Yesterday, I thought my hike was hard. Two days ago, I thought I was flying. Now I know what those words really mean! Today’s hike was 28 miles in 11.5 hours of hiking! That’s 28 miles over 3,936 foot Stratton Mountain and 3,736 foot Glastenbury Mountain!

Most importantly, Rockhound, Hoplite, Wings & Feathers, Mad German, and Packrat are all here! I had myself convinced that I was getting off the trail because of loneliness and fatigue by the time I pulled into Stratton Pond Shelter at dusk. Hearing Wing’s voice calling out as I arrived, echoed by Hoplite and the others was the sweetest sound I’ve heard on the trail. And I haven’t seen Rockhound for over 500 miles.

Despite my fatigue last night, I didn’t have a great night’s sleep. There were sticks snapped and snorts around my tent at times that, in retrospect, might have been deer, but I was convinced they were bear in the middle of the night.

Today, in order to make time, I hiked fast and solo, and was constantly barraged by a ton of negative thoughts. Mostly reasons to get off the trail; reasons to be home. I am hoping that having some company will clarify things for me and silence some of the negative thoughts. Plenty more thoughts to write, but I am just too tired…bed time!