"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."
-Lao Tzu
We have been hanging out in a hotel allowing my ankle to get some rest. These last few days I've been replaying the slip that rolled my ankle. I wasn't rushing or being careless, I simply slipped. Just after it happened, in a fog of pain and frustration, my eyes welled up for the first time this summer. Few words escaped my mouth other than those of the four letter variety. Would I be able to continue? Did I even want to continue? I was in terrible pain and my body was so tired...completely depleted. Each fall brings you closer to the end of your trip and my body felt like a collage of bandaids and bruises. But deep down I didn't want it to end. Not like that. Heather and I decided to skip ahead to Hanover so that we could continue hiking with our trail friends and so that we could end our journey in the White Mountains. I wanted to walk amongst those stone giants and end our summer on Mount Washington, the first mountain I ever climbed 10 years ago.
On the morning of Aug 19th, Gordon, an employee at the Bromley Sun Lodge, gave us a ride to Hanover for half the price other shuttle drivers were suggesting. We asked to be dropped off in Norwich, VT so we could cross the border into NH on our own feet and give my ankle a 1.5 mile road test. As we approached the bridge spanning the Connecticut river, the border between VT and NH, we noticed a number of people standing on the west side of the bridge - a welcome party? Once on the bridge we noticed many kayakers in the river preparing to race and their family members getting ready to cheer them on.
At the center of the bridge a stone marked the official boundary between the two states. There we were met by the MOST enthusiastic welcome we've gotten in any of the 10 states we've hiked in. Sandy, our very own welcome wagon, asked us if we were hiking the trail and was so happy to meet us that she even hugged us both! She took our picture and despite our ever present hiker aroma, hugged us again. Then, as if it was an honor to guide us, she announced she would walk with us to the end of the bridge. Sandy walked in front of us with her head held high and proudly yelled for the croud to part as she called out "AT hikers coming through!" In the 15 seconds it took us to walk to the end of the bridge she told us that hiking the AT was on her bucket list, wished us the "best, best, best of luck on your journey," and even had time to fit in one last hug. She treated us like we were family and I definitely hope that this royal treatment continues in New Hampshire.
I had such a great feeling about Hanover and NH. For once my bruised up legs, big bushy beard, hiking clothing and smell didn't attract any suspicious stares. We fit in with the good natured, outdoorsy people of this fantastic town. As we walked past a family on the sidewalk I overheard a little 5 year old girl who saw us turn to her mom and explain to her that "those people are walking on the Appalachian Trail." We hung out in town on a bench watching people pass. Much different from sitting on the ground watching chipmunks pass. As I sat there, the warm sun rays pressed down and a feeling of hope gripped me. Hanover was just what I needed. I can't help but feel totally energized and hopeful for the last 120 miles of our journey this summer.
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