Date: 2008-07-01
From: manchester, nh

To: gorham, nh
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

Well, I got a little bored so I'm doing another entry the day before I hit the trail again. A total of 14 non-hiking days. Quite a bit. At least I made it past the Whites before I got off. Meant to exercise on my break, but that worked until the second day...A couple highlights:A week on Hilton Head Island in a condo just off the beach. Every day was 95 and sunny. That is actually quite nice weather when you are on the water and not pouring sweat going up hills.Drove for the first time in over 4 months. That was different. Weirder than that was flying out to Pittsburgh from Manchester New Hampshire. My first leg went to DC, and in an hour and ten minutes, I figure I undid a month and a half of walking. Felt odd getting on the bus and plane after not really riding in a car for more than 5 minutes for the last four months, and maybe once a week at that. Went almost a month one time with no car rides.Back to AC, music, the internets, and I actually used my phone a little. My phone rang a few times and I didn't even realize it until the 4th or so ring. Lost a lot of calls.It was nice to get off and heal up for a bit, but part of me really wanted to just keep going. I would probably be done today or so if I had pushed on, but I would miss the opportunity for Hilton Head and wouldn't be able to meet back up with ToddyBear and Stovie.Tons of food at my fingertips. I gained some weight, though I wasn't trying not to. I did lose some weight in the Whites and was a little too skinny, so I wanted to add some back since the first part of Maine is supposed to be a little rough too. Actually a little heavier than I started out at currently, but that will probably fall.Flew into Manchester last night at ten PM, and my bus left at 5pm, so it was another night in the airport. Luckily I had it scoped out this time and I captured a recliner in a corner and actually got a couple hours of sleep, I think. Noone bothered me again.Read a couple magazines cover to cover and did some surfing and started at the wall for a long time and it was finally time for me to escape the clutches of the airport.Walked up to the PO to send TB back his overbag that he let me use. Turns out it was right next door to Wal-Mart. Score, I needed a food resupply and breakfast. Got both and enjoyed some Little Debbie's.I figured at this point, I would just aimlessly meander like I did last time I was here. Walked out or Wal-Mart and there was a Toyota/Scion dealer. I am currently out of a car and will be getting one when I get back, so I figured I would take yet another look at a couple cars. Noone came to help me there, but I wasn't surprised. Got the info I needed from the brochures.There was a Honda dealer next door. Sounds like stop 2. Took another look at a couple cars there, and also discovered a new possibility, though not likely. Its amazing, the dealers up here actually have manuals.The Nissan dealer was next to Honda, so you get the picture.Hit the L.L.Bean Outlet for a new bandanna to replace my dearly departed one {taken by the waves}.On to the mall. Got fuel and chilled in the food court for most of the morning. Hot outside anyways.I decided since I was near a Chinese buffet I would take a late lunch and stuff myself so it would cover dinner. Turned out to be an awesome decision. This place was by far the best Chinese buffet I have ever laid my eyes on. This sushi was very good, I would say this place ranks number 4 or 5 on my all time list. They also had whole crayfish, whole octopus, fried calamari, and fried bananas along with the traditional buffet spread. Even the normal spread tasted fantastic. I think I did 6 plates and a bowl of soup. It was well worth my $7. Incredible food.The problem now was I had to walk 4 miles with a ready to burst stomach {my pack hip belt doesn't help in this situation} in 90 degrees in the sun.Made it to the bus station and actually met another NOBO who was just getting back on the trail in Hanover. Snoopy. Got a little news from behind. We hiked with some of the same people at times.Hopped a bus to Concord where I switch and head to Gorham. Should get there around 9:30TBear and Stovie are in a motel right next to the bus stop so we are for sure meeting up and continuing on together. That will be great since it is always more enjoyable hiking with others, though I'm obviously fine soloing.Back to the trail tomorrow. Don't know how that's gonna go.I put some pictures in my album if anyone is interested.