Gerry’s Last Photo
On that night, Gerry stayed at the lean-to and became friends with Dorothy (Dottie) Boynton Rust, another hiker who had taken up residence at the shelter. On the next morning, Gerry was up bright and early in his bright red fleece and even brighter smile, ready to take on the world. Being only 22 miles away from where she had intended to meet up with George again, Dottie inquired if she may photograph Gerry before leaving to continue the path. Gerry agreed and Dottie snapped a photo of Gerry before leaving to continue the journey. Dottie mentioned that it would make a wonderful Christmas card for her family. Gerry was photographed for the very final time in this photograph. Gerry contacted her husband at approximately 7:15 a.m. on Monday, July 22, to inform him that she was leaving the Poplar Ridge Shelter. Then she turned off her phone, said farewell to the other lodgers, and made her way northeast to the Spaulding Mountain shelter.
She’d lost her way
In the evening, Gerry intended to camp at the Spaulding Mountain Lean-to and hike the next morning to the intersection of the Appalachian Trail and Route 27. On Tuesday afternoon, George would be waiting for her at the designated location. Her walk on Monday morning began in the same manner as usual. She was alone in the bush, taking in the scenery and carefully following the trail as she took in the beauty of her surroundings. Her bladder was completely full after several hours of walking. Finding a concealed place near to the route was a difficult chore when you don’t have a walking companion. Gerry ventured into the dense woodland in search of the ideal tree behind which she might take refuge while she emptied herself. When she regained consciousness, she realized that she had wandered too far into the forest and that she had lost track of the path that led back to the route.
