July 7 - 10.4 / 1,611.7

Hey hey ho ho, this heat wave has got to go! Hey hey ho ho, this heat wave has got to go!

I woke up this morning with every intention of going to the post office at 8 and then getting on the trail. That is until Samurai turned on the tv and turned to the news. That is when we saw it was going to be in the upper 90's. Yes, most of you were in warmer temps, but I'm willing to bet most of you aren't out hiking. You might get a little hot walking to and from your car. However, it probably has a/c as well as your house and office. There are a few exceptions.

I opened the motel door and was met with a wave of hot air. That is when Samurai and I decided that we would hike a little less then planned. I went back to Wally World to buy compression shorts to help with the chaffing. Teresa, I do have powder, but that hasn't even helped. I have also tried to use Hydropel and that too only helps for a short period of time. There is only so much I can do to prevent sweating. Anyway, I also bought some large bandaids to cover up the area from where my hip belt and shorts have rubbed my skin raw. This is exciting huh?!? After Wally World I walked to Dunkin Donuts for an iced coffee and two chocolate donuts. I then headed back to the motel where I grabbed some yogurt from the limited continental breakfast. I have nothing against motels, but this was one of the nicest motels I have stayed in and the best so far this trip. Still not a hotel though. I gave Samurai a donut and enjoyed everything else. I went to the office and used the motel's laptop to type up some blogs. By this time, it was 11, and we had to check out.

Hitching was much harder today than compared to yesterday. We tried to get a hitch in front of the motel. Eventually, we walked down the road to a gas station. I was able to pawn one on a guy filling up his suv. He drove us to the post office. I picked it my three packages. Two I have been bouncing ahead and one from REI. the one from REI had a new water hose and my new women's extra small hip belt. I noticed some tears in my pack while I was replacing my hip belt. I hope it will last another month and a half. I combined the two bounced boxes and added my old hip belt and some other things. I am wanting to get my pack weight down still.

I finished up at the post office. Sam had seen a Friendly's down the street so we decided to go there for lunch. Anything to keep from hiking. I got a sweet bbq chicken bacon sandwich, fries, a coke, and a sundae. It was quite good, but I did feel the effects hiking. We finished lunch and again had a hard time getting a hitch. A lady, who is a local bartender, picked us up. She lives about a mile from the trail. She also mentioned that her family owns a cabin surrounded by national forests. Sounded pretty cool.

Around 3, we finally put on the trail. The hike started out with a mile and a half climb. The heat and lunch almost did me in. We had to stop quite a few times to catch our breathes and drink some H2O. The rest of the hike wasn't too bad after the climb. It was just hot. At one point, we went out of the woods and under powerlines. It was actually cooler there since the wind was blowing. No air was moving in the woods. We crossed paths with two older gentlemen from Mass. They were just out for the day.

We made it to the second shelter in by 6:40. A guy hiking the Long Trail was already there. Another lady who we had passed a half mile back also showed up. We sat and spoke with them as we made dinner. The plan at first was to hike 4 more miles to the next shelter. However, we changed that once we found out there was a fire tower on top of the mountain just 0.3 more miles. We finished dinner and hiked up to the top.

We sat in the fire tower for quite a while. It was nice to enjoy a gentle breeze. I expected to get cell service in the tower and on top of the mountain. I was wrong. I am going to try to get rest tonight. We are planning a big day tomorrow to make up for the 4 miles we didn't hike today. We are also trying to get to Rutland, VT by Saturday. Sam had relatives there, and we are planning to stay with them. His parents are also going to drive up from Mass. to meet us. That is why we have to make it by the weekend.

I am sitting in my tent listening to something. Sam said that it is porcupines gnawing on trees. I hope they keep to the trees and not my gear.

I hope all are well out there. Thanks for checking in on me. It means a lot.