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Week 18: “Worst Birthday EVER!” and Other Tales from Vermont
Yesterday (July 20) I woke up a shiny and new 26 year old. Being 25 was a thing of the past. The air was chilly in my tent, the first time in a while, and I savored the moment, luxuriating in my sleeping bag. For weeks I had been writing in the trail logs, counting down the days until the oh so special day of my birth, (just in case someone behind me decided to catch up and perhaps throw an amazing birthday party, girl can dream right??) – “5 more days until my birthday! Just in case anyone was wondering.” “3 more days until my birthday!” “‘Twas the eve of my birthday…” You get the idea… However, the day was about to get shittier – quite literally. There’s a reason this blog isn’t titled “Best Birthday EVER!” Just think a fart that didn’t turn out to be a fart. That’s all that needs to be said.
Now in the real world, a fart that turned out not to be a fart would be enough to ruin anyone’s day let alone their birthday. However, I’m on the trail I’m above that, or so I like to believe. With a clean pair of underwear (and since I only have 2 pairs having a clean one is a big deal), I set out on the trail.
Hiking, you hear rumors long before you reach them of the rocks in Pennsylvania and the bugs in Massachusetts. However, the mud of Vermont is missed in those discussions. AWOL warns of the mud. But like much of AWOLs warnings, I took it for a grain of salt. Well… Let me tell you folks. Vermont is muddy.
With my clean underwear and very dirty body (9 days without showering), I dodged shoe sucking mud holes stepping on rocks and roots and mud that looked less “muddy.”
Oh look! Mud!
More mud!
To make a long story short, the ground decided to give me a hug knowing it was my birthday. Face forward, both knees, a shoulder. I layed there for a bit, stunned, almost wanting to cry. Today was obviously not my day. Worst birthday ever.
The aftermath of my “hug”
So what happened after my morning? Well I kept hiking. Reached the shelter and my friends surprised me with only slightly squirrel-chewed brownie with candles and today I find myself in a wonderful hostel in Manchester, VT, the Green Mountain House. I highly refer it. And truthfully, today as my birthday redo has made up for the real day.
Birthday on the trail
Birthday redo, because I can
But seriously… It was kinda a shitty birthday. Get it?? So punny.
So what else has happened since my last post?Probably time for a photo montage.
Trail Mama (aka me) got to make her trail babies happy with some ice cream
Dat view from Mt Greylock (ignore Jingle he ends up in all my pics) Had I really been I wizard I could have seen that view everyday. But I could have seen lots of things if I was a wizard.
A really cool tower from Mt Greylock from which I imagine I could have seen cool things like views had it not been under construction
I do not advise this for all you at home. The standing, yes. The actual cycling while trying to balance things and being a terrible cyclist, no. But dang look at those calf muscles.
Good thing this ice cream truck drove right by the trail. We needed an ice cream break. You probably do too. Go eat some ice cream!
Oh hey! Vermont!
The terrain seems so much different here than in previous states.
Different view, more trees
And these spectacular, mud inducing ponds/lakes/bogs
It’s kinda all how I would envision Vermont
Thought that final photo most appropriate. Seriously Wheels, take more pictures…
If you’ve been following the foot saga, and maybe you haven’t because I haven’t talked about it I’m on my well to being well. Backtracking,an allergic reaction to leukotape which I had all over my feet led to the worst athletes foot ever (think blisters all over your arches, instep, and inner and outer ankles. Finally going to the doctor, she was like, “Oh, oh that looks really bad.” Thanks doc. But I’m on the up and mend. I have a real bed to sleep in, and am clean and full.
I would like to send a thank you out to the mother for mailing me a box of goodies, Elisa and Dougie G for their birthday gift, Bill Johnson for his birthday gift even if it was sans song, and everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday. At some point I’ll get around to my many Facebook messages.
Love can be mailed to:
Molly Bybee; General Delivery; Norwich, VT 05055; Please hold for AT hiker; ETA 07/27
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