May 31st

1. Gil is on the Vermont, New Hampshire line. He is getting sick of rain but will probably be in Grotton NH in 2 days. He was on a pay phone due to no cell towers. Hopes there will be one in Grotton. He is out of food so will be looking forward to shopping in Grotton, didn't take long to spend the money I sent when he has no way to refrigerate. I am thinking of surprising him after he gets into Maine , probably around Rangely. The other alternative is to have our friend Dennis, who lives in Portland, pick him up and get him healthy again before he finishes the trip with Thomas. I don't know if he'll want to do that but we'll see.

May 27th

Gil called from a store in East Charleston Vt. He went into Quebec and back down. Was much easier than he expected. Just like a kid calling from camp, he wants me to send money. lol It is pouring there and they are expecting flooding. He is camped under the deck of a restaurant. They told him to stay as long as he needed. When the rain stops and the river goes a little back to normal, it will only take him a few days to enter New Hampshire. I'm not going to okay any other trips like this, that's for sure, so I'm glad he's getting it out of his system. There are no cell towers so I probably won't hear any more for a few days.

May 23rd

Gil called this evening from Richford Vt. He may not call for another few days as he is crossing the border into Quebec. He has been paddling against the current since he came off Lake Champagne and will be until he hits the Quebec immigration checkpoint. He feels fine and all is well.

Northern Forest Canoe Trail

This is the trail that Gil is following. It starts in Old Forge, New York.

http://northernforestcanoetrail.org

Hog Island

Heard from Gil at 8:30 tonight. He crossed the Lake and entered the Missisquoi River around 10:00 AM this morning. To get there he had to go up and around Hog Island and then drop back down to get in the river. There was about a mile portage before he hit the river. He has a flat tire on his portage wheels so will need to get that fixed in one of the towns he goes through. I also got an email from a gentleman named Norm who talked to Gil last night at the campground on North Hero Island. He tells me that Gil looks good and is still excited about his adventure and is looking forward to Thomas doing the last leg in Maine with him. So guess he is feeling better and is looking forward to the whole trip. Thanks, Norm.

Blogging

I am new to this blogging so hope you stay with me. I am getting so many calls as to where Gil is I thought this would be the best way to go. Thanks, Kathy

May 19th : Gil is just hanging out waiting for the Lake to settle down. It has been real choppy and I don't think he cares to capsize again. It's about 1 and 1/2 miles to the Vermont shore. He thinks maybe he'll have to do it first thing in the morning or later at night. He sounds good and says he believes he has traveled over a hundred miles . I believe it may be more than that.

North Hero

May 18th : When Gil called today he has made progress and is camping on North Hero. He has met a nice couple who invited him to eat with them and he said real food tasted some good He found a store and bought some eggs, thinking of future breakfasts.

Lake Champlain

May 17th: Gil has crossed to what he is calling Big Island on the Lake. On my map it is called North Hero and South Hero. He says it is about 20 to 25 miles long. The sun is out and he sounds much better.

Plattsburgh

May 14: Gil is in Plattsburgh. He found a hospital and had his blood drawn and is resting up. This is the first time I have heard him discouraged. He doesn't think he is getting enough calories out of the freeze dried food as he feels weak and maybe dehydrated. His body is all black and blue from being banged against the rocks when he capsized. He is thinking that maybe he'll give it one more week and see how he feels then.

May 13th: Been a few days since I've heard from Gil. Evidently no cell phone coverage.
I believe he should be in the Saranac River heading into Plattsburgh. 3:30 PM the phone rings and the caller ID shows a number I don't know. I answer and its Gil. He says that he capsized on the river. What sould have been Class 1 & 2 rapids were about a 4 due to all the rain. He lost a bit of his gear (his paddles) and the owner of the phone was going to take him to get new ones. He just wanted me to know that he was ok, and hung up. Now I can't pass this one up (He is the first person I know who has literally been up the creek without a ...........!!!

We arrived in Old Forge, NY on April 30, 2009 for Gil to start the trip of a lifetime (to Gil). It rained all night and the wind was blowing hard.

May 1st: We hunted for a restaurant which was open so that Gil could have a good breakfast before he left. Still raining and the wind blowing.

When we got to the boat ramp, I suggested that we might stay another night and wait for better weather. Gil said no and proceeded to load the kayak. As you can see in the picture, he was loaded. I said that he looked like the old time "tinkers" I believe they were called who took a wagon around with pots and pans hanging to sell to the settlers of yore.

May 6th : I have not heard from Gil at all and am a little worried. I bought him a Trac phone to take on the trip and have to try and remember that towers are few and far between.

While doing bills online I see a sign that Gil is alive and spending money. There is a charge on our on line banking that he spent money at the Long Lake Post Office. I'm thinking maybe he sent me something for our anniversary tomorrow.

May 7th : I call the Springfield post office to see if I have mail from New York. Our postmistress said that I had a package from Gil. I rushed to get it, opened it and found our camcorder inside, no note that said I'm alive, hello, or anything. I think he was afraid it would get wet.

May 9th : My first call and Gil says its been raining since he left. Everything he took is wet except his sleeping bag. Even the dry bags he took ripped after getting wet and hindsight told him he should have bought another kind.

May 10th: Another call, he spent today in his sleeping bag. It is raining so hard you can't see in front of you.