Date: 2013-07-06
From: Trident Col Campsite

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 6.9

DAY 27MILES ON AT FOR DAY- 6.9MILES TOTAL FOR DAY- 7.1Today was the day to get into Gorham! We woke up soooo early. We were up at 4am, scampering around in the dark trying to get our stuff together. I think it was one of the first times I really had to use my headlamp! Although getting up so early sucked, it made for a beautiful hike into town with the sun rising while heading over Cascade Mt. and Mt. Hayes. We were also able to see Mt. Washington on top of each mountain. My Uncle Mike pointed it out and I couldn't even believe that we were already so close to what first brought me to the trail!We made fantastic mileage into town. So much so that we ended up getting to the road 2 hours ahead of schedule! The terrain wasn't too tough but we were eager for civilization! It was weird because as we got close to the road, some day hikers were coming in and you could literally smell the soap on them. You could smell them before they got to you and that they were clean! I'm sure it's the same for them but on the opposite end of the spectrum. God I hadn't showered in 10 days now! I did put on some fresh clothes I hadn't worn yet though since I was seeing my boyfriend so hopefully that helped Since we were so early we walked down to White Mountains Lodge and Hostel which was on the AT to grab a ride into town. We got dropped at Welch's and headed in for breakfast. We must've smelled or just looked weird (which I find highly unlikely in a hiker town) because every single person turned and looked at us when we walked in. We had the staff stick us in the back corner so we wouldn't disturb anyone with our stinkiness or our ferocious eating. While at breakfast, Nick showed up (my boyfriend). I ran outside and couldn't have been happier to see him after a month! We finished up breakfast and then brought Nightwalker to the post office. After that we dropped Nightwalker at the hostel, met up with my Dad and Rita who took my Aunt and Uncle to their car, and then hit up the Gourmet Coffee Shop. I got my 3rd iced coffee of the day. It was something I was obviously missing on the trail haha.It was an hour and a half ride back to Meredith, NH where my mom and stepdad live and it was beautiful. Nick and I got to catch up and I couldn't stop staring at all the huge mountains towering over the roads we drove on on either side. I would be hiking those in a few days! It was incredible!When we got to my moms house we exchanged big hugs and some stories before it was time to hit the pool. With a beer in hand and a floaty under me, I couldn't have been happier. Just floating around in the water staring at the clear, blue sky. I already knew the AT was starting the change my perspective for the better.After turning into a prune in the pool, it was time for an official form of bathing... a shower! It was incredible. Never again will I go that long without showering! It felt so weird to put on the "real" clothes that my boyfriend had brought for me from a suitcase of stuff I had put aside before I left. It was weird but it was nice. My blue jeans and T-shirt were now so unfamiliar compared to the synthetic materials I had been wearing everyday. I forgot how much I loved cotton! I also noticed how easy it was to pull on my skinny jeans. After looking in a full length mirror for the first time in a month, I could really see that I had lost weight. My waist was the smallest it's ever been. When I stepped on the scale, it showed what I could see... I had lost 8lbs.On that note, it was off to my brother Andrew's birthday dinner! He was turning 22 years old 2 days from then and since my dad was up, we were going to dinner! We went to a place called The Common Man. It was a big crew of me, Nick, my Dad, Rita (his fianc©), my Aunt and Uncle, and my brother Andrew and his two friends Luke and Dan. It was nice to recap on the hike and catch up... Oh yea... And dinner was amazing using utensils and air conditioning is also something to be thankful for! After dinner I was stuffed for the first time in probably a month! Even though it had been a short day I was exhausted, probably from waking so early and from the excitement of getting home and seeing everyone! We said our goodbyes which was bittersweet after leaving the trail. My Aunt and Uncle would be the last to join me for a bit on the trail until I drew someone else in! Hopefully my brother or my mom! After that we just went home, hit the hot tub, and then hit the hay. I got to sleep in a bed, in MY bed. And it was incredible