June 12th

After checking in at the Stratton Motel, we went across the street to eat. Just as we sat down, a young fellow was telling everyone that he was on a canoe trip. I asked if it might be the Northern Forest Canoe Trip and it was. He left Old Forge May 5th and was told there was another paddler ahead of him. He couldn't believe he was meeting him. His name is Charlie Pearce. He will be leaving at Jackman to go to New Hampshire for a wedding. He was telling Gil about his airmattress and asking what kind of equipment Gil was using. Gil told him he sleeps on the ground. Gil had a great time talking to him. They spoke about the Clyde River being high but Chris Gill had already sent that message to me to give Gil. A couple nights rest and he'll be gone again.

June 12th

Thomas drove me to Rangely and as we drove down to Stratton we started looking for Gil. He beat us to Stratton. The Dr. said he has an inner ear infection and gave him a prescription. She said he is in good shape but told him to go back on his meds. He weighs 190 pounds which makes a loss of 27 pounds. He weighed 217 when he started. He said the trip was harder than he thought it would be but he looks and feels good. We are going to spend Friday and Sat. night here to do his laundry and give him a rest. I will be heading back home Sunday AM. Gil has a lot of stories about his trip that he hasn't told me because he doesn't want to use his minutes on the phone. When he gets home we will be doing a wrapup of the entire trip, i.e. he capsized more than once and saw many animals.

July 11th

Found a motel in Stratton that was reasonable so took a room Friday and Saturday nights. Figured that would give Gil a chance to have a hot shower, watch tv. Yes, Frank & Diana a motel room!!!!!!!!When he heads out again Sunday its supposed to be a fairly good week. Right now he is camping in the Congregational Church Yard in Rangely. They told him he could set up his tent and they have a meal at lunch time for $4.00. He ate today and said it was the best chicken he had ever eaten. That's what happens when you eat mostly freeze dried meals for 5 weeks. lol
Will be back Sunday.

This came in my email this morning. Gil tells me he has lost about 4 inches off his waist and seeing is believing. He also tells me that he has gone off all his medication except the blood thinner. He thinks that since he's lost weight his blood pressure and heartbeat may be too slow. Oh well, I'm glad he sees the Dr. in Rangely tomorrow. Last night he said he was about 6 miles out of Rangely.

June 9th

Gil is not feeling well at all. He mentioned the other day he was having dizzy spells and a headache. Today said they were worse and he wished they would go away. I called the Rangely Chamber of Commerce and they gave me the number for a clinic there. I have an appt. for him there on Friday.

June 8th

Yea!!!!!!!!! He's in Maine. He says that someones sense of measure was way off. He was thinking that Maine was right around the corner but took way longer than he thought. He bought food in Errol NH so is feeling much better. He has been on the Androscogin River and Umbagog Lake. Bought some hamburg at Saco Whitewater Outfitters and they invited him to eat with them so he had spaghetti/meatballs. He is hoping to get a cell signal in Rangely and will call from there. He is anxious for Thomas to join him and get on the water again. I think he's
anxious to get home. I was going to surprise him in Rangely and tried to press him on when he thought he'd be there to no avail. Thomas will be out of school Friday noon, so either way I'll see him soon.

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.