Date: 2008-07-22
From: Peru Peak

To: Spruce Peak
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I left Peru this morning at 7am. My first 3 miles of the day was hiking up the rest of Peru Peak. There were a few lookout areas, but the fog was to thick to see anything. I pushed on hard and focused on getting to Manchester as early as possible. I got in to town at about 11:30am. Previously I had been thinking about my hitch and was hoping that I wouldn't have to walk too many additional miles off the trail (Manchester is aprox 4.5 miles off the AT).As I was coming out of the woods there was a woman dropping 3 guys off at the trail head. They all immediately looked at me and started laughing. Evidently right before I walked out, Julie (the woman dropping off the hikers) had said "watch another guy is going to come out and need a ride IN to town"... and there I was. I looked at them and said "are you going to Manchester by any chance"? Julie stated she was and told me to hop in.Julie hiked the AT in 2002 (or 2003 maybe?) Her trail name was "Julie", she chose not top change it. She also hiked the trail south bound and we exchanged a bunch of stories. She first brought me to a gear shop in town in order to get the address of a new hostel that had great reviews on the trail. When I walked in to the gear shop I saw Spoon across the way. He said he also wanted to go to the hostel and Julie was more than happy to accommodate. Julie gave us her cell number and told us if we needed a ride back to the trail that she could drive us. We told her that we might take her up on it.Upon entering the hostel's front door we were greeted by Mango, Gretta and Cubby. Turtle was already in town and would be staying the night as well. Mango was smashing fresh avocados and making guacamole. Cubby was making several boxes of hamburger helper with 1 lb of extra hamburg and Grettle was on the computer. These people make it really difficult to make hitting towns an in and out process. I indulged on the guacamole and helped them polish off the hamburger helper.Jeff, the owner of this brand new (opened 5 days ago), free hostel broke the news to Spoon and I that we could not stay as the hostel was already filled to capacity. I had intended on continuing on to Spruce shelter anyway and Spoon joined me in that plan. I asked Jeff if we could just do our laundry, take a shower and use his Internet that we would certainly leave a donation for his hospitality. Jeff gave me a towel for the shower and showed me where the laundry room was. He was a super nice guy.I spent much more time at the hostel and in town than expected. I called Julie and left a message hoping for a ride back to the trail. She called the hostel back and said she was on her way to dinner and would be happy to drop me off on the way. She arrived minutes later. I had just been served a giant cheese burger with dill pickles and 2 slices of deli cheese on it. I quickly wrapped the burger in a paper towel and ran for my ride.As soon as I got to the trail head I began to eat the cheese burger. It was soooo good. I ate it while I walked up Spruce Mt. and savored every bite.I am here now in Spruce Shelter. I got here just before dark at 8:30pm. Spoon was already here. He packed out a full pizza and we shared it. I packed out bananas, carrots, apples, and broccoli. He took a banana. I thought long and hard over the past few days hiking alone. I am trying to improve my diet each chance I get. I bought 4 days worth of food to get me to North Adams. I found an organic health food store in Manchester. I made 4 zip lock bags of trail mix.   Cranberries   Pomegranate   Cashews   Granola   Blueberries   Black Cherry's   Raisins   Apple   Mango   Papaya   ApricotsI also bought an organic version of a Ramen style noodle (seaweed flavor and Miso flavor). With the soups I intend to add my tuna and salmon to add more protein. I also bought tuna and salmon to eat by itself as snack and lunch. I'm done with my yoga stretches and abs tonight. I apologized out loud before beginning. I didn't want it to be awkward because everyone's head lamps were off and it is pitch black dark in here. I stated that I would be breathing heavy and making grunting sounds... just as a warning.Going to sleep, hoping for a big mile day tomorrow!   ~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"