Halfway Potluck in Carlisle, PA! (Day 88)

Today was the “Halfway Potluck” hosted by my fellow hikers and friends in Carlisle, PA. Before it started, us hikers were running errands to REI and Walmart to buy food and other supplies.

New sleeping mat!

Since my sleeping pad had a slow leak a few weeks ago, it has been getting progressively worse. You have to re-inflate it several times a night, so I think it’s time to bite the bullet and buy a new one. This time I decided to go with a closed cell foam pad because it is cheaper and simpler. There will be no inflation or leak issues and since I will be storing it outside it will save me some space inside my backpack.

The only downside is that they are definitely not as comfortable as the inflatable ones, although I hope it doesn’t bother me too much. I usually prefer a very firm mattress as it helps with back pain, so I’m optimistic my sleep won’t be affected. I bought it at REI, so I can always return it if something doesn’t work.

Shared food and friends

When we returned for the potluck, the house was filled with family and friends of the hikers who had invited us. It was nice to meet everyone and put faces to the names of all the people I had heard of. When you spend so much time with other hikers on the trail, you start to learn about the people close to them. Their parents, partners, siblings and friends. Everything comes full circle when you meet these people in person.

The company was great and the lunch was amazing. The hosts are also gluten-free, so there was no shortage of delicious food. I spent more time hanging out with the other hikers, many of whom I hadn’t seen in weeks. Part of me wishes we could all walk together tomorrow, but different groups have reached different mile markers and we will all return to where we left off.

I didn’t anticipate that I would become so attached to some of the people I have met here. But friendships develop quickly along the way. We hope to see each other again one day.

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