Miles today: 6.9
Total miles: 298.3
TOWN TODAY! The thought of getting to town is always a huge motivator. As I hike towards town, I begin fantasizing about the burger I will devour, the soft bed I’ll sleep in, the hot shower I will take, and the clean clothes I’ll have after doing laundry. I wasn’t feeling well this morning, but these thoughts helped occupy my mind as I climbed the two mountains on the way into Gorham. An added bonus was that my wonderful parents would be meeting me in Gorham, so that helped the miles fly by.
I got to town by about 10 am after leaving around 630. It was a weird entry into town–usually the trail crosses a road and if you want to go into town you stop at that road and hitchhike into town. But Gorham was different. The trail actually followed a few roads, so I followed white blazes that were on the backs of street signs, walking by houses with cars passing me. I was very confused and thought I was going the wrong way a couple times. I also must have looked very homeless, all dirty walking with my backpack along the roadside.
I got to town and waited for my parents to arrive. It’d been a month since they dropped me off at Katahdin and in some ways it seems like just yesterday. But when I think of all that has happened and how far I’ve walked it seems like ages ago. Also, now, to trace my progress on a map you actually have to move your finger a little bit, rather than just place your finger and the distance I’ve walked be entirely covered by your fingertip. I was so excited to see my mom and dad and give them big smelly hugs. It was also nice to introduce my hiking family to them.
I’ve spent the past day and a half catching up with my parents, relaxing, and eating a lot (obviously). It’s been so nice and refreshing. I’m very content here and somewhat don’t want to get hiking again–mainly because the next section is going to be very difficult. We have the White Mountains of New Hampshire ahead of us. It’ll be miles and miles up huuuuge ups and downs day after day.
Also, there aren’t shelters in the Whites as there have been along the entire trail. There are some limited campsites and then there are huts. The huts are intended more for families and weekend hikers, who dish out big bucks (in the range of nearly $100) to stay in these huts in the mountains with no frills. Thru-hikers have the option of trying to do a work for stay in these huts. A work for stay is when you do chores, like washing the dishes, in exchange for getting a spot to sleep on the floor in the hut. However, these work for stay spots are super competitive–there are far more thru-hikers than work for stay availability. You can’t count on getting to a hut and getting to stay there, so you may get there and be told it’s full and you’ll have to hike on. I’m nervous about this uncertainty in addition to the tough terrain. At the same time, I’m excited for the beautiful views and to be in a place where I’ve hiked before. It’s comforting to be in the Whites, a place where I’ve hiked a bit and it feels familiar. It’ll be a tough week or week and a half, perhaps the toughest of the trip, so I’m both excited and nervous. Wish me luck!