Miles: 230.0 | A dark, rainy morning sets the tone as I slog through mud and slush, homesickness hitting hard after the scent of a fallen spruce brings New Hampshire rushing back to me. Between coughing fits and heavy emotions, a podcast and a solid lunch slowly turn the day around. By evening, a perfect shelter — running water, bear cables, tent sites, and even a few stars — reminds me how quickly the trail can shift from heavy to healing.
The morning we woke to was foggy and rainy. It was dark and drab. I hiked through mud and slush all day. I felt gloomy and homesick. I walked past a fallen spruce that smelled just like the New Hampshire woods and I immediately started to sob. I was so homesick. I was tired. I was all stuffed up and couldn't stop coughing.
I put on a podcast and with my mood the day began to brighten. I ate lunch and I really started feeling better. Food can make all the difference, folks! I listened to my podcast for the rest of the day and when we got the shelter we found 2 great tent sites for me and Tang and 2 fantastic trees for Josh's tent.
I finally got to use my new tent! We sat up at the shelter eating. The view through the trees in front of the shelter were beautiful. A stream ran right in front of the overhang on the shelter! And there were bear cables! It was perfect.
Josh and I hung out by my tent for a while listening to music and Tang went off to call his girlfriend. It was a beautiful night and we could even see a few stars, finally!
