Date: 2021-06-27
From: Gorham 

To: Gorham
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I took the picture above back in Canaan last week. The bear in the picture had come up behind me as I was talking with my sister.  It was about 40 feet away when I turned around, then turned and trotted up the driveway and then into the woods. I¢ve now spied more bear run deer since I left New Jersey. I survived my night surrounded by the glassy-eyed soulless dolls in the 80 degree attic room at the B&B, so points for that. Decided yesterday that today would be a zero day here in Gorham but the hostel was already booked, so I made a reservation at a local hotel with good reviews and an even better hiker rate.  Paul, the owner/operator of The Barn Hostel let Quiksilver, Iceberg and I stay in the common room of the hostel until 11 which made for a relaxing morning. Paul runs a good hostel and was very accommodating to everyone there. Had lunch at a BBQ place and Wrong Way joined us as she was also taking a zero to heal a balky quad muscle.  After lunch we  checked into our rooms and I vegged most of the afternoon and made a few phone calls.  Then dinner and back to the hotel.  We have a shuttle coming at 7am to go back to the trail for two days as we have some climbs coming in the Wildcats.  My goal over the next 300 miles is to stay healthy, hike smart, and get myself safely to Virginia by the end of July to tackle the last third of my AT hike.I feel good.  I¢m enjoying the challenges that happen every day and get constant reminders about what I can control and what I can¢t control.  The good news is that this is still fun and I want to enjoy every moment I¢m out here .New Jersey hiker Easy asked in the guest book what my thoughts were on the hammock versus tent after the halfway point.  I haven¢t had a bad night sleep in the hammock and have been able to find a camping spot in some less than ideal terrain. Three times I¢ve set up on a severe slope and around the same number I¢ve been able to hang over rocks and roots where a tent could not have gone. So far in the Whites, I¢ve been able to hang, but it does require some planning as you can¢t hang a hammock where there are no trees. I do have some concerns as I move in to Maine about finding suitable campsites, but so far, so good. Not having a sleeping pad does mean that I¢m not equipped to stay in a shelter. So far, that hasn¢t been an issue - but it has been a concern in the back of my mind that if I am forced into a shelter I¢m going to have an uncomfortable night. It probably took me about three weeks to get really comfortable with the set up the hammock and tarp - I¢ve used the tarp every night as I don¢t want to deal with damp gear from the dew or dripping sap from trees. I¢ve now set up in the rain and taken down in the rain and have been able to keep my dry gear dry.  I also don¢t have to deal with packing a wet tent or rain fly. I keep my tarp in the outside pocket of my pack, so even if that¢s wet it doesn¢t contact my other gear.  I do miss the tiny home with walls that you get with a tent. I don¢t have the space to spread out my gear or do a repack in the rain with some protection. But I¢ve had no regrets about choosing the hang versus sleep on the ground. It¢s also given me a lot of flexibility when it comes to stealth camping when needed. One hiker¢s opinions, but I do love my hammock!