Things Have Changed

August 21&22 Mile 1755.9
Miles to go 425.1-
With a threat of storms and the fact that we didn't want to get out of bed yesterday morning was reason enough to take a zero day in Hanover. It was nice to watch our favorite tv show CBS Sunday Morning, have another shower, and catch a matinee. While having dinner at a Korean restaurant Shadow and I were discussing what life will be like when we get back to the real world. We asked each other how easy it will be to slip back into the go-go-go mode. Will this experience have long term effects on the way we do things? In many ways the simplicity of life has been nice. Although I miss have my Subaru when we are in town, I don't miss having to monitor my phone all the time.
After a full breakfast this morning we headed out for our first full day in New Hampshire. Word from the SOBOs is that starting in the next 20 miles and going into Southern Maine, the trail is going to be rough and not very forgiving. Our guide says that NH is the most challenging state. The "krummholz zone" is coming soon. This is where the trees are stunted with flag-like tops from stress of wind and cold. Much of the trail is above tree line where the temperatures change suddenly and snow is possible in any season. Mt. Washington has had snow in every month of the year and has an average Summer high of 52 degrees!
On a different note, I was walking behind Shadow today and thought of something. The girth of his pack is larger than the girth of him! He is skin and bones hidden behind a beard and long hair.



Country Mouse and Shadow still NOBO (North Bound)