Make it count: Day #108 - AT Hike - Massachusetts starts

Sunday, June 28 - Day #108 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 15.7
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 1510.9/2,193 (68.90%)

Falls Village (1495.2) to Laurel Ridge Campsite (1510.9) - tent at Laurel Ridge Campsite

Total ascent - 3,630’
Total descent - 2,581’

Total States Completed - 10/14

**Rain Day - storm in the afternoon. Extremely humid conditions today

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Coming to you live from the Laurel Ridge Campsite. I didn’t go quite as far as I wanted again today (15.7 miles is still solid though) - because a big afternoon thunderstorm came on right before a big climb to my planned final campsite. If it wasn’t for the exposed climb - I would have continued. Better safe than sorry. It turned out well - I’m here now with Chickweed, Cambyr, Serpeant, and Dirty Jobs. Onward - a flip-flopper is also in camp with us.

It’s really cool to be near this larger group. I hiked with Chickweed, Cambyr, and Serpeant early this morning - then solo for the remainder of the day. It was super humid today. I couldn’t stop sweating. I had to sit down for about 20 minutes after a big mid-day climb — I was starting to get overheated again.

2 major milestones today. I passed the 1,500 mile marker on the trip!! I also completed the state of Connecticut. Only 4 states to go: Massachusetts (90 miles), Vermont (151 miles), New Hampshire (161 miles), and Maine (282 miles).

My shoes are completely shot - I can’t get to Great Barrington fast enough to get my new pair that I had shipped to me. Due to the rain - the shoes have been rubbing on the tops of my toes. My big toe and the toe next to it are completely rubbed raw. I had pain on every step today. I stopped a couple times and put band-aids on — it didn’t help much. I’m planning to doctor them up the best I can and limp my way to town tomorrow. I’ll get my new shoes and restock on some foot treatment stuff.

Still 12.9 miles into town - hoping to be there by noon. That should still give me time to do laundry and resupply. We’re all planning to hike out together tomorrow- because we’ll need to share a shuttle into town.

Time for shut-eye. To welcome us to the great state of Massachusetts - here’s Boston:

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“I looked out this morning and the sun was gone
Turned on some music to start the day
I lost myself in a familiar song
I closed my eyes and I slipped away

It’s more than a feeling
(More than a feeling)
When I hear that old song they used to play
(More than a feeling)
And I begin dreaming
(More than a feeling)
‘Til I see Marianne walking away
I see my Marianne walkin’ away

So many people have come and gone
Their faces fade as the years go by
Yet I still recall as I wonder on
As clear as the sun in the summer sky

It’s more than a feeling
(More than a feeling)
When I hear that old song they used to play
(More than a feeling)
And I begin dreaming
(More than a feeling)
Til’ I see Marianne walking away
I see my Marianne walk-in’ away

When I’m tired and thinking cold
I hide in my music, forget the day
And dream of a girl I used to know
I closed my eyes and she slipped away
She slipped away

It’s more than a feeling
(More than a feeling)
When I hear that old song they used to play
(More than a feeling)
And I begin dreaming
(More than a feeling)
‘Til’ I see Marianne walk away”

“More than a Feeling” — Boston

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Good night from Massachusetts!!