Hiking just south of Daicey Pond on the Appalachian Trail in Baxter State Park last Friday afternoon, I ran into a thru-hiker on his next-to-least day on the AT.

His trail name was T-Rex and he'd started his long journey north from Georgia in late February. He looked in pretty good shape and fine spirits for all the wear and tear the hike puts on a person's body.

We chatted for a few moments, but you could just tell his feet were anxious to get on with it and his head and heart were aching to meet up family and friends just a few miles ahead at Katahdin Stream.

T-Rex hoped to summit Katahdin the next day and complete his 2,150 mile odyssey. We wished him a good climb and good weather and watched him turn and disappear up the trail.

T-Rex did indeed finish the AT on Saturday, a beautifully clear July day. Congrats, my good man. Congrats!

Here's his simple but moving journal entry from his final day on the trail...

Katahdin and the end of the AT from Daicey Pond, Baxter State Park.

Funny, but I too, after a long weekend in Baxter, ask the same question T-Rex: Why are there so many blood sucking insects in the world?