Day 46 on the Trail

Dave's shelter tonight is on top of a mountain, which is unusual.  Fortunately, he had good cell service!

As of 7/31/11:
Miles today - 11.0
Miles to date - 540.9

He said he had gorgeous mid-70s weather, a not-so-difficult hike, and very pretty views.  He also said there was nothing exciting to report, not even any wildlife.  He's at the Moose Mountain Shelter near Grafton, NH, elevation 1850'.

When he was in Hanover, and wanted to mail a food box to Franconia Notch, he called a motel, asked if he could get a room next weekend and if he could send a package there.  The answers were yes and yes.  Today he told Country Gold he had a room, and CG could share it with him ... and it would be a good place to have his friend pick him up (to take him to wherever he was going next).  CG seems to be wavering, as now he's not sure he wants to go home.  Dave said CG needs to start taking responsibility for himself, and Dave finds himself helping out too often.  Maybe next weekend will be the end.


Marianna McKim sent me pictures of Dave as he left their home this morning -- Thank you, Marianna!

The first picture is of Dave with Marianna and Reinhart's daughter Emma, who is 6 years old.  What a cutie!!!

The second picture is Dave, Marianna and Emma.  What do you think about the beard?

Day 45 on the Trail - In NH

I'm going to combine Dave's Day 45 - Friday 7/29 when he crossed into NH - and Saturday 7/30 when he took Zero Day #4.  We spoke for just a few minutes Friday night, but had a 35 minute conversation today.

As of 7/29/11:
Miles today - 9.6
Miles to date - 529.9

Dave said his Friday walk, from the nice backyard campground in West Hartford, VT, to Hanover, NH, was quick and easy.  A neighbor of ours here in Savannah, Clint McKim, insisted Dave call his daughter who lives in Hanover.  Thanks to Marianna, her husband Reinhardt and their daughter Emma's generosity, Dave is staying with them for two nights.  He has showered, had his laundry done, was treated to a fabulous out-of-the-garden dinner, fresh fruit in his room and very friendly conversation.  My cousin Denise's son Alex lived in Hanover until just a few days ago.  We met Alex last April and Dave was sorry he wasn't able to connect with him again.

Solomon Goretex boots

One of the first things Dave did after reaching Hanover was to go to the Post Office.  He picked up the two boxes of food I sent him, and a package from REI - new boots.  The only problem with his old ones was a lacing grommet that came apart.  He called REI about 3 weeks ago to tell them, as he was concerned the laces would eventually cut through the leather.  They offered to send him a new pair, and will credit his account when they receive the old ones.  Dave has been walking around Hanover in his new boots, which he said feel pretty stiff compared to his broken-in ones.

Today Dave reviewed the food he has in his pack and boxes, supplemented it with more snack food (dried fruit, protein bars, nuts, etc.) and chose what he thinks should last him just over a week.  He mailed the rest of it to himself at Franconia Notch, NH, where he should arrive in 7-8 days.  He also mailed his camp shoes (the 5-toed ones) and a few other items he can do without for two weeks to Gorham.  He wants his pack as light as possible for his trek in the White Mountains.   I will be mailing his next food box to Gorham.  Dave went to a food co-op to do his shopping, and said everything looked so good he ended up with 2-3 pounds more food than he needs.  His pack is now 31-32 pounds, an easily manageable weight at this point.

Dave on the Trail

Off the Trail and still eating Little Debbies

The one snack food Dave could not find was his favorite Little Debbie's coffee cakes.  He said the food at the co-op was too healthy for anyone to carry Little Debbie's.  He likes them because they offer so many calories in such a light package.  I told him he will have to drastically alter his eating when he gets off the trail.

Country Gold is staying at a shelter Dave found for him.  Hanover seems to be a very welcoming town to hikers.  Several different places offered free coffee, bagels, ice cream, etc. if you are a through-hiker.  Country Gold was making the rounds of these establishments while Dave enjoyed homemade guacamole, sautéed squash, salad from the garden, blueberry pie and ice cream at Marianna McKim's home.

Dave is treating them to dinner tonight.

Country Gold has texted Dave several times today, making sure he will meet him at the Post Office tomorrow morning to start back on the trail.  I said, Is he afraid you will leave without him?  Dave said, Probably so.  There was a bit of a mix up already.  They were supposed to meet at the Post Office at 10 AM today, and although Dave waited for over half an hour, CG didn't show up.  When Dave was returning to the PO to mail his boxes, he texted CG to say he would be there again.  CG did show up that time, and said he was 'late' last time because someone asked if he was a hiker, they started talking, the stranger offered to buy him a cup of coffee - and so he just didn't meet Dave.

I asked if CG was still wearing Dave's do-rag and if Dave ever told him it was his. He said he did eventually tell him, and CG offered to give it back, but Dave said, It looks better on you than me, and it looks horrible on you.

Downtown Hanover

Dave was having a nice relaxing day with beautiful high 70º weather, catching up on the news and snoozing.  He had lunch in town and ran into other hikers, some he had met before and some were new faces.  He said CG is now planning to get off the trail in Franconia Notch.  I think Dave is (finally) ready to find another hiking companion.  Dave said CG is a really good guy, but he is needy and Dave prefers a more independent buddy.  Yes!

Day 44 on the Trail

Dave had perhaps one of his best days of hiking, feeling great, getting good mileage and he felt he could have gone farther but stopped where he did due to the great campsite.

As of 7/28/11:
Miles today - 16.6*
Miles to date - 520.3

(*follow up to original post - When I told Dave the campground signage (below) did not match the number of miles he told me he hiked, he consulted his guidebook and found the campsite is now at 1729.6 - the trail mileage changes as the trail changes.  The Miles Today and Miles to Date are now correct.)

The campsite was someone's backyard! The owner is in the sign business and a hiker himself; he created a great campground on his 2 acres.  There were several well done signs such as: Camping in Back and Mile 1722 on the Appalachian Trail.  He provides water, made a big fire pit and a 2-hole golf course (is anyone carrying their clubs?). Dave is always SO appreciative of the Trail Angels.

There is a little country store close by where Dave picked up some drinks and a pint of ice cream. He and Country Gold shared chicken and noodles for dinner, which came out of CG's most recent mail drop.  Dave said CG is now carrying about 15 pounds of food.  Dave is glad the dehydrated food he carries is lighter weight.

It was an unusual day in that Dave came across no other hikers, not even at the campsite. It was the first day he saw no one else on his section of the trail (except Country Gold, of course).  He saw one deer.

Thursday was Jimmy's birthday.  Dave tried to call but could not get through.  I told him Jimmy is on Martha's Vineyard and does not have good cell service. They'll have to connect another day.

Days 42 & 43 on the Trail - 500 Mile Mark!

Dave could not call at all yesterday and we had a very poor connection today.

As of 7/27/11:
Miles yesterday and today - 16.6
Miles to date - 503.7

Winturri Shelter 'The Red Roof Inn'

Dave didn't make as many miles as he wanted to yesterday due to rain. He had stopped to eat lunch when the rain started, so he set up his tent and stayed there for the evening.  It was dry today and he made it to the Winturri Shelter which is on his schedule.  He is now one day ahead of plan.

He said his left foot was a little swollen so he was going to take Advil.  And that's all I know for today!

Zero Day #3

Red - Killington, VT

Dave didn't have a lot to say about his day.  He walked around Killington, VT, getting new supplies and eating breakfast and lunch at a diner.  He said he bought a half gallon of orange juice and drank the whole thing.  He did not have to buy rope after all, he found a clothesline that was left behind by a previous camper.  He's staying at the Gifford Woods State Park.  He pitched his tent and slept in it last night, but tonight there were thunder-storms so he's in a shelter.  He was laughing because he just picked up his tent and moved it into the shelter.  He called while in his longjohns, in his tent, in the shelter.  They had made a campfire in the late afternoon, then decided they'd like to roast hot dogs.  Back to the store they went, and got campfire food.  The ranger's wife joined them and they had a fun dinner.  Later, when Dave decided he'd like to get out of the rain and lightning, she let him move into the shelter and waived the $20 upgrade fee.  Nice!

Gifford Woods State Park

Day 41 on the Trail

Today, Day 41, Dave reached his half-way mark for this year's trek!

As of 7/24/11:
Miles today - 9.6
Miles to date - 487.1
Miles to Katahdin - 484.6

Dave called at 1:30 in the afternoon, and said he was at "Home Sweet Home."  I couldn't imagine where that was ... turns out he meant he is in his tent (!) at a campground in Killington, VT.  He's going to stay there two nights, taking a Zero Day tomorrow.  Country Gold is expecting a package at the Post Office, and Dave will resupply his own pack, including finding more rope.

The first thing he did after checking into the campsite was to go into the shower, clothes and all.  He had not been able to find a laundromat, so decided that was the best way to get all his clothes as clean as possible.  He no longer has a towel, as he sent it home several weeks ago.  He found that the hostels that offered showers also had towels, so to lighten up his pack, he sent it home with a pair of long pants and one of his long-sleeved shirts.  This time, with no towel, he used his 4 bandanas to dry off as much as possible, then walked around to try to get his clothes dry.

That was all his news, except that his feet are bothering him.  He has had symptoms of planters fasciitis and we are hoping this doesn't get worse.  He had been using a night splint at home, but does not have it with him.  He plans on a day of rest tomorrow, with limited walking, and hopefully his feet will rejoice.

Day 40 on the Trail

40 Days and 40 Nights!  (Plus two Zero Days)  Wow.

As of 7/23/11:
Miles today - 13.8
Miles to date - 477.5

Dave's day started well with a short detour when he crossed Rte. 103 and there was a diner a half mile down the road.  He and Country Gold ate breakfast, then tackled the day's hike.  (When Dave first met Country, he didn't know his age, but now he does - he is 49).  They went from an elevation of 883' to 3900'.  Not only was it steep, there were trees down everywhere and they had to climb over or go around them, and avoid the big holes left where the roots came up.  There must have been wind similar to a tornado recently.

Dave said he was staying at Cooper Lodge, which, just by the name, sounded kind of nice to me.  I asked about it, he laughed, and said it had 4 walls, which made it a "lodge" instead of a "shelter" but it was a pit.  He said it was if not the worst, then the second worst shelter he's been in.  It has a rock floor, windows though the frames and glass are gone, a door that barely shuts, and broken bunks.  He said, "Sometimes you get a nice surprise and sometimes you get a surprise."

Cooper Lodge

The good news is that it is at the top of a ski run and has a great view.

Dave carries 50' of rope that comes in handy for many things, including hanging food from a tree to keep it away from bears and other critters.  Dave had washed his clothes the night before and hung them on his rope to dry.  In the morning he packed up his clothes, but forgot his rope.  Oops.  He's planning another resupply detour soon and will have to put rope on his shopping list.