Date: 2003-07-31
From: Thistle Hill Road 

To: Hanover, NH 
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

I awoke, knowing that soon I'd be headed not only for real food in less than 5 miles, not only for a town in less than 15 miles, but that I'd be leaving Vermont and going into New Hampshire. I was excited about that! And, once I got out of my sleeping bag, I was ready to get rolling. Hotdog and I left around 8:30, and Flip was not far behind.I took off at a good pace, and stopped after about an hour and a half for a break. I heard Hotdog and Flip come up the hill behind me and Flip said "Do you want to take a break here?" and 'Dog said "Yes." From where I was sitting, about 30ft away, I said "Why don't you take a break over here?" So they walked an extra 30ft and plopped down near me.After the break, we headed on, hiking together. We saw Bree who was slacking south, since her parents were visiting. She said we weren't farther than a mile and a half from the country store and snack bar. That helped pick up the pace! At the store, I had a grilled ham and cheese, some chips, a Gatorade, chocolate chip cookies, and some Whoppers. I also bought some snacks to get me the 10 miles to Hanover. We spent about 45 min at the store, and moved on.Again, I kept up a good pace, and was about to take a break when I was a sign that said "Happy Hill Shelter 1.0mi". I was surprised I was that close to it, and went there for my break. It was only 3.5mi to Elm Street, in Norwich, VT, which is where a long roadwalk to Hanover begins. When we reached the road, I felt like I was there, even though it was over 2mi to Dartmouth College in Hanover. Road walks don't seem to count as trail miles to me, even when the trail goes there. That's a good thing, I suppose, for that means the miles are still passing and I don't realize it.I was looking forward to getting to Hanover, but after being here for just a little bit, I was looking forward to getting back to the woods. I feel like I don't belong. It's not the people; they are nice and polite. I think it's just the hustle of the town. Hotdog and I went to the office of the Dartmouth Outing Club to ask about hostel or other places to stay. They gave us directions to a place called Panarchy, and we stopped by the Post Office before going there. I got some letters and packages, just like Christmas! It means so much to get these things. Just a note is all I expect, but I got goodies and some money too. Thank you to everyone!At Panarchy, hikers can stay in the basement for free and use the bathroom with shower and kitchen on the first floor. The basement has mattresses and couches on the floor and all over, so I put my pack on one, and 'Dog chose his, and we went to eat. After dinner, phone calls, and email, we went back to Panarchy, where I took a shower. Aaahhh... a shower. I didn't bother with laundry, as there is none available here and I didn't want to go find a dorm to do laundry. I was tired.I ended up talking to some other hikers until 10 or so, and finally fell asleep. There are mostly NOBOs here (2x4 and his dog, Patience, Hungry Hiker, Hotdog, and myself), one SOBO, and two kids who are leaving the trail today to go back to school. It's nice and cool here in the basement, so I should get a good night's sleep.This is the end of my 5th month on the AT. Wow! At times it seems like yesterday, and at other times, it seems like forever. I still have a long way to go, even though two ladies dayhiking today told me "You about have it licked." There are a lot of mountains between here and Katahdin. I hope I am fortunate enough to hike them all, especially Katahdin. I'll just keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep walking north.