Visit with Mary, 500 Miles, and a Naked Hiker

Stats: Saturday night 7/23, MM 1704.1

(187.1 new miles, 1712.9 total miles)

It’s been another good two weeks, ending with a great but way too short visit with Mary, aka Mrs. Nailgun. I tried out different boots, had a few visits with Moondog, and saw more beautiful scenery. I continue to average about 96 miles a week, even with stopping for a day here and there, and hiking shorter days.

I started out Monday 7/11 after what turned out to be only my first visit with Moondog. It was a nice day and much less humid, what a joy! Saw Slim Rims, who I haven’t seen for 2 months. Also saw Edge and Colin (again – we’ve been running into each other often!) Met Will-He and Third Time, brothers out for a section hike, and Taco.

The weather is better, but mosquitoes are bad and there are a lot of roots on the trail. Hiked 20 miles to Shaker Campground. I noticed a bite on the back of my knee, almost looked like a snake bite but I wear a knee brace so could not be that – I think I would have felt it. It had started to swell a little but didn’t hurt and not too red yet. Day one of the different boots went OK overall.

Tuesday was not quite the same for the boots. I turned my ankle again, it was very painful and swollen. Many ups and downs, rocks and roots. The boots are too flexible, not stiff enough to support my weak ankles, as I found out. Stopped at October Mountain Shelter after 18 miles. Met the two brothers again, it was their last night out. They had been on the trail for 9 weeks doing section hikes, and will hike the 180 miles they have left in Maine next year.

some VERY tired feet...and a slightly swollen ankle

 

Wednesday it was very humid, I walked slowly trying not to turn my ankle again. Met Moondog for lunch in Dalton, near his house. The mosquitoes are still out to get me, and there are MANY of them. Hiked 16 miles that day to the Crystal Mountain campground. The area around the knee where I got bit started to itch and swell a little, and the redness was spreading. No pain, though, so I didn’t think much about it.

On Thursday I hiked to top of Mt. Greylock. It was humid and damp, and so socked in with clouds I could not see a large stone monument that was only 50 yards away. Saw Fritz, Pockets, and one other hiker. Moondog picked me up at the summit for what I thought was one last overnight at his place, which was a huge blessing.

The next day when we got back to Mt. Greylock summit, it was a beautiful, sunny day. This time I got some good pictures of the view and the tower. Starting out was a long downhill hike, one my knees didn’t like at all.

After 7 miles I took Moondog up on his offer up to pick me up once again. Went back to his house, took him out to lunch, one more night of rest for the ankle and knees. And I decided to go back to my old boots; worn out as they were, they still had some ankle support left. This was the final "last night" staying with Moondog.

Good to see Moondog again.

Saturday was less humid, and my knees felt better and stronger. The next big challenge is going to be the White Mountains in New Hampshire, about 200 miles in front of me. I met a few southbound hikers who loved the Whites and said they were not so bad, very encouraging.

Bridge decorated with kids' handprints

For about 100 miles, the AT shares a trail with the Long Trail that goes north into Canada. When I got to Melville Shelter after hiking 20 miles, it was crowded – between the two trails many people were hiking. The Long Trail also has white blaze so hikers need to be sure they are on the right trail when they split. I tented even though someone said it would rain. It did rain – we had a heavy downpour but it didn’t last too long.

On Sunday I hiked 21 miles to the Stratton Arlington Road campsite, where I met a group of kids going to Manchester, Vermont. The trail had lots of rocks, roots, and mud from the rain the night before. On the way, a woman came up to us at a shelter where we were taking a break. Her feet really hurt because she was wearing new boots. I could relate; I gave her some Advil. She asked if she could “smoke” there, we didn’t mind. A man came to the shelter as I was leaving, said he was bringing spaghetti dinner with wine, too bad I wasn’t going to be there. Had a pretty good day overall.

thankfully this was not part of the trail

Monday was yet another day of mud and rocks. Met Mint, Pepper, Highland Dave, and Spidey. Was very tired after hiking up and down Stratton Mountain, decided to stop at Manchester. On the way there, hiked through a storm where it was dark and thundered for almost an hour. Very eerie. Kept going, deep in the woods at this point. Got to Manchester at 4:30 after 16 miles, stayed at the Palmer House. Very nice place.

caretakers hut on top of Stratton Mountain

 

On Tuesday I woke up really tired because I didn’t get much sleep. Decided to take a zero day for more rest, and to have my leg checked out. After a week the redness had spread to my thigh and down my calf. The doctor said it was probably a skin infection from the bite, although she couldn’t tell what bit me – the bite marks were pretty much gone. She gave me more antibiotics – a different kind – and I also started taking a probiotic. Highland Dave, Spidey, and I went out for pizza for lunch. I enjoyed the restful day.

Still on the Long Trail

Wednesday we woke up to less humidity and cooler temps. Saw Mountain Goat, Princess Peach, Mouse, Legs, Slim Rims, Wally, Colin, Edge, and a bunch of Southbounders on the trail. Very busy section of trail in Vermont!

lunch break at a ski patrol lodge

 

At one point I saw a guy hiking toward me who looked like he had some type of gold body suit on. As he got closer I noticed he was naked – the gold looked more orange, like spray-on body tan. I had to comment: “Oh, naked hiker.” He mumbled something I couldn’t understand and kept walking (thankfully). Right after that I saw a guy and his young son. The father said, “Thanks for having clothes on.” I told him I couldn’t believe the man was hiking naked. Father’s response: “That’s Vermont.”

When I got to my planned stop at Little Rock Shelter, a caretaker was supposed to have water there. He wasn’t there, found out later he never showed up. Kept going so I could camp near a water source. Found a place to stealth camp after 21 miles total. After hiking all day it was the first time in a month I wasn’t soaked from head to toe. Very enjoyable hiking day. My ankle still bothered me a little, but not too bad.

Thursday I saw Slim Rims, Tom, Greg, Legs, and Mouse again as I hiked. Good uphills today, still nice weather. My foot – the planter’s wart – was acting up a bit, my foot was starting to hurt more. I tried to go further but was too tired, stopped after 20 miles at Governors Clement Shelter. I wanted to call Mary to tell her where I thought I’d be Friday for her visit, but didn’t have phone reception.



Yeah, it's ugly, and painful to walk on. Please pray for this foot!

Friday I wasn’t sure how far I needed to go to meet Mary. She was flying up to meet me for the weekend; I haven’t seen her since mid-June. Her flight was delayed, so I ended up hiking 14 miles into Killington, including one big 2500 foot mountain climb through Rutland.

 

Stone field, people make little towers.

I saw a few southbound hikers along the way and took a short lunch. The plan was to meet Mary around 2:30 at Killington.

Waiting for Mrs. Nailgun

Seeing her drive up and get out of the car was the highlight of my month. I will remember that moment for a long, long time. I have really missed her, and I want to enjoy every minute because it will be another month or more before I see her again.

Mary found a place to stay in Woodstock, about half-hour away. But FIRST we had to pick up my new boots. Merrell doesn’t make my boots any more, and Mary went online and found some at a store in Rutland. She continues to be an amazing support person! I tried them on and they felt really good – I had a bit of a spring in my step again and better support for my ankles.

Definitely time for a new pair!

As we talked, I told Mary that sometimes it’s harder hiking by myself, and yet it’s easier because I can go as far as I want, stop when I want, etc. Sometimes it’s lonely out there, and my mind goes into overdrive in many different directions. I’m still going strong…or, at least I’m still going whether strong or not. With less than 500 miles to go, I can say more confidently that I will finish. I'll be in New Hampshire in a few days - 11 states down and 2 to go.

Green Mountains in Vermont. Very beautiful

Now I’ll let Mrs. Nailgun tell you about the rest of our weekend.

at Breakfast the next morning.

When I got out of the car and hugged Don, I burst into tears. Yeah, it’s a girl thing. It was SO good to see him after 5 weeks, 2 days, and 6 hours. He looked mah-velous! And yes, he’s keeping the beard and longer hair until he finishes. It doesn’t bother him at all so he said he would, no problem.

After picking up the boots we headed back to our vacation place near Woodstock, VT. I found an apartment located on an organic blueberry farm. Yes, the blueberries were amazing and the owners were wonderful and friendly hosts, Marty and Carol. Don and I unpacked - which, for Don, includes spreading everything out to dry from the humidity and rain - and got cleaned up for dinner. Marty recommended a place in town, we took his suggestion and had a very nice dinner. Heck, we could have eaten anywhere and I would have enjoyed just sitting across the table from Don.

The next day we went out for breakfast early. A very nice couple from California came in and sat next to us, and noticed the map books we both had. Don told them about his hike and they were very excited. The woman said she had heard of people who hiked the trail but had never met anyone until now. They asked if they could take our picture, and then we took one of them, too.

It wasn’t the first time Don had celebrity status. He told me about a time in New York, near Bear Mountain, when a large group of foreign tourists saw him on the trail.

“Thru hiker, thru hiker! Take picture?” They all wanted to take a picture with him.

Yes, what Don is doing is an amazing accomplishment. I think that sometimes it’s still sinking in for both of us that he’s really doing this thing and going to finish! And that he’s finishing something hardly anyone else has ever done. AND that it’s almost over!

One of several covered bridges in the Woodstock, Vermont area

Next stop was to a massage person. I found someone online who did therapeutic massages. Joe was a really nice guy who definitely knew his stuff. When Don walked down the steps afterward, he said it was the first time in a long time he could walk down steps without pain. Joe could only do so much in an hour’s timeframe, but it helped Don a whole lot.

We went to the store for a few supplies, then enjoyed a quiet afternoon and had dinner in. Did I mention it was SO good to see him? We had a thunderstorm and watched it from the comfort of our cozy apartment.

Sunday morning we enjoyed breakfast out again, then to Walmart in a nearby town for more supplies. Back to the apartment to pack for leaving. It was way too soon for both of us, for sure.

After a good lunch, I dropped Don back at the trail in Killington and headed back to the airport in Manchester, NH. We missed each other as soon as I drove away…but oh, the reunion at trail’s end will be sweet!



One more pic for the road



Please pray for complete healing of that planter’s wart, and for continued strength and good sleep. Don appreciates all your comments, your notes he received, and your prayers. We both do, could not do this without God’s help and everyone’s support. Your encouragement is appreciated more than we can say – it’s fuel for the finish.

Until next time, Godspeed to you all!

Nailgun and Mrs. Nailgun