And I'm back in the game - New Hampshire - what what!!!

Quite a variety of pics I know - me and Jer at the beach and at this really great country concert, my "car camping" day off the trail :), me looking at the mountains I am getting ready to climb and a look at the Whites - in all their majesty!

6/7/07 - 6/9/07 Hanging out in Phillie and New Jersey. Decided to take a few days off the trail and headed to Philadelphia to see my friend Jeremy. We hit pretty many sites in the few days that I had there. He took me to see his college campus - Eastern University and also Bryn Mawr University - let me say, I definitely wish I had gone there. It looked like a castle and did I mention it is all girls. The next day we headed to Cape May on the New Jersey coast. I met some of his friends and hung out on the beach most of the day. What a contrast to the mountains I have been hiking on. His friend Becca's family was staying there and they welcomed us graciously. Becca's brother Mike is really interested in the Appalachian Trail and I got to talk to him about it extensively. Kind of got me back excited about the trail and helped him out too. A win win situation. We all went to dinner and boy am I glad my appetite is back. Hooray for crab cakes! Saw a beautiful sunset over Cape May's lighthouse and then headed out on the town for a little while. Due to my thru-hiker's bedtime ( I can't help but fall asleep generally by 9 pm these days), we cut it short around 10:30 and made our way back to our campsite. So nice to drive to a campsite once in awhile. Next day we headed back towards the city and went to this great country concert featuring some new artists plus Clint Black, Gary Allan, and Dierks Bentley. Quite the treat for a country girl like myself. I was so tired by the end of the concert and knew I had to catch a bus at 5 am the next morning but there was more of Philly to see. We ate some dinner and then went to a block party. Really nice people and I wish I could have stayed awake longer to hang out but I was exhausted. Slept for a few hours in Jer's jeep and was up wicked early to catch that bus. Pretty busy for a few days off but much needed.

6/10/07 1.4 miles to Tucker Johnson Shelter. Got on a bus and stayed on several buses over the course of a very long day. Luckily I was able to convince the bus driver to actually drop me off right on the trail. I had figured out that the bus would take us right by the trail. No since in going all the way in town and then paying for a taxi back out. Score! Hiked to the first shelter and called it a day. No trouble falling asleep tonight as I was tuckered out. Thought I might run into some hikers but no luck as of yet. Just me and the sound of the bubbling brook to lull me to sleep. It's good to be back in nature, I missed her.

6/11/07 30.5 miles to Thistle Hill Shelter. Why was it again that I decided to hike 30 miles on my first real day back on the trail? Oh right, I thought it would make the walk into Hanover easier. I actually felt pretty good today. I thought I might be a little out of shape after taking a few days off but the legs were just glad to be hiking again. However my feet were a bit tired at the end of the day. I found out that Orange Blaze has passed me while I was off but no one else. I am sad that Salamander or Hobbit hadn't caught up but Sal left me a message saying he is a few days behind me. Hope to see him soon. Also got a message from Guthook saying he finished the Whites - I am so excited for him and am looking forward to the great White Mountains myself. Another night by my lonesome at the shelter. I guess I need to accept that part of the trail. It is really good to get out of my comfort zone and spend this time by myself. It challenges me and that is one of the main reasons I am out here. On my way to the shelter, I stopped for icecream at CloudHill Farm. It was Vermont organice maple - probably the best ice cream I have had on the trail. Nothing like a pint of ice cream for dinner.

6/12/06 14.6 miles into Hanover, NH. I made it to New Hampshire. How cool is that? I must say I am pretty excited and couldn't stop smiling as I was heading into town. Only 442 miles to go in this grand adventure. My feet got wet yesterday when it rained for like an hour and they continue to be wet today. I was thinking of hanging out in Hanover and then moving on tonight back to the trail but not with wet shoes. I hate coming out of town with wet shoes, it just sets you up for foot funk. So looks like I am going to check out the AT Hillton, a hiker friendly hostel. Tomorrow, I get back on the trail and head for the White Mountains, supposed to be some of the most rugged terrain on the trail. I'm looking forward to it.

It is good to be back out here, thanks again for all the comments, calls, and mainly to all of you who listened to my ramblings and grumblings about the trail. I feel so supported and that means the world to me. Onward to Maine!

Love,

Kentucky Blue