Date: 2015-06-20
From: Lost Pond Shelter

To: Hikers Hostel at Yellow Deli
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: broken clouds

It was chilly like I thought it was going to be last night. It was the first time in quite a while where I was able to see my breath even. I think it may be time to consider putting a hat back in with my clothing system.I got out of my bag and packed up as quickly as I could. I wanted to get hiking to get warm and get hiking to get into town by 4:30pm. When I actually started walking it was 7:10am, so a bit later than I¢d like. But I just put it into gear and didn¢t stop until I ate lunch or made it to a specific destination.Along the way there was a beautiful pond that the trail parallels. It¢s called Little Rock Pond and there is a beautiful shelter right there. It would be the perfect spot to spend the night if it was warm. A nice dip in the pond with the mountains in the background would be amazing.The trail also went through forest of downed spruce or large growths of pine. There were multiple boardwalks along the way, keeping me out of the slick mud. Those lower lands have been pretty muddy, making walking a bit slower.I was putting the miles down and made it to Clarendon Gorge at Route 103. There I met a woman out with a friend and their daughters. She was asking me about my trip and offered me a ride into town. It was perfect timing! If they weren¢t there I¢d have to walk a mile down the road and wait an hour for the bus to bring me into town.I was dropped off in town and checked into the Yellow Deli Hikers Hostel. It has everything I could want and is perfectly located in town. Fast food, Walmart, and Price Chopper are all a short walk away.Before I¢d resupply or even get fast food, I called Nikki. I needed to share how I¢ve been feeling lately (again) and figure out what I need to do to be ready for the final leg of this journey. Ultimately it¢s my decision if I take a couple days off or not.My decision is to take a couple days off. I think I need to take time off to refocus on my goal: complete the Appalachian Trail by hiking 2,189.2 miles. Other hikers have taken more zeros (days off) or have people to vent to. I haven¢t taken much time off and don¢t have that support system on trail. I should have taken a couple more days when I was back in CT but I was so worried about not being able to catch up with the people I know on trail. Looking back, who cares? I don¢t walk with a group so I don¢t have an implied obligation to stick with them. I don¢t have that pressure that other hikers have. That¢s a plus.The only thing that sucks is I¢d be getting picked up nearly three hours away. I know my parents are glad to assist in my trip in any way possible, but it still feels like a burden to me. It also feels like a copout for some reason. I think I¢d feel better if it were in town because it¢s not like I¢m running home. BUT, that¢s my pride, ego, or just plain stupid thoughts getting in my way. I should be happy that when I take a couple zeros I am so close to home. Other hikers are from around the country or around the world. They don¢t have that luxury of seeing family. I do.It¢s important that I hike my own hike, not on someone else¢s plan.