I'm typing this from Green Mountain House in Manchester Center, VT. It is, by far, the nicest hostel I have ever been in! I had to get off the trail this morning because after hiking only 5 miles yesterday, I was completely wiped. I've been feeling like this for a while now, so I thought it'd be best to get to the doctor and check for Lyme. (Eeek!) Or, at the very least, take a day to rest. So that's what I'm doing now. I have my appointment tomorrow morning so send me some good vibes! In the meantime, I'm going to sit on a couch and watch Argentina whoop up on the Netherlands in the World Cup with a fellow thru-hikers :)
So much has happened since I last posted. Since leaving Ice's house in NJ, we have walked through the remainder of Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the first part of Vermont! In only two weeks! Feels like we've been moving pretty quickly.
Ice's mom dropped me off where I left off in NJ at around 7pm. I had to walk an extra 3.5 miles to catch Ice and Pickles (formerly known as Wees). I was walking alone at twilight and it was one of the most magical times I've had on the trail. I walked across the boardwalk of NJ and all around me were thousands of lightning bugs! It was incredible!
We crossed into New York soon after and hit Prospect Rock - the highest point in NY! We crossed the Bear Mountain bridge and Hyperbole's parents were nice enough to host us for an evening. They even slacked us for a day! "Slacking" means that they held all of our stuff while we carried empty backpacks - it allows for more miles in a day and you're not cussing up a storm going up a mountain. It's good walkin.
Prospect Rock
Ice in a N.Y. lake
Crossing Bear Mountain Bridge
It felt like we breezed through NY, before I knew it, we had hit Connecticut. CT was beautiful! When we hit Falls Village, CT, Pickles' actually had some family friends that took us in for the night. They let us shower and fed us until we popped. (Thank you Dan and Barbara!) My feet were in pretty bad shape around this time, but I was able to get my new shoes in Salisbury, about 7 miles further. (THANK GOD! - Thanks for sending them, Mom!)
We were sitting outside the grocery store in Salisbury, CT, about to head back to the trail to go to sleep, when a lady and her daughter approached us and asked if we were thru-hikers. We told them that we were and she replied, "It's going to rain, why don't you come sleep in my living room." We bought her some flowers and walked down to her house - what we found there was the most generous, kind, wonderful family we have met on the trail so far. Kelly and Hannah, thank you again for all that you did for us. They invited us into their home for three days and slacked us for two. It was incredible. I hope I get to see you guys again one day!
Into C.T.!
CT trail
A little dirty
Rattle rattle
I would walk 500 more!
After CT, we hit MA. Massachusetts felt like it went by pretty quickly - probably in part to Kelly slacking us! We stayed in Upper Goose Pond Cabin for the 4th of July - it was rainy, but such a wonderful place.
Upper Goose Pond
The mountains were starting to pick it up again as we closed in on Vermont. Mt. Greylock, in northern MA, is the highest point in the state. It was a climb and a half but we were treated to a FEAST from Reset's (one of my favorite thru-hikers out here) family. After we ate dinner, Ice Party spoke with the inn on the summit and got a group rate for us all to stay there! We got to watch the sunset from Mt. Greylock and hang out with some good friends.
We crossed into VT two very rainy days ago, so I'm happy to be sitting in this hostel and relaxing. I've got the doctor's appointment tomorrow so fingers crossed! I HAVE MAINE IN MY SIGHTS.
Also, Kris and Jamie - I got your packages/letters at the cookie lady! THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! Made my day. :)
Next maildrop:
Kristen Bacon
C/O AMC Visitor Center, Front Desk
361 Rte. 16
Gorham, NH 03581
Please hold for AT hiker
ETA 7/25
MORE SOON!
