With permission. Some minor edits to protect privacy.
-Tom
6/29/25
Thank you for creating and maintaining this program for the BBSP Redlining Patch. It has been a lot of fun working on redlining the Park. This patch will have a big meaning for me.
In February of this year, I had surgery to get my ACL repaired in my right knee. Before my surgery I was very active in hiking the NH 4000 footers. I even finished hiking the NH Grid in December. But after the surgery I pretty much had to start over from square one and learn how to walk again.
After about 3 months post-op I had set a goal for myself to be able to walk up Catamount Hill with my 2 children. After I successfully hiked up the hill a good friend told me about the BBSP Redlining patch.
I thought to myself this would be a great way to help with my rehabilitation and keep motivated. I decided to call it my Redline Rehab Program. Hiking in Bear Brook has been great to build up my strength and confidence It’s been a great place to explore with my family as well.
And on Sunday 6/29/25 I was able to complete the last trail I needed in the Park (Beaver Pond Trail) with them. We got a nice picture in front of the bear by the camp store and grabbed an ice cream inside.
So. I know in comparison to some of the bigger goals and redlining in the WMNF, the BBSP patch may seem like a small accomplishment. But to me it is going to have a lot of meaning as the patch that helped motivate me to get back on my feet and help me gain the confidence to start enjoying and living my life the way I used to before my injury and surgery.
Thanks again, Tom, hopefully I’ll see you around the Park one of these days.
-Eric