It was wet and cold again this morning. But unlike yesterday where that caused me to power through my morning routine. I put on my raincoat and sweatshirt and slowly moved about my chores. Taking longer than ever to take down my hammock and make breakfast. 

I set off and pretty quickly ran into Caleb – the guy from the cult hostel who had had Lyme disease – sitting on the the side of the trail eating breakfast with his friend. He said he was feeling MUCH better since starting the medication. He was not 100% but could do 20 mile days again and had much more energy. He was so excited to be back and I couldn’t blame him. It must have been so disheartening to have his body fail on him like it had for a while. 

But even with a not 100% body, he and his friend (who I think was named Jamie!!) shot off ahead of me and left me in their dust. I was still wearing my gloves, trying to warm up and they seemed to be well warm enough. I plodded my way upwards and was greeted at the top by a sign that I had climbed moose mountain! Given my childhood nickname of Moose, you bet I got a few photos. 

I descended down just to climb a PUD of a mountain and descend it again. I scared off another bear with my masculine energy (I assume) as I careened over the top of the mountain and began the downhill towards the road. 

When I got to the road, I stuck my thumb out. I had only done 9 miles but that was the plan for the day. A short day, a hitch to town and then my friend Tanya would pick me up for a weekend off trail in Killington. I was excited! 

But no cars drove by. A group of day hikers showed up and said if I was still there in a few hours when they came back, they would drive me to town. But that was the closest I came to getting a ride for 30 minutes. I was about to give up and walk the three miles to town (there was no service to even call Tanya and ask if she could pick me up) when a pickup slowed in front of me. 

Deb told me to hop in. We chatted on the way to town and she told me she was local. She also told me of the Kilham bear center – a local facility which takes in orphan bear cubs and nurses them to health before returning them to the wilderness. The bear I had seen this morning was likely one who had been raised there or was at least the result of some who had been. Very cool! 

Tanya pulled into town just as I arrived. After a quick snack followed by a full lunch (and dessert), she whisked me away to our other friend Justine’s house in Killington where we’ll spend the weekend not hiking the AT! 

Key stats:

Miles: 9

Elevation gained: 2600 ft

Mile marker: 1773

Weekend goal: calories