Hello from Hanover, New Hampshire!

It’s August 17th and I’ve hiked 1747.8 miles! Since you last heard from me I’ve hiked through Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. I just arrived in New Hampshire and I’m looking forward to the notoriously challenging White Mountains ahead. It’s been absolutely gorgeous up here in the north.

The days of “flat” trail are long gone and the climbs are getting higher and more frequent as we go. But the rewards have been phenomenal!

During the hike through Massachusetts, there was a two mile detour due to a bridge that was torn down and under construction over a pretty good size river. I’d been hiking with my long time trail friend, Dirty Peanut, and a new group for a while. It was near the end of our day and we didn’t want to add two miles on to our hike; so we decided to forgo the detour and cross the river! I watched as my friend, Hollywood, went first. Dirty Peanut followed behind him. The swiftly flowing water rose well above their knees by the middle of the river, so I knew I was in for a challenge as I am much shorter than they are and also because my tent was attached to the bottom of my pack. I took off my shoes and socks so I wouldn’t have to hike the rest of the evening with soggy feet and changed into my crocs. I looked up to see that Hollywood and Dirty Peanut were almost across. Hollywood had just a few steps left when suddenly, he went down! He got up quickly and shouted that he was ok. Whew! I figured that I had to get across because I surely wasn’t adding two miles onto my day- more at this point because I’d have to back track just to get to the detour split. My friends MacDaddy and Soggy Dirt went up river to try and cross there. I decided just to go for it and Pocket Spider followed me into the water. All was going well, slow but well, until I got to the deep part and I knew I wasn’t going to be able to keep my tent dry. Hollywood and Dirty Peanut watched from the other side, realizing my dilemma. The river was moving fast and the rocks were slippery. The longer I stood there the more nervous I was getting. I needed my trekking poles to keep myself upright against the pressure of the water, so holding my pack above my head was out of the question. The water was cold and the sun had set behind the trees now. Hollywood decided to come to my rescue. He met me in the middle of the river and said to give him the pack. It was a shaky exchange as he balanced on a rock and I tried to keep my footing in the fast flowing river. He managed to get my pack on, but then he slipped off the rock! Luckily he was ok and luckily for me the pack and my tent managed to stay above the water! I started moving again and sure enough the water got deeper, soaking my shorts; but I made it! And thanks to Hollywood I had a dry tent to sleep in!

The days of chilly rains are back (to my great dismay). I was surprised with a very cold and rainy morning when I climbed Mt. Stratton in Vermont. I’m looking forward to picking up my mail drops with my warm clothes! (Thanks, Eric and Patti for sending me my cold weather gear back!) There have been several severe thunderstorms over the last few weeks as well. The heavy rains, wind, and lightning knocked down many trees along the trail. We’ve had to climb over, through, and around many fallen trees lately and it’s made me wary of where I choose to pitch my tent each night. But there’s really nothing quite as exhilarating as hiking through thunderstorms…with metal trekking poles in hand. Haha!

My trail family that formed through the Smokies has since spread out across the trail and a few more have gotten off the trail for good. Samwise, a nineteen year old from Britain, is nearing Mt. Katahdin! He’s so fast! Medkit and Genghis Khan are not far behind Dirty Peanut and myself. I am most inspired by the determination and strength of Blue. She left the trail in Virginia after losing her sister in a car accident. After taking time to be with her family, she made the courageous decision to come back to the trail and finish her hike! I cannot even tell you how proud I am to call her my friend. Her strength and gigantic heart inspire me daily. She and Forrest Gump, who took time off with her to be by her side through this difficult time, are currently making their way through Pennsylvania. Please cheer them on as they make their way through the northern section of the trail!

I have two states left to hike! But as “they” say, “When you get to New Hampshire, you’ve gone 80% of the way and you’ve done 20% of the work.” Bring on the Whites!