Today was an easy, easy, stroll. The girls at the shelter started making some serious noise at just before 6am, so I packed up and started walking.

There has been a lot of mud and puddles on the trail. Tough to keep your feet dry but awesome in that the number of moose tracks often outnumbers the hiker tracks! By 10am, I’d slipped off a couple of downed logs and rocks and soaked through both shoes. Normally I’d be a bit upset but:

1. It’s Maine—you get wet here
2. Heather is due around noon
3. I am doing laundry today

It is almost noon now and Rockhound and I are hanging out and waiting for Heather. I just mended the pocket on my pack that ripped going through Mahoosuc Notch and talked to a few day-hikers as well. There’s a lot of “Congratulations” and “You’re almost there” when they find out I’m a NOBO thru-hiker.

Of the 220 miles left, only about 65 are really mountainous. And my first view of Katahdin comes in just 5 miles!

Volleyball starts in a month, so I spent much of my morning’s walk thinking about the team and how I am going to start the season. Looking forward to playing and coaching the game I love. The ability to go home and shower after practice will be nice too!