Miles 1750.6 | A long, exposed road walk in intense heat led into Hanover, New Hampshire and across the state line. Knee pain, sunburn, and exhaustion muted the milestone, but town time brought resupply packages, new shoes, real food, and a long break indoors before hiking out to the first New Hampshire shelter.
The trail lead right through town right past the college. I met Miles at the Starbucks, right on trail. Together, we went to the post office where our Mom's had both sent us packages and Miles' sister, Robin, had sent us a trail magic surprise from Washington. I got new shoes in my box, knee braces, and lots of food.
We made it to New Hampshire on day 170! We crossed into Hanover, New Hampshire, home of Dartmouth, on the longest, paved road walk yet on another hot day. I got a terrible sunburn on my way. Miles made it far ahead of me but I went slow. My knees were bothering me terribly.
We got Indian food for lunch and, back at Starbucks, I blogged for most of the afternoon in the air conditioned building. We hiked out to the first New Hampshire shelter after that. Honestly, I thought I would feel relief and excitement when I got to New Hampshire. I thought I'd cry tears of joy when I saw those two silly letters on the bridge into Hanover.
I imagined I'd sit there and think about how far I'd come for a while. But in the hot sun, I was exhausted. I snapped a quick photo with my phone on 1% battery and I trudged on over the hard pavement. I don't think my brain could really comprehend that I'd walked here.