Editor’s Note:

Westbrook native Gretchen Carroll, who goes by the trail name Ukalady, is hiking from Georgia to Maine along the 2,181-mile Appalachian Trail. So far, she has spent 151 days on the trail, hiked 1,844 miles and raised $1,180 for Rippleffect scholarships.

I am back in New England and it has been great. I recently ate wild blueberries on top of a mountain in New Hampshire and it reminded me of hikes I did with my family years ago. A certain bird call brought back memories of walking through my neighborhood to the bus stop and whistling my response to a bird. Pine forests smell like Christmas and I found myself humming the “Maine Christmas Song.” It finally feels like I’m walking home.

With 1,800 miles under my feet I am surprised at how good I feel. Yes, my feet hurt, but the hurt seems to move to a different spot every day. I figure this is a good thing because if it were the same day after day it would indicate an injury. The swelling of my knees also has decreased. I still enjoy moving forward and enjoying the uniqueness of each day.

I think the mental mindset can be more of an obstacle for hikers than the hiking itself. I am lucky that Chameleon and I are overall very positive and make the best of situations. We don’t mind the rain, laugh our way through frustrating climbs, and sing when all else fails. Anytime a day feels long or dull I try to change my focus. I’ll take more pictures, whistle, translate English songs into Chuukese, listen for birds, or strike up a conversation with Chameleon. I know I am thoroughly enjoying this hike and I hope all the other hikers out here are having as much fun as I am.

The further I walk north on the trail the more hikers I see that are heading southbound to Georgia. It’s amusing to think that combining my hike with any southbound hiker equals a completed Appalachian Trail. I am nearly finished and they have so far to go. They have completed the most challenging parts of the trail – the White Mountains, the southern part of the trail in Maine, and the 100-mile wilderness. The White Mountains have so many ups and downs per day; southern Maine has rocks, roots, and a really difficult notch; and the 100-mile wilderness is a 100-mile stretch without roads or towns. Northbounders and southbounders trade advice and stories about their part of the hike before moving on.

My mom came to visit Chameleon and I on the trail! It was great to see her again after so many months. She walked with us for a couple miles in the morning and was able to see a shelter. She helped us slack pack over Mount Moosilauke in New Hampshire. It was so nice not to have a pack on when we went down some of the steepest section of trail yet. We also went car camping with my mom, which felt luxurious and strange. We ate such good food because my mom had a cooler – meat, fruit, vegetables, hummus and more. There were so many people in the campground and the tents looked huge. Chameleon and I were ready for bed by dark as usual but normal people stay up so much later!

The views in the White Mountains have been spectacular. I love looking out over the mountains and seeing my last few days worth of hiking. Soon I will be on Mount Washington and I hope it will be a clear day. Thus far every time I have looked for it, the top has been in the clouds. I am hoping for good weather!

To donate money for outdoor education scholarships at Rippleffect visit www.gofundme.com/GretchenAT.

To read more about my hiking experiences on the trail visit www.mtnrvr.blogspot.com.

Ukalady, a.k.a. Gretchen Carroll of Westbrook, looks put at the White Mountains of New Hampshire with Mount Washington shrouded by clouds in the distance.Ukalady’s hiking partner Chameleon and Ukalady’s mother hang out at a shelter near Mt. Moosilauke.Ukalady, left, and Chameleon pose on top of Mt. Moosilauke in New Hampshire.Ukalady, left, and Chameleon pose on top of Mt. Moosilauke in New Hampshire.