August 1, 2018
- Start: Skylight Pond Trailhead
- End: Boyce Shelter mile 132
- Total: 1.1 miles
With the way my feet are feeling, I decided to jump the miles True Friend and I completed between the gaps. I would hike in where we got off trail. Even that was a struggle. Today’s mileage was less than stellar.
Climbing the Skylight Pond Trail where we had gotten off switchback after switchback. As I climbed I could tell it was a well loved and maintained trail. The terrain was a cakewalk compared to the majority of the trail. Today it was a challenge. With every step I felt my quarter sized blisters threaten to pop. Such is the trail.
After what seemed like an eternity I reached the Long Trail. I sat on the trunk of an uprooted evergreen and drank half a liter of water. I considered Sucker Brook Shelter and Sunrise Shelter. The first should be an easy 9.4 miles, the second 15.7. I knew I should aim for Sunrise as that is closer to my required daily average.
I pressed on. I counted every single step, just trying to maintain forward momentum.
The sound of voices interrupted the counting that was only trying to distract me from an internal dialogue of whining. Every step hurt. I found myself at a shelter with 5 other people. I realized there were two groups. I delicately sat in the middle of the shelter between two day hikers. Then I leaned ever so slightly back, unclipped my hipbelt, and melted back into my pack. From my reclined position we began the introductions. There were three NOBO week long sectioners and 2 day hikers. I explained my recent upheaval and change in plans. They celebrated my feat to which I lamented my feet.
One of the day hikers asked how far I was going.
“All the way” I responded enthusiastically. To my surprise he corrected me saying that all the way would be Springer Mountain, Georgia. I couldn’t help it. With an invitation like that I had to respond, “I did that back in 2016, this time it’s Massachusetts.”
He absolutely lit up! As it turns out he signed a certificate for me; he was former CEO of the ATC, Ron Tipton.
I thought it day 1, and I still think it now, this is a trip of trail legends.
Ron and I exchanged trail stories and asked to take a picture. He found humor, and maybe an ego boost when I referred to him as a legend. What else would you call someone that hiked the trail before the Kennebec River crossing was by canoe and then took care of that trail for years to come? That man is a legend!
I decided I was done for the day. Time to cherish these moments. These moments remind me I am right where I belong.
The two parties split ways. Ron and his hiking partner continued their SOBO Inn to Inn and the section hikers continued NOBO.
I was right where I belonged, so I stayed. I stayed as the rain started. I smiled because I was right where I belonged. I stayed, even when I realized I was at Boyce Shelter I had progressed less than two miles on the Long Trail. I stayed because I was right where I belonged.
I cooked a leisurely dinner. I filtered water. I set up camp and did yoga. I tended to my feet and I journaled. I made plans to shower and do laundry. I did all of these things right where I belonged, just over a mile from where I started the day.