There was another day of hiking but I’m too lazy to write up what happened. Yesterday we walked 10.5 miles then got to town!!! Monson, Maine! The end of the 100 mile wilderness, the longest stretch of the AT without a town. It was so exciting to have reached such a milestone.
Thorny had his car so he drove the stinky bunch of us into town. We checked into a hostel which is right on a lake and felt like heaven. It was a relief to take off my hiking shoes and put on my flip flops. I took a shower for the first time in ten days and did laundry. I can’t remember the last time I felt so clean. I’d lost a bunch of weight from burning SO many calories each day and not possibly being able to eat enough to replenish them so I did my best to make up for that by eating a ton. A cheeseburger and fries never tasted so good. Thorny and Popeye drove us into Greenville, the next town over today to get some supplies. I stocked up on lots of stuff to care for my blisters and got new shoes that already feel better on my feet. The best worst uncle ever sent me food he that he selflessly made me and my parents sent some too so due to their kindness I didn’t even have to spend a second worrying about my upcoming meals. Being in town, while tough on my wallet, has been a much needed physical and mental break. My blisters still hurt but are getting slowly better and I feel much more rested and reenergized.
Everyone in town and the other hikers staying here have been so incredibly kind and welcoming and I can already tell that my favorite part of the AT will likely be the people I meet.
We head out hiking again tomorrow morning (after an all you can eat breakfast of course). I’m excited to get going again (and to be carrying less food). Thanks to everyone for their kind words and encouragement. They help far more than you may realize.