Date: 2016-09-06
From: Tom Leonard Shelter

To: Laurel Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: clear sky

I have now walked 1,700 miles, and have less than 500 to go. At this point in my trek, my gear, and I, have been visited time and again by those twin signs of overuse, Wear and Tear. My camp shirt is ripped, my hiking shorts torn, my watch is flapping around without one of its pins, and my gaiters are in need of some major TLC. As for me, my knees have been amply journalized, my legs are getting more tired with each passing week, and it now takes me a bit longer in the morning to unfurl myself from my tent. With all these signs of wear and tear, I've taken to carrying as little weight on my back as I can. I have sent home anything I don't absolutely need, and I now carry no more than four days of food at a time. Leaving Cheshire, MA, last Saturday, I had that four days of food, even though it would take me six days to reach Cornwall Bridge, CT, where Alison was again planning to meet me. As part of her visit, she would bring to me a food resupply box. So, leaving Cheshire, I needed to either make my four days of food last longer, or duck into a town along the way to resupply. I decided to try to stretch my four days of food to a fifth day and stop tomorrow (Wednesday) to resupply in Salisbury, CT, since it was an easy half mile from the trail. In hindsight, this wasn't a great plan, especially since I put in 21 miles yesterday, and planned another 19 today. As I started out from Tom Leonard Shelter today, I was feeling the twin effects of not enough food, and yesterday's 21 mile day. Fortunately, there was indeed water at the shelter, so at least I was well hydrated. The first nine miles of the day were fairly flat, at least by AT standards. The second half of the day would prove otherwise, as I had to climb Mt. Bushnell, Mt. Everett and Mt. Race. Now, no one would confuse these for White Mountains peaks, but each was rocky and relatively steep, and I had to ultimately climb 1,800 feet to reach the summit of Mt. Everett. Relying on trail angel water about midday, I reached that point where the trail was about to turn up. Coming to a road crossing, I found a gathering of thru-hikers, which could only mean one thing: trail magic. Before I had enough time to completely ferret out what was happening, I heard someone ask if anyone knew the hiker, "Blue". Now close enough to answer for myself, I replied, not knowing yet who had asked. It took me a second, but I then picked out two familiar faces from the gathering. Only these two faces weren't hikers, they were the trail angels, and, better yet, they were my friends, Deb and Steve, on whose advice and expertise Alison and I have relied for almost ten years. Completely surprising me, Deb and Steve drove down from Waltham, MA, to put on a trail magic spread the likes of which I had not seen before. I was quickly in tears, touched by their kindness and generosity. With Deb leading the way, the assembled gang of hikers was soon feasting on sandwiches, fruit, cookies, soda, chips and more. Deb and Steve had also brought out folding chairs, and we got to enjoy our food in uncharacteristic comfort. With my stomach running on relative empty, I had a luscious turkey sandwich, an apple, watermelon, chocolate chip cookies, Oreos, carrots and celery, and three small cans of Coke. After sitting for the better part of an hour, I said my good-byes and thanked Deb and Steve profusely. It was so nice of them to come out to share my journey with me, and, better yet, to come bearing food!With a full stomach and my energy levels bolstered by sugar and caffeine, Mts. Bushnell, Everett and Race were no match for me. Like Tigger of Pooh fame, I bounced up the trail, enjoying every minute of the climbs. Arriving at Laurel Ridge Campsite, I found my first flowing stream in days, just a lovely, lovely water source. What a way to end a spectacular day!