Welcome to Massachusetts! Right before a massive thunderstorm.
An update from Lee, MA. That's right...we're finally back in New England! The flora and fauna seem familiar again and we find that we can forgive the hills (sometimes...on a good day) because the scenery feels like home.
Our last week of hiking can be summed up in a single word: damp. During the first half of the week, this was due entirely to sweat. Although the temperatures weren't unbearable, the high humidity meant that we were drenched in sweat by the time we left camp in the early morning. It wasn't too bad on the first day, but putting on the same slimy wet clothes on subsequent days was disgusting!
The latter half of the week brought thunderstorms. The rain actually felt fantastic after the humidity, but the continued dampness has left us with a few blisters and some chafing in unmentionable places. We're happy to be drying out in the motel and look forward to an upcoming stretch of dryer weather.
On the most humid day, our pace was really dragging and we still had five miles to hike after our late afternoon break. We reluctantly gathered our packs and started along a stretch of road connecting sections of the trail when the skies opened and rain poured down. Our walk became a trudge as we contemplated arriving at camp very late and soggy. Just then a car pulled up and a voice called out, "Do you want a ride to the trailhead near the campsite?" YES!!! Our new friend dropped us at a side trail within half a mile of our destination. Such relief! Purists might argue that we skipped about three miles of the trail, but the help was exactly what we needed in that moment. Thank you trail angel!
We're absolutely loving the trail in Massachusetts - it might be our favorite state so far. All going well, we will cross into Vermont in three or four days and can't wait to be closer to home.
- Sweet Pea
Google album link, new photos at the bottom: https://goo.gl/photos/yVaQgu5Xce88YoVb8
The largest tree on the AT and over 300 years old. Imagine everything this tree has seen!
The woods in New England have been lushly green and gorgeous
We crossed 1500 miles...fewer than 700 to go.