Date: 2007-07-22
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-To

To: Leeman Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: scattered clouds

mi. 11.1dest, Leeman Brook Lean-tosleep. hammockDay 10Today ended up being one of those days. I woke up and talked to the oldercouple. They were really nice and he was checking out my tarp. I alwaysappeicate people's kind words on my handywork,I tore down my hammock and forgot to take a pic too. That is the first timethat happened. I will have to admit though a couple of the pics are of my tarponly.It got time to pack up my foodbag and I noticed another hole. Seriously peoplethese squirls, mice, chipmonks are really tallented. Back home I have never hadanything get into mine. It was even 3 feet away from any tree and 3 feet offthe ground. I think they take a flying leap and land on it and just my jetboilto grab on. Now that I ate most of my food, I'll have to put it in next time.Today it just dawned on my that I hiked through mile 100 of my hike. Ten daysin. I think southbounders really have it harder in this respect. I could andshould have taken a zero day, but that would have ment more food or a zero atwhitehouse landing.Well like I started off today was one of those days. I really wanted to make itto the shelter so that I would be only 3 miles from my hitch into Monson. Themiled went really slowly. I think the past 100 miles really taken a toll on me. I started hiking at about 7:30am and did not make it to the shelter until around6:30pm. I did take a couple long breaks too.I also had my second ford today. i reall really really really need to pick upsome camp/river crossing shoes. That is going to top my list in monson.I was a couple miles from the shelter and my ankle started hurting. Lets reviewnow first my right knee, then my back, then my left knee, and now my left ankle. This has been some tough miles. Everything else is feeling fine though.It started king of out of no where. I did not roll it or do anything strange. But lets just say the last bit was pretty rough going. During this time I wentthrough just about every emotiom I could think of. From feeling like I want topuke and cry from how it felt, to made at myself, to wondering if this would bewhat ends my hike.Part of me said I should stop, but most of me said keep going. I figured thedamage was done. If I got to the shelter and it felt too bad to hike on in themorning I would be in a good place to talk to people, if not i would be allalone.Side not the hammock just moved about 4 inches I think it was either my packmoving or my webbing stretching, It scared the crap out of me each time ithappens. Enough that a few choice words come out. But I didn't touchdown, soall is good.I finally pulled up to the shelter hoping there would to someone to talk to andvent about all of this. I lucked out and there was. I caught up with asoutherbounder by the name of James. I cool guy. Better yet he is using ahennessy. He is also about at his breaking point and is having problems withhis knee. Seriously the only thing better would have been to pull up to acertain someone with food and beverages.We had a good conversation and he actually put up with and understood where Iwas coming from. He got here at 2pm and said that was enough. He also had acampfire going which helps me relax even more.I went down, a good bit down the trail and down some rocks, and soaked my ankle. I think that helped out a lot.I got a lot of time to sit and relax and think about how far I have come. Thissection is diffintly hard and not to be taken litely. I think I weathered itfairly well. I think I am going to back off the mileage some. I am thinking 10miles per day max for the next week or so.Tomorrow I only have to hike in 3 miles to the road. The plan is to wake upearly and try to get there before Shaw's is done serving beakfest. After that Iam going to shower, to laundry and just relax. I want to give my ankle plentyof time to heal. It is a little swollen, but not too bad. I took soem vit I. Hopefully that will do it's job.Like I said today was one of those days. I went through just about everyemotion I have and am ending up in a good place.