In the last update, I managed to hike 32 miles while still visiting Kent, Connecticut.

Day 73: Full Steam Ahead

The first thing on my mind today was getting to a solar shower that was right on the trail. I needed to rinse the salt off my back to minimize the irritation on my lower back. I also managed to walk past my reliable water source on the way there. Felt like half my day was spent wandering and wishing for cold water. 

To an onlooker, it was just another day of nonstop hiking and snacking! I’ve been enjoying combining a sweet with a salty. Some staples thus far have been pretzel bites with plain M&M’s, string cheese, and cashews, or Fritos with a scoop or two of Nutella.

It took me a little while, but I found the solar shower and not long after that another trail milestone! I’m getting somewhere! 

Honed in on my physical exertion and calorie consumption feeling fantastic hiking 32 miles today. Not long before getting to camp I passed another milestone.

Sweet dreams to all, I sure didn’t expect t thrive this much on my own out here!

Day 74: Now or Never Great Barrington

Up even earlier than yesterday and beyond ready for these new shoes! My feet are sore from spilling out the sides of these shoes! The big holes are nice ventilation, but not for keeping debris out of a hiker in motion!  

I was almost in a jog to town to ensure I made it to the post office before they closed. Luckily an older gentleman named Winston, in his pickup truck, had my back! The sweetest gentleman scooped me up and rushed me to my new shoes; right before they closed! I did it! 

Now the annoying part, walking back to the road where I got scooped up to reconnect my footpath. I will have a continuous footpath for this trail. I will however be taking a different way to reconnect with the redline. Walking through this town and reconnecting back a little later adds more miles overall, but I’d also get to walk right by a McDonald’s as well. The other end of town also has, in my opinion, more grocery options. 

I wasn’t going to take the chance of the ice cream machine being broke, so I came prepared!

With a full backpack and stomach, I head out to continue north towards Maine. Finishing my day with just over 30 miles behind me. I lay my head to rest at a very crowded tent and shelter site. Usually, it ends in no sleep, but the comfort of the people around was very inviting. There was tons of recent bear activity in the area which fosters the big mileage day searching for company. I’m not afraid of no bear, but it was more comforting knowing a bear was going to have to get through a tent maze to get me tonight rather than if I was alone.

Day 75: You Got It 

Me? The last one out of camp?! That’s what my body is screaming for, that’s what my body gets. A late start to camp because of extra time to roll out my muscles and take it slow was a wonderful reward for me! 

My body felt good almost all day. Minimal foot pain and knowledge of having two towns in one day tomorrow were blissful. I also have a plethora of new podcasts and plenty of miles ahead! 

I didn’t stop today other than to filter water and resituate my snack pockets. Yes, pockets. My appetite and overall consumption is becoming comical. 

Even with a late start leaving camp I still squeezed out 30 miles today! I’ve become quite glutinous in ensuring I see the sunrise and sunset every day I can on the trail.  

Day 76: Dalton and Cheshire

I sure didn’t have much on my mind other than the free shower in Dalton, Massachusetts, and some cold water. I’d even settle for lukewarm, anything but what I have, lava hot. The water recently gets warm within the hour making me have to “hate gulp” water. 

Almost into town, I was stopped by the lovely Levardi’s as his house is right there! He filled me up on cold water and sent me on my way, the recreation center where I wanted to shower had very limited hours; not in my timeframe. I grabbed some donuts on my way out of Dalton, and the rest will be purchased in Cheshire. 

Made a friend on my way to the next town. Dollar General and the Shell gas station were the resupply and got my basics to get me to the next big town. I will need to bulk up my resupply as well. The past few resupplies have not been the best, but not every resupply is successful. 

Falling asleep at a shelter with 22-mile hikes today, unknowingly approaching Mount Greylock. 

Day 77: Well Okay Then

Up early ready for another day. I’m already kicking myself with this stretch food carry! It’s not enough! Just kept putting one foot in front of the other. I’ve been hiking around Fishstick for a little while now and we both skipped going into the town of North Adams. We did enjoy the tower on top of Mount Greylock before the weather started rolling it. 

We kept at it through thunder and a torrential downpour lasting an hour. It was refreshing as the rain was a friend I was missing on this trail, compared to what I thought would be an intimate relationship between the rain and me. 

I got to the earlier shelter junction and filtered water waiting for Fishstick. The loudening thunder above us didn’t leave much room for hope in making it another 4 miles. We admitted to a little defeat and retreated to the shelter with two liters of water. We got into the shelter filled with other hikers hiding from the storms above and claimed the last bunk shelf. Just us two tucked near the roof like sardines, grateful it does not leak. 23 miles behind me today, not a lot, but good enough.  

Until next time, happy trails and hike on!