Thursday, August 2, 2012

Stratton, ME

Before I start with Stratton, I must tell you something hilarious that happened during my rough 16 mile day into Stratton. It happened right as I was practically keeling over going up Avery Mountain. When I sweat on my face, I always wipe it with the top of my trekking poles since my hands are put through the loops. I was climbing up Avery, sweating like crazy, and wanted to wipe my face. As soon as I thought to wipe it a chipmunk made a noise beside me and I turned my head to look. I got so distracted that I didn't realize I had already planted my pole on a rock and was actually taking my face toward my hand. Next thing I knew, I was punching myself in the nose with my trekking pole. Hahaha it hurt so bad! I was so stunned that it took a minute to recover. It made me laugh :)

I took two zero days in Stratton and they were glorious :) The Stratton Motel, which is where I stayed, is owned by Sue. She and her dog thru-hiked in 2004 and it is super hiker friendly. She even has a kitchen for use, so the fellowship (now called the zero heroes) got together and made chili dogs with caramelized onions for dinner. I had been craving chili dogs for over a week! Another craving that I had satisfied was for a bagel and lox. The Stratton Diner had them and I was in heaven! My joints needed the rest again. They are not taking the hiking well, but everything is still getting stronger. The second day I was in Stratton was an at-the-last-minute stay. I got a couple of life bombs all at once and it just felt so heavy. So, I stayed in Stratton to handle all of it. Luckily, there was a cable TV in the room and I got to watch comedies all day with Mosey and kept my feet elevated. It was awesome and I haven't slept so well since I've been on the trail. This has been a healing pause :)

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