And the WINNER is...

I've realized that I will never refer to a day out hiking as anything other than awesome!

I made my way back to Camel's Hump to officially finish Peaks For Parkinson's. As I walked through the parking lot toward the trail head I noticed three very handsome men preparing for their hike. One says to me, "Hey, we see you everywhere!" Focusing better on them, I see that they are two guys from an old hiking group I used to be involved with...Carol and Roger as well as their friend, Tom. I was happy to have the lively and familiar company up to the summit and knew straight away that they would be the perfect people to draw the winner of the quilt. All wonderful men. All avid and knowledgeable hikers. All still hiking!

It was not an ideal day for a reward in the form of a view on top of the mountain, but, as always...so much else to absorb and inhale. Invigorating, energizing, life-affirming...

Carol, Roger and Tom did the honours...and the winner is.... :-)

Following a perfect hike, reflecting on Peaks For Parkinson's and closing the mountain chapter...a stop at the Alchemist in Waterbury with the guys (and, Linda...Roger's lovely wife) for a couple of Pappy's Porters...a fall foliage barn dance in Maple Corner, Calais...dancing the last dance of the evening, a WALTZ with Chris Miller (a Long Trail 3 TIME end-to-ender!) and the end of all ends...a dramatic dip...leg in air...laughing...and the night was over. For me, the end of Peaks For Parkinson's 2010.

It all started with a shattered heart and ended with a Waltz. Not bad.



From Left to Right ~ Carol, Tom and Roger ~ Drawing the name of the winner.



Can you see the name?!....Take a closer look...



CONGRATULATIONS....Samantha DesChamps!!!
I hope you love the quilt as much as I do. I guarantee there is a ton of love in every stitch.

For those of you who have asked me if I thought Peaks For Parkinson's was successful ~ You tell me! ;-)

Below is an endless list of amazing, thoughtful, heartfelt comments I received from people after I got off the trail. I told my friend Deb my ego was enormous right now. She replied that it was not enormous...some holes were just being filled in.


It is a wonderful thing you are doing Zuni Bear. Your father would be very proud of you and I love you dearly.

This is such a beautiful thing and so many are with you on the trail and in spirit. Thank you for every step. So many others are inspired and will take a step in one form or another. ~Barbara

Zuni Bear,
This trip was such an important journey for me as I learn to live with PD. It was a rugged 22 miles and took a lot out of me, but taught me so much. I would not have started on the trek if you had not organized Peaks for Parkinson’s. After hiking with you for three days, I have a better appreciation of the many obstacles you had to overcome to make it happen. Thank you so much for staying with it... ~Jim

So amazed and impressed by your vision, your courage, your strength, and your follow-through. Wish I could be there with you tomorrow for that exciting moment. Will be thinking of you with tears in my eyes and joy in my heart!
Thank you for the sacrifice you made for all of us. ~Patti

Jocelyn, it was so (beyond words) wonderful to experience Peaks for Parkinsons with you, to reconnect with you, to laugh and cry, to have the chance to backpack with my first hiking partner (my father) again after all these years, to experience Dick Curran's strength and courage, to see his family hiking together, to scamper through Devil's Gulch with you, to feel the power of the wind on top of Jay Peak... to read all these comments from people whose lives have been brightened by knowing you and experiencing this amazing idea that you brought to life. I'm so thankful that you asked me to join you and so, so glad that I was able to do it. It was a powerful and special week! I miss you already and I love you dearly! xoxox jean (Border Patrol)


I've had you in my thoughts for the past couple of weeks. I'm honored to have met you Zuni Bear! You're an inspiration to fight for what you believe in! One lesson I've learned in my hiking adventures is that the people you meet on the trail are some of the most inspirational and real people around. The positive energy created while walking in the woods is uncommon in everyday life. The positive energy I felt from you had a very calming effect on me. I enjoyed my time with you and miss you terribly! Timmy G.

I will never forget meeting you. It was awesome to have such a connection so quickly since we both have a passion for being on the LT and in the outdoors.
It was my extreme pleasure to be able to tell your mom how impressed I am with you. I know we had only met the day before but it was my privilege for you to let me know your soul and passion so quickly…..I really want to contribute and honor the person you are as well as the great cause you are fighting for. ~TJ

I’m currently reading Michael J. Fox’s 2nd book about his life with Parkinson’s. He has such a positive attitude and like everyone who is or has struggled with this disease knows how hard that can be at times. With his foundation, and others, it does sound like they are striving toward better drugs, etc. so that those living as a “Parkie” (he calls it) will someday soon find relief from their daily struggles!
What you are doing is just as important as any foundation or celebrity can do! You truly should be proud of what you have accomplished in the name of your father. I’ll never look at Camel’s Hump again without thinking of “Uncle Pete”! ~Karen A.

I admire your LT adventure, and loved your sharing how the experience resonated with you. I know the adventure seemed natural to you, but not many people would have thought about such an experience, let alone pursued it. Please let me know how I can contribute to your efforts so that I can express my support and admiration. ~Dave

There are certain people that do remarkable, unselfish deeds and that do so quietly, that make this planet a very nice place to live. I am happy to have crossed paths with Jocelyn and her family and her friends. ~Dick

I'm sure you don't remember me but I was a section hiker who talked with you for a very brief time at Minerva Hinchey Shelter on the AT/LT while you were hiking north and I was hiking south. You told me about your dad and the purpose of your hike. I wanted to, at the least, send you an email to tell you how much I appreciate your efforts to raise the public's awareness about Parkinson's Disease. In my non-hiking life I am the Chief of Urology at the Maine Medical Center in Portland. You can google my name to see what I do and how passionate I am about volunteer medical work and living my life as an example for others. I have always felt that we never truly know how or to what extent our efforts (sometimes done in isolation and without much of a context) will affect others; the ripple effects often go out from our lives without knowing who we have touched or how we have changed others. Over the years I have had many patients with this devastating disease and seen how it has changed vigorous healthy people in so many ways. I have also seen the toll this disease has taken on spouses and family. I applaud you for taking a very public stand on this disease and trying to make a difference in your very special way and on your terms. I am truly sorry for the loss of your father. He must have been a special person.I enjoyed reading your Peaks for Parkinsons facebook page and website. Thank you again for your efforts and passion. I trust you completed the trip with good weather and in the company of good friends who share your love of hiking. ~Sam

Finally, the trail was rugged physically, as you know so well, but walking with you lightened my load. As I said, almost all of my hiking has been with long time friends and family. You have a gift for establishing an open, easy rapport with complete strangers that made me able to talk with you about anything and everything. I encourage you to find a way to use that gift in your career - it is rare and precious! ~Jim


First of all, HUGE CONGRATS on finishing (not that it was ever in doubt). I was so psyched to see you standing on the border monument on your trail blog (we've been following your progress via the high-tech route). While it's not about the destination, but rather much more about the journey, it was still so great to see that picture...While I didn't get a chance to tell you this on the trail, I was really honored to play even a very small part in your adventure...such an admirable cause with such an admirable ambassador. ~Thomas G.

Off to Climb Camel's Hump...

Drinking my morning coffee and preparing for my final Peaks For Parkinson's hike. Looks like I will be solo today...

While I was on the Long Trail, I met a thru-hiker who told me the caretaker of Camel's Hump gave him a small square of chocolate because he was lucky hiker number 400 up the mountain that day. I asked him what time of day he was up there and he said it was around 1:00 pm. I expect that I will be able to find someone to draw the name of the winner of the PFP quilt without much trouble, even if the temps are supposed to be in the 40s on the summits today.

I will post the winner on Sunday...and Peaks For Parkinson's (phase I) will officially be over.

I'm off~
Have a great day everyone!
Zuni Bear

Climbing Camel's Hump

Hello Friends ~

I will be climbing Camel's Hump next weekend (rain or shine!) to do the Peaks For Parkinson's handmade quilt drawing.

If you are still planning to contribute to the VT-APDA, please try to get your donation in by September 30th. I will be getting a final list just before I go.

This will be the official end of Peaks For Parkinson's 2010. It was beyond successful.

Thank you all for your support and enthusiasm ~

Jocelyn ~ Zuni Bear

Handmade Quilt Drawing

My father and I learned that we both had our best ideas when we "slept on it." Dad would tell me an idea he had and then proceed to say he just couldn't figure how to do this...or that. Of course, I wouldn't have the solution either, so I would kiddingly say, "You better sleep on it." I do this all the time, my mind racing as I try to fall asleep, thinking about creative projects and ideas (like Peaks For Parkinson's) until the perfect answer comes.

Recently, I have been wondering how I will officially end Peaks For Parkinson's. I slept on it. The answer: I will take the names of all the people who donated $50 or more (as stated on my website) up one of my most memorable peaks, find a day hiker who appears to love this particular mountain and ask them to draw the winner's name.

My father's sister, Doris, made this quilt. To me, quilts are symbolic of family heritage, friendship, community, love. Peaks For Parkinson's was about family, friendship, community and love.

Quilts were traditionally made and used to mark life's most significant experiences. This will be the end of the most meaningful, rewarding, spiritual, healing journey I've ever been on.

Now, which peak was most memorable?

I loved them all, and they were all memorable, but I'm leaning towards Camel's Hump. While I was not hiking with someone affected by Parkinson's that day, I had a feeling of peace and pure contentment. Perhaps, because I was not hiking with someone that day and therefore can fully devote that mountain to my father, Camel's Hump will be my choice.

~ For those of you who have made a financial contribution, I am very grateful.
~ For those of you who are still hoping to, I will likely be doing my hike in early October.
~ For those of you who could not manage a financial contribution, the fact that you are reading this blog suggests you have been supportive in spirit, and I thank you!

With my deepest gratitude ~
Zuni Bear / Jocelyn

Olivia

I don't have children. I like them a lot, I just don't have any of my own. Every so often I meet a young person who really impresses me...

Today at work I was asked by Olivia (starting 8th grade in a Waldorf school this year) if she could interview me about my Peaks For Parkinson's Long Trail hike. Not only does Olivia hope to hike the entire Long Trail with her dad one day, she hopes to be a journalist and photographer for a magazine like National Geographic. She has decided that her upcoming year long school project will be her own magazine of interesting and amazing people, things and ideas. I do believe one of her remarks was something along the lines of "...people who do amazing things like you just did..."

Well, of course, I was thrilled to be a part of her project...honored that the PFP/Long Trail hike was her first newsworthy idea...excited at the thought of this young woman becoming a famous and professional outdoor enthusiast, adventurer, writer and photographer!

After my interview with Olivia, I thought about my hike and it became clear to me that my Peaks for Parkinson's project not only inspired and motivated people affected by Parkinson's to stay active and keep their bodies moving...it inspired young girls...and older women to dream and to get out and hike. Girls and women from 8 years old to 60+ have been involved with and interested in my hiking the LT.

I was observed and studied by a 13 year old (who plans to hike the LT one day soon) as I set up my tent and made my dinner with my jetboil...met on the trail by an 8 year old on her first overnight with her dad (who later began to follow my blog.)...introduced to a 7 year old who was being initiated into the family hiking tradition as she spent her first night on the trail, waking up in the Stratton Pond shelter as an 8 year old and accomplished backpacker...hiked with a woman who has experienced a lot of life already but who craves to be on the trail doing overnights so she doesn't have to keep turning back! There was also my time spent hiking with Stiletto. She, however, inspired me and made me want to section hike some of the AT and explore more of the mountains in New Hampshire...

It was a good day thanks to Olivia. I have the feeling I will be seeing her name appear in National Geographic one day...

Happy Trails ladies...young and...shall I say, 'experienced' ;-)

Zuni Bear/Jocelyn

Journeys End Photos

My awesome brother, Jeremy, travelled to North Troy and Journeys End to pick Jean and I up when we left the woods. Also, there to greet us was the VT-APDA chapter president, Michael O'Connor and his wife Barbara...bringing Jean and I gifts -- BATH products and chocolate bars. What else could two downright dirty women ask for? Well, maybe a cold beer? But, they did all think of it and it did become a reality on the way home...

The Flask Brothers and Zuni Bear (missing Stiletto...)

I've spent the day re-adjusting to life off the trail. Thinking deeply about the people I met along the way, other than my hikers, who affected my experience. In this photo I'm sitting on top of Camel's Hump with two such people...Tom Gebuhr on the left and Tim Gebuhr in the middle (AKA the Flask Brothers) One of those defining moments when you know you are connecting and words need not be exchanged.

'You talk when you cease to be at peace with your thoughts...' ~Kahlil Gibran

Thanks again guys. Hoping your adjustment is gentle and your memories plentiful. Keep on loving life and spreading that infectious energy. It's really awesome.

Zuni Bear

Zuni Bear climbing on border marker at end of trail...

Well everyone...I made it! I have so many people to thank and will be doing so this week as I add photos and comments to this trail blog. The hike was perfect. I felt great...I loved feeling my body get stronger as I simultaneously cleansed my soul and felt my spirit lighten and return to me. My cousin made a comment on a photo saying I looked "radiant" and all I can say is that I felt radiant. My hikers all rocked and my support people came out and made my trek even more pleasurable and easy.

My goals were to raise awareness, encourage people to keep their bodies active and moving and hopefully to raise some funds for families with PD. I feel my goals were all met but I was most excited about, and in awe with, the reaction I got from two of my hikers specifically -- Dick Curran and Jim Hester. Their positive attitudes and bravery astounded me. When I stopped to really process what they were doing on the trail I felt honored to be with them and I realized Peaks for Parkinson's was as successful as it possibly could have been. I was so very proud of them both and I will treasure those days always. They both did some of the most rugged terrain on the trail!

It's a beautiful day today. I will be honest and say I wish I were in the mountains still...but they helped me process some pain as I honored my father and all he was to me. Have I mentioned how successful Peaks for Parkinson's was?...

Zuni Bear

Northern Terminus of LT

CANADA. 11:20 a.m.

Zuni Bear and Border Patrol (Jean Tufts) Sitting on top of Jay Peak

Good morning everyone!

Just bagged the final peak...another sunny day on top of the world...

I've been out of service since roundtop so I'm sorry I've not been able to update. Since Johnson I've hiked with Jean and her Dad Dennis for a bit. Dennis left the trail...I met Rev. Lyle Miller and his lovely bride Rachael as well as their friend Rosalie and we had a nice picnic brunch at the base of Laraway Mountain. Rachael and Lyle hiked a distance into the woods with us and then wished Rosalie and I good day. Rosalie hiked to the top of Laraway and then made her way back while I continued on to catch up with Jean at the next shelter. It was a lot of fun and I felt honored to share Lyle and Rachael's 52nd wedding anniversary with them. I loved hiking with Rosalie and hope to see her again someday.

Jean and I have been having a great time catching up with one another out here. We have certainly covered some ground...emotionally and physically and I'm quite sure we will leave this trail feeling healthier. Thank you Jean! I love you!!

Jean and I had a great day yesterday hiking for the third time with Dick Curran and his family (brothers Paul and Dennis, sister-in-law Ellen and nephew Sean...met at the end of the day by Sean's mom who brought us treats!). The Curran family is active! And they are fun and funny and were great companions. We hope to do a reunion Peaks for Parkinson's hike this winter...

So now Jean and I are milking these last days on the trail, taking our time, enjoying each other, the mountains and the folks along the way.

Tomorrow around noon or so...think of us as we will be standing with one foot in Vermont and one in.....
CANADA!

It's been an amazing and memorable journey. I couldn't have asked for anything more. I'll post more this coming week, but until then...thank you all for your love and support.

Congratulations to Tom, Tim, Stiletto!!!! I miss you guys..

Zuni Bear LT07, LT10 for PD

Zero Day

Ginger left the trail yesterday after a secure night in Bear Hollow shelter. We fell asleep to the rain bouncing off the roof...a little to loud but we were happy to have shelter for the night. Setting up your tent in the rain is a hiker's most dreaded task. It was really fun to spend the days happily conversing and walking with Ginger. She and I met in the UVM master gardener class a couple of winters ago and quickly discovered we had more in common than our interest in gardening. I'm glad you felt a renewed sense of connection with the outdoors and the mountains Ginger. Let's try hard to make that hiking group a reality! Thank you for being with me on this journey...

When Ginger left, I picked up my dear old friend Jean (White) Tufts and her dad Dennis. We made our way to Roundtop Shelter, again, just in time before the really heavy night rain came in. Jean and Dennis have gone on today to Corliss Camp (8 miles) so I will catch up with them tomorrow. Today I'm hanging at the shelter so I can properly time my next meeting spot with the Reverend Lyle Miller and hopefully some of his family. Lyle's wife lives with Parkinson's. Tomorrow is their fifty-second wedding anniversary!! Let's all wish them the best. Now, that's what I would call a successful journey! Wishing you lots more peace and love and happiness.

So, I guess I'm somewhere around 220 miles at this point. Shorter mile days means I can't continue to eat all day long ;-)

I was relieved to see some comments about the news story. I definitely remember getting emotional but wasn't sure what would be aired. I'm okay with it because this is an emotional journey and I know I'm not alone with these feelings.

Still thinking a lot about Tim, Tom and Stiletto (okay, I'll tell you all her real name...Augusta! I love that name.). They should be reaching Canada tomorrow, possibly.

A few people have asked me what my next adventure will be. I would love to do the John Muir trail. But in life there are so many kinds of adventures and we often don't get to choose and plan them. I will just hope it's a positive one.

Hoping Jean and Dennis enjoy their father-daughter day together. I'll see them on the other side of the mountain--

Have a great start to the week everyone!
Zuni Bear

Elly's daughter

Ginger here. So today Zuni Bear and I hiked the eight miles from Sterling Pond shelter to Bear Hollow Shelter. Beautiful day, great conversations and met wonderful people on the trail. But the .4 miles to the top of Whiteface kicked my haven't-hiked-with-a-full-pack-in-a-long-time-butt! Sometimes it was all I could do to keep putting one foot in front of the other. But all I had to do was think of my mom (Elly) and all the other folks with Parkinsons, and how she gets up everyday, and thought "if she can go through that everyday without complaining, surely I can do this. And I have the option of returning to my normal life on Sunday. So here is to everyone who keeps choosing to put one foot in front of the other, and thanks to Zuni Bear for inviting us to share this journey with her.

What a day!

As if climbing up some very challenging and steep cliffs with Jim on our quest to summit Mansfield wasn't enough! Jim was fantastic by the way...We were met at the top by some energetic and super fun(ny) women, Linn Syz and Rhoda Chickering, as well as the folks from channel 3 news! For those of you who don't know this about me, public speaking has been a lifelong fear of mine. My father's funeral service was my first ever attempt and this was my next one. Luckily my mother knew it would be best to simply spring it on me...so I had no idea it was happening. Thank goodness I had Jim Hester by my side. That alone made me feel better. Thank you Jim.

We had a perfect climb, outstanding views and so much to celebrate!

When we reached the Stowe road a car of fellow hikers cheered at the sight of us and told us we had a lot of folks waiting at the picnic area. Good friends, food, PBRs(!) -- Thank you Allen! So sorry I missed you. Congratulations to you and Helen on your new grand baby...

Unfortunately we got down from the mountain too late for me to walk with some of the central Vermont support group. They were gracious and let me simply eat...and visit.

My next hiking partner is my friend Ginger Nickerson. Ginger's mom lives with Parkinson's. G and I hiked up to Sterling Pond for the night and on our way stopped to take a photo of Ginger with the sun setting behind her...we emailed the photo instantly to her mom. Now we are tucked away in our sleeping bags ready to dream of more days like this. Days filled with monumental accomplishments, fears overcome, stories told, phenomenal people, fantastic mountains, brilliant sunsets and the moon lighting our way.

Thank you Jim Hester. You are strong and brave and you my friend are a rock star! Sleep well tonight, recover and know I will never forget you and the time we shared in your backyard...

Thank you to everyone who came to meet us today. You were all such a welcome sight!

Thank you Mom...you've done so much for me now I can't even list it all...my battery would die again.

Onward in the morning with my pal Ginger. It's going to be a good day.

Peace and Happiness to all--
Zuni Bear

Channel 3 News

Tune in tonight? Just interviewed on top of Mansfield with Jim Hester. Oh boy.... ;-)

Twin Brooks Tenting Area

Jim and I had a long day of rugged terrain over Bolton Mountain today. Couldn't ask for better weather or company.

Thought a lot about my thru-hiker friends, the Flask Brothers and Stiletto, and was so happy they summited Mansfield on such a clear and awesome day. They've all worked hard to get this far and deserve the reward. Hope you guys enjoyed the mountain and are now in Stowe drinking a few beers and reminiscing about your day! Thanks for the campfire and smores. I'll be missing all of your smiles.

Jim and I will have our day tomorrow and we expect it to be a nice one as well. See you on top Linn and Rhoda! See the rest of my group at the bottom...Stowe Road around 2:00.

We have sweet tenting platforms and a sweet sunset as well!

Good night all.

Zuni Bear
200 mile mark!!!

Lily and her dad..

Hello to Lily and her Dad!

I just saw your comment and was elated to see you decided to follow my progress. The Flask Brothers and I talked about you two as we all stood on top of Camel's Hump! The guys were saying how awesome Lily was and how interested and into hiking/packing she was. They were highly impressed, as was I. You may understand now I'm doing this hike for my own father...so to see you two out there together made a lasting impression on me. I met another father-daughter team and just thought it was wonderful to see the girls out here on the trail. I spent the next day after I met you guys hiking with another solo woman (Stiletto...) and thought how cool it is that the women are rocking this trail!

I hope Lily's interest in hiking continues. I believe you hoped to hike the AT at some point...I hope that becomes a reality for you!

I'm over near Bolton tonight...heading for Mansfield.

192 miles behind me...

Happy Trails to Lily and her Dad!

Campfire smores

The climb down Camel's Hump was a knee breaker but the Bamforth Ridge was very cool.

I must come clean...I took a shower today. Only 15 straight days without one this time. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet, but at least my mother could stand to give me a hug. Thank you so much Eric P.!

I met Jim Hester at the bottom of Camel's Hump this afternoon. Jim is a Long Trail end-to-ender and will be hiking with me over to Smugglers Notch. He has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's so we're going to take our time and see how he feels hiking again. He's in great condition and spirits!

My friends the Flask Brothers (Tim and Tom) and Stilletto are camping with us tonight. The guys went to town and packed in smores materials and the three of them gathered wood and made a fire. Tim made us all several rounds of perfectly made smores...the stars are out and it's been one of those summer nights you wish would never end. Jim hit the hay earlier and I'm afraid we may have been a little too loud with our story telling and laughter. I may not see these guys again so it was a perfect way to end some great days.

Thanks for the re-supply Mom...Sarah, Jim is doing great and I'm excited to have him out here with me..

Off to sleep to the sounds of the water cascading down Duck Brook.

Good night everyone. Thank you all for your wonderful and supportive comments. I'm in my element out here...definitely feel comfortable and at peace on this trail...
Zuni Bear

Camel's Hump

I'm sitting on top of Camel's Hump...the sun is shining and the views are spectacular. Everyone from camp last night is up here in awe of our glorious mountains and state. So proud to be a Vermonter! The Flask Brothers and I want to stay up here and bask in the sun and warmth of the day, but alas...we have many more mountains to climb!

App Gap and Burnt Rock

Gusty winds, fog, blowndowns, thunder, steep terrain, ladders...
Sunshine, more technical, crazy climbs UP, steep face rocks down, beautiful views...
Sore knees, unprepared section hikers, boy scouts, my old thru-hikers reunited, dinner, stories, fun, colorful skies, easy wind, moon rising.
14-mile day, hardest one so far but very rewarding.

It's good to be a Zuni Bear!

Seeing Mamma Bear on the other side of the mountain...(Camel's Hump in the a.m.)

175 down, 100 to go!

Good night all...

Rain and mice

Good morning...

Last night another woman thru-hiker named 'Stiletto' rolled in so I had some company other than the mice. What a night! A mouse was staring at Stiletto and we could hear them scurrying around trying to get at our food and packs. We realized we would not be able to sleep well with this activity going on all night so we both got up and set up our tents in the cabin. Thank goodness no one else was here. I finally started to fall asleep with peace of mind knowing that mice would not be dancing in my hair all night when I realized my tent was getting wet. The roof was leaking! I had to get up again and put my fly over my tent. Very strange to be in a tent, in a shelter, but I'm glad I was.

Looks like it's going to be a wet miserable day. Completely fogged in and still pouring. You can't let that stop you though. Gotta keep moving!

Oh! Stiletto told me a woman through hiker told her that she woke up in the night once because a mouse was nibbling on her braids because they were so salty. Another reason to bring a hat when you're out on the trail.

I must pack up and prepare for my day-long shower (I need one badly anyway).

Zuni Bear