Date: 2018-07-06
From: Route 9 Bennington VT mile 1610.6

To: Glastonbury Mt fire tower
Miles today: 10.3

It was really nice to be at home for a few days of rest and relaxation. I enjoyed every moment I got to spend with Brian, just being together and also celebrating our anniversary and his birthday. I made it to all the appointments that we'd scheduled before including a deep tissue massage. The owner of Serendipity Spa treated me to it because she feels I'm an inspiration to her and others. I didn't think of myself that way but I understand it more now that I think about how other hikers have inspired me. I also got to visit with a few friends and family members and I enjoyed seeing Kyle and Lisa and their new place. I even got to have breakfast with Valerie who I'd been hoping to see. A bonus was running into some good friends who were dining at the same restaurant where we celebrated Brian's birthday. And I got to spend some time with my friend Pam and see what her new space is going to be looking like when it's ready. I'm especially excited for her. I bought an mp3 player, and her son was kind enough to outfit it with music for me. I never thought I'd be someone who'd hike the Appalachian Trail with ear buds in but being home reminded me of some of the things I take for granted. I hadn't heard much music for 2 months. Hearing it made me dance in the kitchen and remember how happy it makes me. It only seems right that I can enjoy some on the trail too, especially when it's a tough day. we were up at 6: 30 a.m. and ready to leave just before 8. The first stop was Dunkin Donuts and the second stop was to drop our cat off at the vet. Once that was done we were on our way to Bennington. When we arrived at the parking lot where Pek Wan had picked us up on Saturday Thumper and my sister in law Becky and husband Dave were waiting. Thumper had gotten a ride from Dalton by a friend and skipped up the trail to hike with us. Becky was there to hike a bit with us, and Dave planned to spend some time at the trailhead parking lot with Brian providing trail magic to other hikers. Becky hiked 1. 4 miles with us to the first shelter. It was all up hill and she was such a trooper. We had a snack and some water at the shelter and when we departed she headed south toward the parking lot and we continued North. She sent me a picture later looking both elated and relieved as she reached the foot bridge near the parking area!It was a gradual climb up Glastonbury mountain almost all day. As I got closer to Goddard shelter hikers started passing me and recognizing me as Puddles. They had received trail magic from Brian and Dave and were quite happy. Apparently the trail magic included pictures of myself, River and Thumper. I arrived at the shelter around the same time as Thumper and River to find it very crowded. We decided to get water and hike a little further toward the tower at the top of Glastonbury mountain where we found a great little campsite perfect for 3 tents. It was windy and cold, but we climbed up to the top of the fire tower and experienced a 360 degree view and beautiful sunset. Totally worth going a little past the shelter. It was nice and quiet up here except the wind roaring through the pine trees. It was close to 8pm or so when we got there because we'd started at noon and spent some time hiking with Becky but we'd had a great 1st day back on trail and it felt good. I made spaghetti for dinner which was delicious and drank some electrolytes. When I brushed my teeth I used a small toothpaste I'd gotten from the dentist while I was home. The new hygienist gave me a couple and they're perfect, except it's bubble gum flavor. I'm stuck with it until I get to a town. I understand some parents may find it handy when teaching children good brushing habits, but I find I feel like I'm brushing my teeth with dessert. It just doesn't do it for me. After that disappointment I hung my bear bag ( complete with bubble gum toothpaste) from the fire tower and crawled into my chilly tent. I'm not kidding when I say it cold. It's very windy and in the low 40's. Brrrr! I first had to wash the mud off my legs so I used my water bottle cap to hydrate my compressed towels and washed. Then I put on the pajamas I had exchanged at home which are now some lightweight base layer leggings and a tank top. Then I put on clean socks and my fleece and pulled my quilt up over me. And I lay there shivering. It was 9:45. By 11 pm I had pulled my buff off my pillow and put it on my head and fastened up my quilt to be like a sleeping bag. It's designed that way but I don't often have to use it as such. Soon after the shivering thankfully stopped and I was warm. Except now my bladder was niggling at my conscience and I couldn't go to sleep. I had to pee. The wind was really howling steadily and I didn't want to go outside. So I looked around in my pack for a plastic gallon Ziploc bag. Having not located one that I felt confident wouldn't leave me mopping up my tent floor with my bandana, I put my camp sandals on and boogied out and behind my tent as quickly as I could getting it over with and me back into my little cocoon. To add to the so far sleepless night my right foot was cramping. Apparently it thought I was all done with my thru hike and it was choosing to protest having to work. I massaged it for a while and it finally gave in. Just for good measure I took 2 pm Advil and looked at my watch. 11:48. I hope the 6 hours I get are super restful. Welcome back to the trail!