The worst thing about rain is that it’s wet. And since it rained all night, everything was wet this morning. I hadn’t tied up my hammock well so on top of the wind blowing the wet tarp into me in the middle of the night, I had woken up on the ground soaking my hammock and quilts as well. I stuffed the wet clothes, hammock and quilts into my bag and decided I was going to push it today to see if I could make it to the town 20 miles away where a hot meal and a dry motel was waiting for me. 

I pulled on my rain poncho, bid good bye to McKay and started up the hill. The air was full of fog and I could barely see 100 feet in front of me. But that was kind of nice. I didn’t know what was coming up, so I didn’t have to dread what was coming up. 

All morning I walked through the mist, using the tales of the Manson family to push me deeper and deeper into the woods. As I was walking with a purpose today, I passed the few people I saw on the trail, waving a quick hello as I ascended up, up, up. 

Around noon, I crossed over a ridge and tried to figure out why everything seemed so different. And it hit me, because on this side of the ridge it was sunny. Barely any fog in sight! 

I decided it was a day for a hot lunch and pulled into shelter to boil some water for a dehydrated lunch. I sat next to a guy who I’d seen before but didn’t know his name. We chatted about our experiences so far and how our days were going. He let me know that I had luckily missed the snow. Also he was having some leg pain due to the hip replacement he had gotten earlier this year. 

After lunch, he smoked a joint and I asked him how the leg was doing. “Well now im high and I’m about to throw on some music. Who cares if it hurts.”

I continued on a gentle gradient upwards taking me towards Unico gap, a shuttle and a motel. I passed a few folks and said a few hellos until I caught up with Lark, Dani, and Fail.

Lark and Fail were hurting. As we made it to a shelter at the top of the mountain, Fail fell to the ground and announced that was where he was staying. His legs had had enough. He would do the mile to town tomorrow. And then enjoy a day off the next day. “Better to take it too easy now then not be able to make it to Maine.” He and Dani walked off towards the shelter. Once again agreeing that the brewery tomorrow was the move.

Lark and I agreed the motel was the play so we continued onwards. Up for a while and then down a steep descent. With aching knees, we carefully placed poles in front of us and one foot in front of the other, hoping not to step too hard or twist anything. 

After a 20 mile day I sat down at the bottom. I took of my hiking shoes and switched into flip flops, noticing a huge blister on my toe that I somehow hadn’t even felt throughout the day. 

A shuttle to town and a quick check in at the motel had Lark and I at the restaurant (the only restaurant). dining on loaded plates of pasta and cold beers. Lark let me know he was a dentist who had just sold his practice. He originally hadn’t been sure what to do with the time off when he realized the AT was the obvious answer. In terms of what comes next career wise, he said no one knows. He wasn’t even sure which city he was looking to live in. 

Walking back to the motel (making a quick stop for candy) all I can think about is the mattress I’ll be sleeping on tonight and about how no wind should be able to reach me here. 

Key stats:

Miles: 20

Chicken parm pastas: 1