Date: 2009-07-10
From: Gorham, NH - Hiker's Paradise Hostel

To: Gorham, NH - Hiker's Paradise Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Fri Jul 10, Day 122. I¢m taking a Zero Day here in Gorham, staying at the Hiker¢s Paradise again, just kinda bumming around. Resting the legs for the southern portion of Maine which I hear is another brutal, brutal section of trail. We go through Mahoosuc Notch, reputedly ¢The Toughest Mile on the AT¢ with house size boulders to scramble. I¢m told a lot of the places you have to take off your backpack to crawl through the little cracks underneath the rocks. So we¢ll see how that goes. Pray for good weather. I hope we get good views in Maine because I hear it¢s stunning and I want to see some Maine scenery and perhaps a couple of moose! The Hikers ParadiseClick on picture to see full sizeToday I rested, walked to the library, spent some time on the internet, made it to the store and outfitter. Repacked. Called Bruce (Golden Waldo) Ferge for a shuttle to the AT trailhead from McDonalds at 0630 tomorrow morning. Onward to Maine!I received a call from Longshot and he is planning on meeting up with me on the trail and hike through Maine. I can't wait for that.Now to the bad news. Last Monday 7/6 Hot Wheels took a spill coming down Mt. Madison. He fell about 3-4 feet and landed on his back. His backpack took most of the fall but a couple days later he started complaining of pain on the right side of his chest. "Vitamin I" didn't touch the pain and it progressively got worse. When we got to the trailhead at Gorham an old hiking buddy named Caribou pulls up in his car. He saw us there and decided to stop and say hello. Long story short, he took Hot Wheels to the same hospital I went to (Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin, NH) and after a series of x-rays the doctor said he had a broken rib near his sternum. It will take 6 weeks to heal and the doctor warned that if he continued to hike the rib may break further and cause internal injuries. Not good!Hot Wheels did the right thing and is going home via a flight out of Boston, MA. He got on a bus to Boston this morning to pick up his flight.He's bummed that his hike ended this way and I'm bummed that I'm losing a great hiking partner. But, the good news is he will finish and after 6 weeks Maine will probably be dried out for his summit up Katahdin! I wish him well. Hot Wheels, get well soon, come back and finish up your hike and touch that Katahdin sign. Hot Wheels gets the quick cure! Souvenir for Hot Wheels Spokes and Hot Wheels at the Gorham Bus Station Packing light for the trip home Greyhound driver accepts Hot Wheels' trail moneyTidbits and Observations:T&O One: I reflected today about the stuff called "Trail Magic" and came to the realization that there is some fantastic force helping us thru-hikers. Golly, it just couldn't be a coincidence. We've had our share of late like the visit from Longshot when my eye was swollen shut, the offer by High Top to take us to Concord, NH to dry out when the rain got REALLY REALLY bad, and Caribou showing up at the trailhead to take Hot Wheels to the hospital. Phenomenal! I can't explain it but deep in my heart I know this stuff exists for a reason.T&O Two: Thanks everyone for your words of encouragement. It's been so much fun reading the Guest Book entries. You¢ve written a lot of great motivational stuff that really gives me a lot of energy. Reading the entries reminds me to take this hike slow and savor every moment. Before long it will be over............Vincer2! Vincer2! Vincer2!p.s. Under 300 miles to go... Click here for audio journal