Manchester

“Yesterday I woke up sucking a lemon… Everything… in it’s right place.” -Radiohead

Everybody’s got their off days. It’s just that not everyone has committed to recording every day in order to broadcast it out to family, friends, trail family, and kind internet strangers. Yesterday I wasn’t feeling it. Part of it was high expectations for, I don’t know, some sort of revelation on Stratton Mountain. Expectations can lead to trouble, a lesson I learn again and again out here. Another aspect was I’d gone eight days without any type of break. Even if you are among the lucky few who love their job, go over a week putting in overtime and your zest for the work will start to decline. All in all, nothing a shower and a burrito couldn’t fix. I think there are few problems in life a hot shower and a good burrito can’t improve. That’s my new life philosophy. You’re welcome to it, we’ll call it Stationism.

I took it slow on the three mile descent from Spruce Peak to the road. My left thigh has been pretty sore from the fall; there’s no bruise but I couldn’t sleep on that side last night and it’s a little tender. I got a ride instantly from a hostel owner who was dropping off a hiker at the trail head. He was super nice even though I wasn’t staying with him, and suggested Cilantro, the upscale Manchester version of Chipotle. The trail provides… Mexican. Did my laundry, filled my stomach, filled my food bag with four days of supplies, then tried to do as little as possible in my motel room and let my body rest. Manchester is an interesting place, a lot of crunchy people but also a lot of yuppie flavor too. There are at least three hand made sign stores in this relatively small town, which really makes me wonder what kind of economy can support that. There’s a story there. Where are all these signs going? And is the sign business cut throat? With rivalries extending down generations of sign makers? Is there some fancy Latinate word for sign makers? A better writer would craft this into a compelling narrative, but tonight all I can leave you with is questions. Should I get a sign?

I did see a great sign today. (I’m not sure which of the shops produced it.) It was for a gallery and featured the iconic Picasso Don Quixote. Am I just a crazy guy who read too many books and decided to have a fantastic adventure in order to transcribe meaning over a chaotic world? Maybe. Am I going to see my quest to completion? God willing and the creek don’t rise. Tomorrow I’m going to stand in front of my cheap motel with my heavy pack and stick my thumb out in hopes of catching a ride back to the AT. I’m going to keep tilting at windmills.

Thanks for all the love today. I almost feel guilty whining on here when people reach out with support. Also, Dean asked what I’m doing to prevent Lyme disease. I am actually paranoid about Lyme, though my fears have diminished as I’ve met a bunch of people who’ve had it. Still, it sounds like no fun, and the treatment is also not a great way to spend a long weekend, so I’m vigilant. My main strategy is lots of DEET. Yes, it’s bad for you. But F ticks, seriously. Also the mosquitoes have been rough, and Vermont has these flies that seem to have evolved to circle your head for hours. So liberal applications of repellent, tic checks at night, and periodically when I stop. Whenever I walk through tall grass, which happened often in Connecticut (where the town of Lyme is located, just across the sound from Plum Island… just saying) and Massachusetts, I’ll give my legs a pat down. I’ve found tics on me but never in me. I’d almost feel better if I had, because they are tiny and I’m afraid I may have missed one/some. I’m pretty sure I have been lucky so far. The symptoms are joint pain, big check for that box everyday, but particularly in the neck, which is the one thing that doesn’t hurt. Fatigue is also on the list, but I hike an average of 17 miles a day, so I’m kind of always fatigued, but the flip side is I can’t be that fatigued right? No flu-like symptoms, zero trouble eating, (I spent three hours the other day fantasizing about all the things I’m going to cook when I get home,) no headaches, or fever. Still, the fear is real, and I’ll get a blood test when I get off trail even if I don’t have symptoms. Though I hear it’s difficult to screen for, not sure about the details there. Also, as an additional precaution, I treat my clothing with permethrin, another assuredly toxic substance but I don’t like bugs trying to steal my precious blood. I’m actually overdue for a permethrin treatment, I just realized. Next town day, which looks it will be in New Hampshire. Woot!