Matthew Mooney
My name is Matthew Mooney. I am the proud son of two Appalachian Trail walkers. Pat and Debbie Mooney embarked on this great journey in April 2007. An ankle injury pulled them off early, but they are still plugging away when they have time. It is my duty to keep them in touch with family, friends, and all curious sorts while adding to this journal the many resulting tales. Take your time sorting through the journals of this adventuring couple willing to forge a trail many only dream of. Please submit your thoughts and encouragement; they will be passed on.OD and CCs Long Walk
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All Who Wander Are Not Lost
New in 2009:
Photos and Video: http://odandccslongwalk.shutterfly.com/
GPS SPOT Satellite Messenger tracking at the following link. It keeps track of their last 7 days: http://tinyurl.com/o2g53z
Travel Blog Posts
Visiting "The Mayor" again
Published: November 8th 2009North America » United States » New York » New Paltz
October 31st 2009
We are not on the trail right now, however I do travel near the AT while driving my 18 wheeler. I was lucky enough to have a layover night near Unionville, NY. While on the trail this year CC and I spent a wonderful night at "The Mayor's House." He provides hikers a shower, laundry and two super meals asking nothing in return other than to share your hike with him. I popped in with a bag of dirty laundry and stakes for supper. To my surprise there were four southbound hikers spending the night. We put the stakes in the freezer and all shared fine baked chicken. Dick (The Mayor), Bill and Butch his two helpers were all happy to see a hiker return for just a friendly visit. It was not the trail, ... read more
July 5 Monson, ME to Chaumont, NY A real long drive
Published: July 25th 2009North America » United States » New YorkJuly 25th 2009
We spent the night sleeping in the back of our SUV parked at the trail head. The wind blew most of the night with some rain. We were up around 6:30 and started moving things between vehicles. Breakfast was to be taken at Shaw’s Lodging House, a sort of hiker hostel in Monson. We were told last night that this was the place to find out the latest trail conditions and a $7 all you can eat breakfast sounded much better than what we had in the vehicles. Arriving at Shaw’s we found our friendly newspaper reporter interviewing the hikers there. We made the total for breakfast an even dozen. Drinking hot coffee waiting for the food to be served we found out information about the trail south of Monson that we did not want ... read more
July 4 Rainbow Stream Lean-to, ME to Abol Bridge, ME 15.1 miles walking. Then to Monson, ME
Published: July 25th 2009North America » United States » MaineJuly 25th 2009
The nightly storm rolled through sometime after midnight. This morning the river has not changed level even with the nights rain. CC was stressed over the crossing this morning and did not eat much. It will be a quick trip to the bridge and the truck as rain is in the forecast with the barometer falling steeply since going to bed last night. The crossing went off without a hitch, besides CC almost making herself sick with worry. I have the crossing on video so you will be able to see it later. We were out of the shelter by 7AM and across the stream by 7:30. The first part of the walk was good without much water being on the trail. We managed to get our boots somewhat dry and were reluctant to get wet ... read more
3 July Wadleigh Stream, ME to Rainbow Stream Lean-To, ME 8.1 Miles
Published: July 25th 2009North America » United States » MaineJuly 25th 2009
What a storm rolled through last night. We were thankful we had a roof over our heads, not just a tent. We slept in a bit and didn't roll out until 6:30. During breakfast we talked about how to do today’s walk. 8.1, 11.8 or 19.6 miles the middle one was a tent site. We chose to do a short day and then do 15.1 miles tomorrow to the vehicle. We have done two big mile day in a row. We can't make it there today so why kill ourselves. We hit the trail by 8 and took our time walking. The rain had left everything wet and we were soaked again. We had to climb Nesuntabunt Mtn right off. Almost 1,000' climbing in 1/2 mile. Going up the mountain in the mist of the clouds ... read more
July 2 Cooper Brook Falls, ME to Wadleigh Stream Lean-To, ME 21.6 Miles
Published: July 25th 2009North America » United States » MaineJuly 25th 2009
A much better nights sleep, we were the only ones in the shelter and the drone of the falls along with some rain made a great night. We were the first folks up this morning. I started breakfast by 5:45 and we were on the trail by 7. The trail the past two days has been relatively flat and smooth. There have been plenty of roots, mud and water to dodge, but still okay. The first shelter today was 11.4 miles out we made it there by 12:30. We took an hour break talking to the guys who were taking a days rest there. We decided to move to the next tent area 4.3 miles up the trail. That was banged out in no time. Off to the next tent area 3.2 miles further. On the ... read more
July 1 Sidney Tappan Campsite, ME to Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To, ME 17.1 Miles
Published: July 25th 2009North America » United States » MaineJuly 25th 2009
What a lousy night! The trail work crew was loud most of the night. They might be considerate to the trees and plants, but didn't care about the people who were sleeping near them. I got to sleep about 2AM, even with earplugs some of the voices still cut through. We were up by 5:30 doing the cooking and packing. The work crew was up about 6. One of the young men came over and apologized. We had a few words, all civil but he knows my mind now. We hit the trail by 6:45, this was the first camp of the entire trail we have not exchanged pleasantries with those still in camp as we walked out. The trail had an almost 1,000' climb up West Peak. The trail crew had been working on ... read more
June 30 Chairback Gap Shelter, ME to Sidney Tappan Campsite, ME 11.7 Miles
Published: July 25th 2009North America » United States » MaineJuly 25th 2009
Rain overnight was not real bad. The fly was wet, but everything else was dry. There ended up being 13 people at the shelter last night. By morning there were six tents pitched in the woods. We were up by 6 trying to pack inside the tent without getting wet. We managed well enough. Breakfast went smooth and the rain all but stopped by the time we were done. The trail went almost straight down this morning first thing. Then across a bog which we managed to cross without getting wet. The first climb was steep and long causing us the be wet from sweat early. CC shed her rain gear before we made the top and I got rid of my jacket at the same time. The sun did not make an appearance until afternoon. ... read more
29 June Long Pond Shelter, ME to Chairback Gap Lean-to, ME - 10.9 miles
Published: July 25th 2009North America » United States » MaineJuly 25th 2009
The night was quiet until the rain started in around 2:30. The wind blew hard, the trees swayed with a noise like ocean waves on the beach. We were up by 6 and cooking breakfast praying the rain would stop. Packing up we opted for full rain gear. 7:30 we rolled out and up the trail. The rain and wind were so bad this morning the camera was packed inside my pack. There were a few times when we wanted to get pictures, but not today. The morning was nothing but wind, rain, roots and rocks. The first three miles were all up, from 1,000' to almost 2,700'. The rock work was almost technical in places and the water just made travel slower. We both took a slip and spill or two along the way. ... read more
28 June Leeman Brook Shelter, ME to Long Pond Stream Shelter, ME 12.1 Miles
Published: July 25th 2009North America » United States » MaineJuly 25th 2009
We had a good nights sleep without snoring, mice or rain. One of the guys was up by 5AM packing up and heading for breakfast in town. We got up at 5:30 and hit the trail by 6:45. The trail statred up as normal. Bug levels are up with all the standing water. Chemical Warfare is in full swing. Problem being sweat and rain washing the stuff off and the bugs knowing just where to attack! CC has historicaly not had problems with mosquitos, now they treat her like a delicasy. She is constantly harassed by the flying dentures. We saw some great scenery this morning. Little Wilson Falls were fantastic, at 60' they are one of the tallest on the AT. Moss covered the ground like fine plush carpet. Pines and hardwoods alike also ... read more
June 27 Framington, ME to Abol Bridge Campground, to Monson, ME to Leeman Brook, Shelter 3 miles
Published: July 11th 2009North America » United States » MaineJuly 11th 2009
Up early and breakfast in the restaurant and on the road by 6:45. We made Abol Campground by 11 and were surprised to hear it would not cost anything to leave our SUV parked there until we can walk back to get it. In the car and off to Monson. We stopped at the Fire Dept to ask about the parking area at the trail crossing. While there I managed to score two pieces of radio gear for $1 from their fund raiser sale. CC was not impressed with the buy. The car was parked by 1:30 and we were walking by 2. We were supposed to ford a stream within the first 1/10 mile. Arriving there, some kind soul had bridged the gap with a 4x4. I made it over without any issues. CC ... read more
Tot: 0.075s; Tpl: 0.003s; cc: 7; qc: 64; dbt: 0.0542s; 1; s:notus w:www (50.28.60.10); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.4mb
