HIKE FOR KIDS’ SAKE BENEFITS BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

Bill Michaud ends his Appalachian Trail “Hike For Kids’ Sake” on Mt. Katahdin, Oct. 13.  His 7-month odyssey was the experience of a lifetime and fulfilled a 50-year dream.

Rockland, Maine - On October 13, 2012, Bill Michaud realized a dream he’d had for more than 50 years.  On that day, he summited Mt. Katahdin and completed his 2,186 mile hike of the Appalachian Trail which had started on March 19 at Springer Mountain, Georgia.  “Backtrack” as Bill was known along the trail, along with 13 members of his informal hiking group “The Sunshine Gang” which had coalesced along the hike, reached the end of their journey in his home state.  Along the way, he raised approximately $5,000 to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine.

Michaud, who turned 62 while on the trail, served as the agency’s Founder and Executive Director from 1988 to 1993.  He shared his Appalachian Trail adventures with BBBSMCM staff members at their monthly staff meeting on January 16, telling stories of some of the wacky and interesting people he met along the way, his adventures with bears, snakes and other wildlife, and the many kindnesses shown to him by “Trail Angels” who provided “Trail Magic” along the way.  Colorful characters like “Cheese Whiz”, “4-10”, “Cackles”, “Rooster” and a group of people called “Riff Raff” all played a role in his adventure of a lifetime.

After months of research and planning, Bill’s epic adventure ran non-stop from March to October with just one exception – Bill came home briefly to serve as the benefit auctioneer for the town of Friendship’s annual