Finish

Gil arrived at Fort Kent at 11:16 A.M. He is going to a restaurant to eat.

June 26th

This will probably be my last entry until Gil gets home and tells me everything he has jotted down. I don't think anything will beat the bear story. Gil told me to tell Kate I married an old truckdriver and when he smells home he puts the hammer down. lol He's been paddling from 4:30 AM till dark. Good luck to Mike, Bob and Sandy. I cannot believe anyone could make it at the speed Mike has. Good job, Mike.

June 26th

I tried to leave a message on Mike's board but due to old age lol I can't figure out how to do it. I want to thank his crew for their kind words and wishes of good luck. Gil did not know Mike was behind him until he called me from Jackman. I am so happy this trip is almost over. Hopefully any other bucket list items he comes up with will be easier on both of us. lol

June 26th

Hallelujah, it's almost over. The phone rang and it was Gil at a restaurant in Alligash. He has done the Alligash to this point in 3 days. He says he has paddled about 30 miles a day. Thank God his heart didn't give out. Guess he's 40 miles from Fort Kent. I really don't care I just want him home.

June 24th

As I left Gil in Stratton he started across Flagstaff Lake. He could see something breaking water up ahead and thought it might be a beaver or such. As he got closer he could see that it was bigger than a beaver and thought it might be a moose head that he was looking at. He got within 10 feet and got the surprise of his life. It was a huge black bear just cruising along. It had not spotted him until he called, Thomas, it's a bear . The bear came out of the water with his front paws and turned his head to look at Gil, at which point he really took off and swam toward the shore. Unfortunately, Gils camera which I had just given him, was under the sprayskirt and he couldn't get it in time to get a picture. Gil has met a lot of wonderful people as he's stopped here and there, but the bear was something he didn't expect to see so close up.

June 23

Gil says I probably will not be hearing from him again until he reaches Allagash Village. The hardest part has definitely been between Stratton and Jackman. He says after Jackman has been a cakewalk compared to Spencer Stream. He's curious to see how Mike likes that section. He thinks he has lost more weight. I wish the weather would clear up and he was home. Not much longer!!!!!

June 20th

Gil just called on a payphone. He had just enough change to talk 1 minute. He's in Jackman and the worst is behind him. The weather has been horrible. The operator cut him off and he had no more change. Has not been able to get a cell signal. He is going to try to call me tomorrow. It's been almost a week since I've talked to him. I'll be glad when he's home. I miss him.