For 27 years now, hikers along the Appalachian Trail in Maine have been stopping in at Shaw's Boarding Home in Monson for a good meal, a warm bunk and a hot shower. Owners Keith and Pat Shaw have been nothing less than legendary for their hospitality up and down the 2,000 mile long trail, and many thousands of hikers have fond memories of their stay at Shaw's, myself included. I'm saddened to hear the news that our good trail friend Keith Shaw passed away on December 7th.

I first met the Shaw's during my AT thru-hike in 1977, their first year of operation. I spent two nights there, eating huge home-style meals at breakfast and dinner, all cooked with love by Pat; sitting around the kitchen table during the day, chewing the fat with Keith; and watching TV at night with the Shaw family as well as the other hikers. I couldn't have felt more at home. And that's how the Shaw's wanted it.

I've been back to visit too few times over the years since my hike, the last in 1998. Keith and Pat always recognized me from that first group of hikers who came and stayed that first year (and maybe too because they remember me as the one who didn't pull in the shower curtain during my shower and flooded the kitchen downstairs while hikers were having breakfast!).

Keith and Pat and I always got around to talking about the trail--it has been the center of their existence after all--and how things have changed since the "early days." Our reminiscing would inevitably lead to digging through their archive of hiker register books, searching for '1977'. And we would thumb through to find my entry, written in purple ink, and signed the "Bangor Mainiac" (my trail name), and would end up crying over the fond memories of the trail experience and the wonderful people who made it so. Keith and Pat Shaw will always be at the top of that list.

Thank you Keith and Pat Shaw for all you have done for the AT trail community over the years. We will miss you Keith. Pat, our hearts go out to you and your family.