Date: 2003-08-02
From: Imp Campsite

To: Route US 2 (Gorham NH Royalty Inn)
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Gorham NH Royalty Inn) 8.0 miles Sat 8/2 MotelDay 142 Avg Mls/Day 13.2Weather: Rain in the morning in the mountains, then mostly cloudy, humid. High in low 80's.Today's Nature: I have to give the toads the nod. For some reason saw more today and one had unusual color.Falls: Today 0 Total 8It rained most of the night, or at least it seemed like it. Whenever I woke up it was raining. It did stop just before daybreak.Got up at 6 and started hiking by 7. I wasn't on the Trail 10 minutes and the rain started up again. I was climbing up Middle Moriah Mtn (3,620') so it may have just been raining at the higher altitudes. Anyway, it was on and off with the emergency rain parka. I am too warm with it on, but it does keep the backpack dryer.After Moriah it was downhill to route 2 (760'). Because it was wet it was slow going until the Trail levelled off the last couple of miles.At route 2 it took me about 10 minutes to hitch a ride. It was Todd, a real nice fellow who was headed out to do some hiking himself. I believe he said he was headed for a hike up Mt Washington...I wished him luck. Had a nice chat before he dropped me off at the Royalty Inn. Thanks again Todd!Checked in and went down the street for lunch. For some reason I had more of an appetite yesterday and today than usual. Went to Mr. Pizza for a great pizza.The motel has an indoor pool and hot whirlpool spa. So, I decided to massage my feet in the spa before doing laundry and visiting the outfitter. Felt good.I may not have mentioned it but my 2nd pair of boots are wearing out. These are my 2nd pair of Asolo's and both boots are separating along the outside front stitch. The outfitter here carries Lowa Gore-tex hiking shoes. I tried on a pair of size 11's...they felt good so I decided to make the switch for the last 300 miles. I also purchased some leather treatment and spent the next hour or so rubbing it on the leather surface. Also picked up some spare batteries.After doing the laundry and talking to Julia, went back to "steak night" at Mr. Pizza's. Had the best steak so far on the Trail...a 16 porterhouse. I can see why Gorham is a popular town with hikers.An update on a couple of fellow thru-hikers. Charlie returned to the Trail in Bennington VT on Tuesday, I believe, having addressed his knee issue. It sounds like the rest helped and he'll be able to finish.Received a nice personal email from Mule. When I got it, he was going on 3 weeks of disability related to giardia, saminella and a 3rd unidentified illness for which they were running tests. They hadn't pinned it down, but it could be Lyme Disease. He still plans to return to the Trail once he gets this behind him. I have to say I've not met a more courageous determined young man. He has a great attitude considering what he's gone through. Most would have said, "forget it!"The weather doesn't look good for the entire week ahead. Since the next zero I had scheduled after Gorham was 15 days hence, I may take one here tomorrow where there is good food and decent room rates. I still need to pick up a few things.Thought for the Day. Some have it harder than others.