Date: 2004-07-28
From: Manchester Center, VT 

To: Bromley Shelter 
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up fairly early for the breakfast at the hotel. I made a doctors appointment and checked out. They let me stash my pack and things in the breakfast room while I went to take care of all that I had to do today. Went to the doctor first. He gave me a prescription for some antibiotics to take care of Giardia or whatever I have. They don't really go through the trouble of testing thru-hikers, since we are not sticking around for results and have to keep hiking anyway. This clinic is not on my insurance company's prefered list, so it cost me 85 bucks. Damn, oh well can't keep carrying 25lbs of toilet paper. I went to Rite Aid and gave them my prescription, and then to the outfitter for my mail drop. It was not there, but they were going to the post office to check. I said I'd be back later to check on it and went on over to EMS to talk to them about my boots. Another lace hook snapped off. They called customer service for me, but they were busy and would call back. I went over to the laundrymat and put my clothes in the wash. I met Birch and Hobbs there and also saw White Squirrel. I went to lunch and came back to put my stuff in the drier. As I was doing this I saw Slim and Biscuit across the street. I went over and found out they had just gotten into town and had seen Lobstah and DS. Her phone wasn't working here so I hadn't heard from them, but I knew they'd be around today. They were all going to see a movie at 5:50pm. Back over to EMS and found out that Montrail had heard of this before and would replace or repair the boots. Since I don't have time to get them repaired, I decided to get new ones since they had my size. I wasn't sure about getting new boots this late in the game. I need to move fast to catch up to Flora & Fauna, Grass and UB. Breaking in new boots might be painful. We'll see. The guys at EMS were great and really helped me out. It was getting late and I was supposed to meet Lobstah, DS, Slim and Biscuit at the movies. By the time I went to the hotel and retrieved my pack, the outfitter had closed and I couldn't get my mail drop. oops. I got my pills and got to the movie a little late. After the movie I had to resupply. I said goodbye to DS and Lobstah. They were staying in town. Slim and Biscuit were also hiking out and said they'd see me up at the Bromley Shelter and took off. I went to the dollar store and found some deals, then the grocery to finish of buying food. While I was checking out, I started chating with a man and is kids. They were very interested in my trip and offered to drive me back to the trail. Awesome! Since it was already dark, I was very grateful. The Wilkinson's were very nice and it was great to meet them. Thanks guys!They dropped me off at the trailhead and I sat there and ate a sandwich for dinner while I packed up. Wouldn't you know, it started to rain before I even finished my sandwich. I hiked up the 2 miles in a light rain and arrived to find everyone in bed. Slim heard me and said there was room up in the loft where he was. I dried off and hit the sack. I feel like it was a long day even though I only hiked 2 miles!