So, here we sit in Gorham. It is raining all day today and over breakfast Zen, Thinker and I made the executive decision to spend another night here in town. Later tonight and tomorrow will be clearing and we'll push hard this week to make up the miles. Rest is needed too. The rocky and steep trails of the Whites have beaten my body up. I've had no knee problems this whole trip until the Whites and my feet are meaty stumps at this point. It won't stop me, but it is kinda fun to watch them swell up overnight. The next bit of trail looks difficult too - someone asked a southbounder how the transition into Maine will go, and she replied "seamless."
It does feel great to be entering the final state of the AT. Autumn has already started in the boreal forest of the higher elevations - birches are turning yellow and dropping their leaves across the trail. Down the mountains a bit, in the mixed hardwood forest and some of the early maples are already turning red-orange. Of course way down in valleys like the one Gorham sits in, its still summery green. But the cold nights are giving us the signal that autumn is arriving even here, and pretty soon we'll be pushed out of the woods whether we are done the hike or not. Baxter State Park closes its trails to hikers on October 15th, but we should be done by the first week in October.
So, some chores and errands, but a mostly lazy day of sitting around and watching television. Its hiker Saturday!
1 comment:
Sorry to hear about your feet...but if the mud and rain in Vermont didn't stop you I'm sure you won't let your FEET !!! Just keep thinking ONE state to go and you are now out of the White Mts...hopefully not as much up and down in Maine...glad you have your friends with you !!!...All I can say is GO>>GO>>>GO...YOU'RE ALMOST DONE !!!!!! Love you much and am routing for you..only a little over 3 weeks to go and less than 300 miles...Love, Mom
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