Oh what a difference, a good night of sleep makes. I didn’t wake up till 5:30am. That hasn’t happened in weeks! The birds were singing, and I slept through their chirping. It could’ve been the combination of Melatonin and Benedryl, but I’ve done that before without any remarkable results. I think my legs told my body that they needed to sleep in. I’m definitely good with that.

I slowly got up and decided to cover up from head to toe. If I don’t have any skin exposed, then the mosquitoes will need to look elsewhere. I wore my sleeping ensemble with long sleeve Patagonia shirt and leggings. I’ve decided that my cotton shirt will be my sleeping top and I still have capeline bottoms. No more bites for me.

I headed down the path and quickly started my climb. Fresh legs make such a difference. My feet have been very happy and my ankles are stronger than ever. I made it up and over my first rock pile, then down to Canopus Lake Outlet. It is a lovely lake lined with Lily Pads. On the south side of the lake was an old dial-up phone. What is this? I was looking for a phone booth to house the antique. Ends up that it was placed on the trail to call friends and family who have passed.

This message was attached: Though I’ve lost you, I can hear your voice in the silent echoes of your absence. You speak to me through rustling leaves, whisiling wind and bowing branches. Though I’ve lost you, I feel you here. in this shrine of trees in nature’s sanctuary. This Telephone of the Wind is for all who grieve. You are welcome to find solace here. Please use it to connect with those you have lost. To feel the comfort of their memory. May you hear their voices in the wind. May you be at peace with your losses. I called Mom, then my friend Pam. And I cried.

As I hiked on, I’ve been noticing that my Trail Runners- Brooks Cascadia’s are not holding up so well. I think a lot has to do with the rocks and boulders, but the souls are falling apart. I have a new pair coming July 1st, however, I still need these to do their job for the upcoming 200 miles. As I came around the corner, I saw Tom sitting on the ground. He had his worldly possessions all strung out.

I stopped to see if all was good. Tom told me his food bag wasn’t fitting in his pack and he was readjusting his load. We talked for awhile and I told him about my shoe dilemma. Tom is a Handyman and he quickly went into work mode. I have something that could help hold that shoe together for you. Before I knew it, he had his magic tape, not duct tape but something much more industrial looking. He is repairing my shoe on the side of the trail. My own personal shoe cobbler!

After he’s done, I thank him and bid farewell. Ends up he’s headed to Lake Canopus to get water. I’m headed north. Once I get to the turn off, I realize I can use a bit more water and take the blue blaze. Typically that indicates water or a different trail. I head to the shore and rest for a bit. Just as I’m getting ready to leave, Tom shows up. I point him to the water supply and end up walking with him.

We run into another hiker I have not met yet. His name is Pamcho. We all talk about trail woes, and as I’m leaving again, Can’t Get Up Will comes out of the bathroom. She’s the gal I met on Day One and her fiancé, Poncho, has joined her. We have a bit of a reunion, but now a half an hour later, I’m really ready to leave. I wanted to get some more miles in before the rain started.

Tom walks back with me and proceeds to make some coffee. One cup of coffee won’t make a difference. We talk a bit longer, drink some Java and I bid him farewell for the final time. Most likely I will not see him again as he hikes no more than six to eight miles a day, but I sure enjoyed his company. And extremely grateful for my shoe repair. Thanks Tom.

I scurried on and pushed through the next five miles before stopping for lunch. There was a shelter and I sat down with another hiker, Forest. He decided to stay put till the impending storm blew by. I figured I still had time and left, hiking into the dark omnibus clouds. Sure enough, Forest was right. Within ten minutes, the sky opened up and the rain started falling.

I donned my umbrella and off I went. This umbrella I have is worth it’s weight in gold. It makes such a difference. Instead of wearing a rain jacket or poncho, I just pop up my umbrella, and all is good in my world. It covers me and most my pack, and I’m not all hot and sweaty from wearing my jacket. It’s a lifesaver. I hiked up and over the mountain, again, and made my way to the Pizza/Deli in Stormville, NY. Seriously, that’s the name of the town. You can’t make this stuff up!

By 5pm, I was ordering a Pizza and drinking a canned margarita. While they were making my pizza, I pitched my tent on their manicured grass in back. This is a proper place to stay the night. I have all that I need. A sheltered area under the trees for my tent, soft grass to drive my stakes into and fresh pizza in my belly. I think that ends my most incredible day. And without any additional mosquito bites. Life is quite outstanding.