Day 123, miles today - 16.8, total - 1,761.3

July 19, 2013

Hanover NH 120 to Lyme Center, NH.

At 7:30 am Fran drove B-Rocket and me back to the trail, even though it wasn't on her way to work. She made our stay with her very comfortable. It was amazing!

It was going to be another hot and humid day. Soon after we got started the mosquitoes hit us in force. It wasn't as bad as the experience I had a few weeks ago, but it was close. All we could do was to keep moving forward. After ten miles we stopped at the Moose Mountain Shelter for lunch. Soon after we got there Garfunkel, who also goes by G Funk, and Sundance walked in. The four of us ate lunch and took an extended break. We only had another seven miles to hike. B-Rocket, Sundance and I took a nap in the shelter. We were there for 2-1/2 hours. The privy there was one without any walls, but it did have a roof. The nice thing about not having walls is that there's very little odor. The four of us hiked together the rest of the day.

B-Rocket napping

  G-Funk                                                     Suncance

                                                                                   Privy

After leaving the shelter, we all stopped at a very small stream to get water. While there, Maniac, Mud Mouth, Yard Sale and there dog Bo showed up. We all hung out there talking for several minutes. Afterwards we hiked together for a little while.

                                           Maineiac                                                   B-rocket



We had one big up left for the day. It was 1,000 feet. It was very tiring in the 90+ degree weather. Once at the top we did have an overlook with a pretty nice view. At the overlook I met Atlas and Glover. I had heard their names before, but I had not met them.

                                                      G-Funk, B-Rocket and Sundance

We hiked to Dorchester Road in Lyme Center, NH. We were all staying at Bill Ackerly's house. He lives 100 feet from the trail. He allows hikers to camp in his yard and gives everyone ice cream, lemonade and water. He has over 1,000 hikers per year. Another example of amazing generosity. Tonight there are ten thru-hikers here. There's Sundance, G-Funk, Mud Mouth, Yard Sale, Maniac, Atlas, Glover, Not-A-Bear, B-Rocket and me. B-Rocket's mother and two of her friends are here also.

B-Rockets birthday is in a couple days, so her friends are going to hike with her for two days. Two more of her friends are coming tomorrow. B-Rocket made a birthday cake in Bill's kitchen. Everyone went inside to have cake and to sing happy birthday. The cake was delicious! While inside it started to rain. Everyone had their tents set up in the back yard. By 10:00 we were all ready to go to sleep.

Bill Ackerly is very nice. He's leaving his patio door unlocked so we can use his bathroom during the night. Sundance commented to me earlier in the evening that it's hard to believe we are experiencing evenings like this. It's amazing!

It's really nice bring around so many other thru-hikers. We have all experienced many of the same things, good times and bad. And we are all determined to finish this awesome journey.