Date: 2003-08-01
From: Hanover, NH 

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

I slept great in the basement. It was nice and cool, and I love sleeping in my sleeping bag when it's cool. (Not that I want 20-degree temps again. 30s maybe.) I love my sleeping bag anyway. It's dirty, and probably smells bad, but I love sleeping in it. The bad news came around 6am, when it started raining. From my bed, I had a good view out the open door, and at first it was raining lightly, then it became harder and steadier. I guess that's why most were still asleep at 8:30 when I finally got moving. There's nothing more demotivating than a rainy morning, when I'm warm and dry in my sleeping bag.After changing into my smelly hiking clothes, I was ready to brave the rain. Hotdog had come alive by then and we headed out for breakfast, then I went to Dartmouth Outing Club office to use internet and phone. By the time I got back to Panarchy, the basement was alive, with some hikers packing to leave and others arriving. Hotdog has a cold, and I asked if he wanted to hike today or not. He hmmmm'ed and evaded the question, until I persisted. He didn't want to stay at Panarchy, as it looked like it was going to fill up quickly. We went back to DOC office and made some calls, finally coming up with a room in a hotel, and a taxi to the hotel.It was a nice, relaxing day. It's the kind of zero day I want. No laundry, no shopping. Just relaxing. Of course, that means I have to do a bit of shopping tomorrow before we hit the trail. Thanks to my care packages, I won't have to get much. I got my stove and pot back, and will carry them again. I didn't mind the food I had, and I didn't miss cooking, but I think I miss a lot of carbs by not cooking. I carried the weight except for the last week, and it's not much weight anyway. Also, when I get to higher elevations again, which will be real soon, I will probably want to be able to cook a hot meal. Ramen don't weigh much.It was difficult for me to take today off. I want to move north every day, and we had a day off a week ago. I know that the time off is good for me, and even a day a week off isn't much. We aren't planning another day off until Gorham, NH, which is about 145 miles away, and without today's day off, it would've been 17-20 days between days off. I guess all things happen for a reason. This unplanned zero might be the smartest thing we've done.Unfortunately, the weather report for the next 5 days doesn't sound good for views. Rain, or scattered rain. Oh well. That's nothing new, but I was trying to forget those rainy days. I want to really enjoy these New England mountains and the views they provide. But, I also want to keep moving toward the ultimate goal: Katahdin.Subman sent me email after he summitted Katahdin. I am so proud of everyone that I met before I started, and at the beginning. I don't know too many that have gone home, and that is amazing to me. Subman, A-train, Dimples, me, Hotdog, Lite Shoe, Fly, Smoothie... we're all still heading north, or in the case of Subman, A-train and Dimples, they've completed their hikes. I feel a bond with everyone I meet on the trail, especially the NOBOs, because I know what they've been through this year. I can't explain everything I've seen or felt. It just has to be experienced. I have seen things that I would never have seen. I have talked to people I never would have. I have had people help me out that are complete strangers. I wish I could keep in touch with all of these people that I have met. I appreciate all that they have done, and for the hikers I've met, I am proud of them for getting out and hiking, whether for a day or a week, or months. It's a great experience. Very difficult to explain all of the feelings.Some of us thruhikers have recently discussed whether we'd do this again. Many say 'no way'. I don't know that I could stand at Springer again, knowing what lies ahead, but I don't believe my hiking on the AT will be over. I would consider another thruhike if a close friend or family member wanted to do it. I would consider a southbound thruhike, but might do a lot more of it in dayhikes or slack-packing. I am looking forward to waking up in the morning, and not having to pack up everything I own, or do laundry and shopping. But I do not think I will be done with backpacking forever. Maybe just a long break.I know I still have a long way to go. And I know a lot can and will happen before I reach Katahdin. I am thankful for being given a chance to make it this far, and hope I get a chance to make it to Katahdin too. I am looking forward to the next two states, and the last quarter of this adventure. It's gonna be quite a ride.