First I want to give a shout out to the couple from LA that gave me a lift into Bennington thanks for dropping me right where I needed to be! Also to Andrea who was not going my direction but went 30 mins out of her way to get me to town.
Now, after Bennington why did I have to go to town again so soon? Well this is the part of the hike where things start to go wrong. First my tent zipper decided to go south. Fine not really a big deal, it kinda zips so I can manage. But then sitting in my tent the next evening my sleeping pad decides it’s done. Really? Yes really. It just deflated. FML oh well, guess I’m trying to get to Hanover to find patches or a replacement. Thus is life on the trail…..
But wait there’s more, it was cold for like a minute…then it got hot and humid, really humid, then it rained. I got heat rash (I guess, never had it before & I’m not doctor) so I kept hiking, of course…it got worse. It was painful, I was walking funny but I got to Hanover an things turned around.
A trail angel took me to Lebanon to get a new pad then dropped me at Bill & Betsy’s house. I met their son Karl on the PCT ’15! Betsy and her husband live practically an the AT, hosting hundreds of hikers (I’m the first this year!) After a shower & laundry we chatted over the best thai salad I’ve ever had.
The trail is tough and at times painful. Hiking with a girl I just met ‘hummingbird’ (she’s from sun valley, id) we joked about why we even put ourselves through this. We didn’t come up with a clear answer.
What I do know is I’m touched by the generosity of people every time I’m out here. The simplest act of kindness can mean so much, rippling out to many others.
East coast, West coast, Mexico, Canada, black, white….we are all connected. Now what up with this weather?
wandering chardonnay 