My First Bad Day Is Just a Bump in the Trail

Day 34

I have heard about hikers having bad days and wanting to quit. The rule on the trail is never quit on a bad day! Well, I had my first bad day but I wasn’t considering quitting. I had done my mileage totals early in the week and realized I needed to average more miles per day. All the kids passing me are doing 25 or more. I thought I could at least do 20 miles a day and have had 17- and 18-mile days. The truth finally caught up to me and it pissed me off. Mentally, I can do big miles but my body can’t. After ten hours I have to quit or get hurt. I had bad falls late in the day and the last one I broke my trekking pole as well as bruising myself with 15 minutes left to finish.

 

I took a day off, or zero as we call it, to recover and ponder the trail. I realized that as much as I rage against the dying light, it does me no good. I came to peace with my body’s ability to hike and have rediscovered the magic of the trail. I will continue at a safer pace and take whatever mileage that comes with it. The hostel I was lucky enough to stop at is truly the best on the trail. Hudson and Big Lu (trail names) bought an old, rundown house seven years ago and transformed it into a hiker haven. As a thru-hiker himself Hudson included every detail one would ever need or want. His craftsmanship is on par with the master carpenters I have know in my life. I was constantly discovering little things that just blew me away. Big Lu is an excellent chef and made us breakfast each day. No one ever left wanting more because she stuffed us. If you don’t stay at Bearded Woods Bunk and Dine, you are missing one of the best parts of the trail. Thank you, Hudson and Big Lu!

 

 

Do you recognize the inn from a TV show long ago?

Stay tuned.

 

Affiliate Disclosure

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!

To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.

Comments 2

  • Linda Cooper : Jun 9th

    The Inn looks like the White Hart Inn in Salisbury, CT.

    Reply
  • Mia Erspamer (Canary) : Jun 10th

    You rock Bear Chaser! I agree, I found trying to do high mileage during my section hike this year to be frustrating too. At our age we need to just be grateful for what daily mileage we can accomplish as we are blessed to be able to even be on the trail. Truffs and I so enjoyed meeting you this year and will pray for your safe travels!

    Reply

What Do You Think?