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Destination: Isolation

© Lisa Marie Pane

Right there before me was Mt. Washington, where it all began, and a panoramic view of other mountains: Monroe, Eisenhower, the Wildcats and too many others for me to identify and name.

After lingering on the summit for nearly an hour, I made my way back from where I came. This time, though, I made time for a detour to the Rocky Branch Shelter #2 _ the lone remain shelter standing in this part of the woods, the others having been torn down for disrepair and not replaced. After seeing it, there was part of me that wished I'd turned this into an overnight trip, but I was glad to have a warm meal and a bunk bed awaiting me at Joe Dodge Lodge. I will save this beautiful spot for another trip.

About two hours into the return trip, my right knee and left arch were nagging at me. But I popped some aspirin and was back to a speedy pace (for me anyway!) within about 15 minutes.

I was back at the trailhead with enough time to shower and still make dinner at Pinkham.

The odyssey that began on May 7, 2000 ended on Sept. 23, 2004 _ and a new adventure will begin soon. All day, I couldn't help but think of all the peaks I'd been to and how each one is special in its own way. I don't regret a single adventure _ from the sprint down Mt. Washington to escape a thunder and lightning storm to hitting my lip, nose and forehead on a rock coming down from the Kinsmans to the meltdown below the slide on Owl's Head.

And I can't help but thinking that if I can do this, then just about anyone can do this.