at Fontana Inn, should reach Spring in about a week-and-a-half. The fires were bad between Spivey Gap and Stateline Road down to Mountain Moma's.

God Bless, EB www.nimblewillnomad.com
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Location--Springer Mountain, thence on to Len Foote Hike Inn

From the Perry home in Cumming it's an hour's drive back to Gooch Gap, so we're all up by seven. Before loading, Carole prepares a full-spread breakfast for me. The plan is for Lee and Carole to drop me off at Gooch Gap, then for Lee to drive Carole on ahead to each of the road crossing so she can get in some hiking with me. But these plans start looking iffy as we begin climbing the mountain towards Suches. The rain came off and on all night, and this morning we no sooner get on the road than the rain begins again. As we continue climbing, the rain continues, slowly turning to snow. At first the snow seems not to stick, but nearing Suches the road turns slushy as the flurries intensify, finally turning to steady snow showers. I ask Carole to please not take chances for me, we can hike another day. She responds by shifting into four-wheel drive! On we go making it in good order to Gooch Gap. Here Carole and Lee drop me off, then head for the next gap. I watch as they disappear into the wall of white.

The snow begins blanketing the trail and the woods all around as I ascend from Gooch Gap. I'm thinking, "What a fitting way to end the second segment of this odyssey...in the snow, just as I began the first nearly six months ago, some 2800+ miles to the north." In just awhile, I see a hiker coming towards me. It's Carole, sporting the happiest and broadest smile. Ahh yes, me too, two kids playing in the snow! It's really coming down now and it's starting to pile up on the trail, making the slippery rocks and roots under the slippery leaves, under the slippery snow...very slippery! Out of necessity, in order to remain upright, our usually smooth, gliding gaits turn to a slow, cautious shuffle. But oh, are we having a grand time! Lee is waiting patiently...and snugly in their warm vehicle as Carole and I gain the gap. Carole has prepared sandwiches and I am offered one before they head out again, disappearing into the ever intensifying wall of snow.

What a grand and exciting day this is turning out to be as Carole soon greets me again and we glide on together in the snow to Hightower Gap. By this time the snow has piled up in my hair and on my beard, making me appear as a snowman. Lee is taken aback with glee as he rolls down the window to get a better look. Another sandwich and a few pictures and I'm on my way again, bound for Cross Trails, just this side of Springer Mountain.

The snow slows me down considerably but I do not mind. The hike today is a different hike, different than all the hundreds before, just as a southbound hike o'er this grand old AT is so different from a northbound hike. It's a joy to have the company of a great friend today, for this hike has become mostly a solitary affair. I have seen many dear friends from "Odyssey '98" and have made many new friends, some who have hiked along for awhile with me, but for the most part I have been on this journey alone. So I have had much time to think, time to find out more about who I am and what I am. There have been times of struggle, both physical and mental but just as was the case during "Odyssey '98," I am finding within, a deep inner peace and joy as the days click away. I am a better person, that I know. I am stronger of will, more tolerant, with greater patience...and am slowly gaining of wisdom as I learn to trust in the ways of God and not in the ways of man...and of this earth.

By the time I reach Cross Trails, the last short leg to Springer, I am plowing along in nearly a half-foot of snow. What a glorious sight, what a glorious feeling! Lee and Carole are here waiting and they bundle up to hike the last mile on the AT with me. We're giddy and full of chatter as we head for the summit of Springer.

Just shy of the first white blaze, the blaze that marks the beginning--or the end of such a once-in-a-lifetime journey--begins another trail, the Benton MacKaye Trail; a trail so named in honor of the dreamer whose idea gave birth to the greatest of all trails, the trail now known as the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Carole and I hike the short distance from the beginning of the Benton MacKaye to the beautiful bronze monument that has been affixed to a wall of stone here on Springer Mountain. This is such a special place, a spiritual place, a place where I experience the most intense feeling of pride. For it is humbling to have been chosen by fate and by time and circumstance...and by the will of the Almighty, to be the person to initiate the idea and start the fund to place this beautiful tribute to Benton MacKaye. In the snow this shrine is so pure, so peaceful. No one has been here before us today, the blanket of snow undisturbed. I hesitate, not wanting to invade the spell cast by such a wintr

y scene. Carole urges me forward and I finally go to have my picture taken with Mr. MacKaye. There is just no way in words I can express how very special this moment is in my life.

We finally turn, to hike the short distance to the summit where Lee is waiting to greet us. He sweeps the snow from the last of the three beautiful bronze plaques placed years ago by the GATC...and it's picture taking time again. I cannot see the last white blaze just beside the plaque for it's covered with snow. But I know exactly where it's located, for I have cast my eyes down upon it many a time.

The snow has ended and the clouds have lifted for just a moment. Time to look, as Benton MacKaye would say, "...to truly see that which we look upon." Nearly 3,000M completed on this journey o'er the Appalachian Mountains Trail (AMT). Three-hundred more to go to complete the first southbound thru-hike of the entire Appalachian Mountain Range...thence to continue on along the Eastern Continental Trail (ECT) to Key West, FL, a total distance of near 5000M, most-near a year on the trail.

The Len Foote Hike Inn (LFHI) is a beautiful facility. It's located on a parallel trail between Amicalola Falls State Park and Springer Mountain, requiring a hike the distance of some five miles for those who wish to enjoy its comforts. I had the pleasure of working there for over six months while I labored over the manuscript for my book, Ten Million Steps. I've been invited to be their guest this evening, so plans are for me to hike on in from Springer while Lee and Carole drive down, around and up the service road to the Inn.

Just at dusk, and to cap this perfect and most memorable day I'm greeted by the great folks at LFHI. There's Naomi, Josh, Shane and girlfriend, Kelly, Jeremy, and my great friend and fellow "Class of '98" thru-hiker, Dan "Cornbread" Briordy. Lee and Carole soon arrive...with a bottle of bubbly to celebrate the occasion and Josh has prepared a hiker feast for me. The snow adds to the magic that is the LFHI, casting a spell of beauty and peaceful calm over this high-held place.

The second leg of this grand journey, "Odyssey 2000" is now history...my southbound thru-hike o'er the AT, now history. So many memories, so many great people to thank for making the journey so special. And to my sponsors, most who will continue on with me...Vasque, New Balance, GORP.com, Conquest, Wanderlust Gear, GVP Gear, Cascade Designs, Leki, Rexall Sundown, Appalachian Outfitters and Feathered Friends. Thank you, one and all!

Dear Friends,

The first southbound thru-hike of the entire Appalachian Range o'er the Appalachian Mountains Trail (AMT) is history. It began May 24th in seven feet of snowpack at the Cliffs of Forillon, Cap Gaspe, PQ Canada and ended December 14th, 203 trail days and 3257 miles later as the old Nomad stood atop Flagg Mountain, AL. This grand and glorious trail crosses three time zones and passes through two provinces and fifteen states as it winds its way from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the first mountain standing above one-thousand feet deep in Alabama.

Through the Grace of God has this trek been possible. I am humbled to have been granted the health, stamina, resolve and safe passage to complete this remarkable journey.

I will take a much needed break now to be with family and friends during the holidays, then to return and continue on through southern Alabama to the Florida National Scenic Trail, thence on to Key West o'er the Eastern Continental Trail (ECT).

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

God Bless, EB http://www.nimblewillnomad.com
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