There was a huge breakfast waiting for us this morning when I got out of bed. There was oatmeal, eggs, yogurt, fresh bread and peach granola concoction that was incredible. I ate it all and, once again, found myself sickeningly full. 

I went through all my camp chores slowly, packing up, showering, stripping the cot. I then sat downstairs chatting for a while. I just could not get myself to get moving. Woods Hole had truly been an incredible stay and the sky was starting to drip again. I was not looking forward to a wet hike. 

At long last I headed out. Back the 0.4 miles to the trail and then up the short climb that started the day. The rain seemed to be holding off at first but the humidity was not. As I climbed I grew sweatier and sweatier. 

I stopped at a view point and thought about eating a snack. But even the thought of food sent nausea through my overly stuffed stomach so I headed on. Down, down, down. 

It was a 4,000 ft descent into town and I knew that coming into the day. I knew that today would be yet another test of my knee. It would help me see how much better it’s gotten. And, while the steps were not smooth and I winced more than once, the answer was… a lot better. It still hurts at times but I’m now able to walk in ways I wasn’t before. I think my knee is still looking forward to some time off the trail coming up, but it’s also not screaming at me to stop now. 

By the time I made it down to the main road, Woodsman (FKA rocket) had caught up to me. “It’s a bit over a mile to town,” I said. “Are we?” But I didn’t even have to say it. He just stuck his thumb out and we started waiting for our ride to come. 

10 minutes later we were in the bed of a pick up and heading towards the hostel. When the man who had picked us up, dropped us off he told us we were smart to shelter from the storm in town. “Totally,” I replied. “But what storm?” Apparently the forecast was calling for 70mph wind gusts and hail the size of half dollars (which is a terrible reference point. When is the last time you saw a half dollar coin?).

I was too ashamed to tell him we had really just decided to come to town because there was an all you can eat Chinese buffet that we had heard about at least 50 miles back. And so, 2 hours later, I sat outside of said buffet feeling as full as ever, wondering why I keep doing this to myself. 

But we still needed to pick up a few things at Walmart – another mile or two out of town. So once again, we found ourselves in a strange car. These strangers were lovely and talkative and told us that the locals were scared of hikers often. “There’s a rumor that many hikers have murdered townspeople.” But we promised not to murder them and so they happily dropped us off at Walmart. 

A ride back from another local took us (after a quick stop for a margarita) back to the hostel for a game of rummy with Still Packing and Flames. I looked over mid game and saw snoopy passed out on my bed, head tucked deep into my sleeping bag. 

It wasn’t long before he returned to his bed and I took my rightful spot. Ready for a good nights sleep. 

Key stats:

Miles: 12

Elevation gained: 1800 Dr

Mile marker: 637

Food: too much