Day 129

Today was a short mile day. Only got in 12.9 official AT miles done. I added over 1.4 miles walking off trail to Tony’s Deli. So glad I did though! The food was fantastic! Some of the guys at the shelter last night showed up there too so we all had breakfast there. Before taking that street walk down to the deli, we passed the small train station that stops on the AT, I believe on weekends, and can take you into NYC. The hike back on trail after the deli was hot as hell! It was a long walk through farm land with no shade and my Tempe thermometer said 98.1 F in the sun. The big problem with the heat today was that almost all the water sources were dried up. Best one I saw was right after the cow pasture and I definitely wasn’t going to drink that. It took a while to filter water from a very low flowing creek but I got it done. I then found the freaky looking “screaming skull” tree I’ve seen in many AT YouTube videos. Of course I had to take a freaky picture with it. LOL! At the best timing ever, I was talking with Wizard as we hiked up to trail magic. It had ice cold Gatorade and Propel drinks, electrolyte mixes and snacks. Couldn’t have come across that at a better time! I stopped at a shelter to have lunch after that and since it was going to be a short day to set me up for breakfast and resupply tomorrow at a general store, I took time to strip out of my shirt and lay back on one of the tent pads and just relax. Yes, I really want to push and complete this hike but, man, I need to spend more time just laying back and soaking it all in from time to time. It felt good! After the big climb after that, I made it down to 10 Mile River Campground, had dinner talking with a couple new hikers I haven’t met, Zombie and Story, and then a local ridge runner named Pharaoh showed up and pitched his tent here as well. It was good to pick his brain about the upcoming sections. I cannot believe I let him talk me in to this but I’m going to do a super short day tomorrow. The forecast has a 100% chance of rain with a slight chance of thunderstorms. He’s recommending I just go to the Bill Bridge Store, get breakfast and resupply, take my time there and recharge my batteries then only hike the 8.7 miles to the next shelter instead of the 16.8 I had planned to the shelter after that. He says there is an extremely steep drop down before that shelter that many have to descend backwards lowering themselves down the rocks. It wouldn’t be good to do that if it’s raining. So I’m taking his word for it and will just push to the first shelter to do the sketchy section the day after when the rain should be over. I was able to adjust my plan so even though I’m taking a short day, I’m able to make it up and keep my timetable for when I make it to Great Barrington, MA, which will be my next hotel stay.