[at-l] FNST thruhike completed

[lpatton at mailer.fsu.edu (Linda Patton)]

Today, this reporter was fortunate to be able to obtain a last-minute spot 
in the standing-room-only crowd gathered for the finish of the exciting 
summit climb at the conclusion of the flip-flop thruhike of the Florida 
National Scenic Trail by the world-famous Hiker Known As Stumpknocker.  

It was a gorgeously sunny day in the panhandle of northwest Florida, and 
clear skies enabled distant views of logging trucks gently flowing through 
the intersection of routes 71 and 90 below the asphalt-clad summit of 
mount Blountstown (elevation almost 70 feet above sea level).  As The Hiker 
Known As Stumpknocker struggled the last few feet to the summit and reached 
the dazzling end of his amazing thruhike, the crowd erupted in loud cheers 
for the noble, yet humble, figure.

Huzzahs echoed off surrounding edifices.  Cameras flashed to record the 
moment.  The crowd of four surged forward.  Hugs, kisses and handshakes 
were exchanged.  Congratulations flowed like champagne over the triumphant 
hiker.  It was a never-to-be-forgotten moment. 
 
After some time, the crowd of four dispersed and re-gathered at a nearby 
Mexican eatery for a celebratory dinner with consumption of mass quantities 
of food, while The Hiker Known as Stumpknocker regaled the diners with 
tales of frightening encounters with bears and alligators in the wild 
swamps along the trail.  

Congratulations, intrepid hiker.   

	~~ eArThworm

PS:  Photos available for a few days; begin at 
http://www.trailjournals.com/photos.cfm?id=131990
and click on "next" a couple of times.