Learning Lessons in Maine Magic

The cure path

There is an adage among hikers: «The cure path.» Well, not always. But recently it was true for an unexpected stay in Maine. After three days resting my quad tensioning in an excellent shelter, plus three nearby (almost zero days of mileage), I was ready to reach the path again.

My time at Shaw’s Hiker Hostel, in Monson, Maine, was incredible. Against dancing with other hikers one night, a local sauna in one lake to the following: heat in the sauna and then dive in the lake, repetition, with the sun putting on the water. Pure self -care. It is probably why I healed so fast.

If an injury has an advantage, this was all. They forced me to reduce speed, and laugh and swim in this beautiful place with new incredible friends. It sounds strange, but at that time, I felt grateful for my injury.

I definitely wanted to walk, but I took full advantage of my days that are not handling in Maine Magic. Ice cream in the local store, Chating Lazy with other hikers, caressing a kitten (always an advantage!). My former hiker friend Sugar, who is trying the FKT of self -supported women (faster known time) of the AT, appeared in Shaw’s to prepare for her walk. Having time with sugar and their incredible couple for a few hours was a breath of fresh air. When I put on my injury, they lifted my mood. My leg gradually healed and my hope of walking soon increased.

Walking again, with the company

Finally, after three days that felt like weeks, I got to the road, I recovered and very anxious. Another hiker in the southern direction, the name of the path, was also going to leave. We start together, then we ended up walking a whole week together. It was a pleasant surprise to have a hiking partner. He had not expected a hiking company during this walk based on the mileage he was planning.

One of the things that I love most through use is what you learn from and about other hikers. I learned that this is Boo’s first long distance walk, and I had never walked more than 23 miles in a day before. I was impressed by his strength. Walking together, we averaged 24 miles per day for six days in a row, plus 30 thrown. I also surprised. I was not sure he was able to this type of mileage and elevation at the beginning of a walk, especially with the rugged land of southern Maine.

Boo in a great cliff

Boo had an admirable capacity to stay positive, motivated and determined, even through great fatigue. And I was always depressed for an additional adventure. On our third day, walking together, just before the big ones, I suggested: «Do you want to wake up at 3:30 am to walk through the mountain for dawn tomorrow?» His immediate response: «Yes!» I do not know many people who would be so excited about something so wild and strenuous. Again, I felt a wave of gratitude in Maine: a new friend who is ready for anything. We took our walk for dawn, but unfortunately, it was a cloud and gray morning, without dawn in sight. It was disappointing, but fortunately, the incredible sunset at the top of the Saddlebacks the next day compensated.

Looking for the «dawn»

That night after the sunset, we decided the jeans camp (sleep under the stars without tent or shelter) next to a lake. Around 9:30 pm, we were getting to sleep when, who is coming? Sugar, sailing fast! It was good luck to meet her, because as part of her self -supported FKT, she is not allowed to plan meetings. Sugar Cowboy camped with us, but unlike us, he woke up at 3:30 am to get going. She is an inspiration for all of us.

Sunset from saddlebacks

More Magic of Maine

Boo and I walked together for several more days, crushing miles, collecting wild blueberries, swimming almost every day and laughing a ton. I followed your example of hydration and nutrition. It is probably the first through the hiker that I have known that you drink more water than me.

It was difficult to keep walking when there were so many blueberries along the path!

We pressed one day to get to Sterling Inn, a shelter in Catatunk, where we obtained a work by stay (free space in exchange for a simple job such as washing dishes, changing sheets, etc.). We have to shower, wash clothes, sleep in a bed and eat some of the best French toast we had: a luxurious life. In addition, there were two adorable Golden retrievers to pet.

Magic of the path

Maine’s magic continued. We receive an overwhelming amount of «trail magic» from various different sources in this southern part of the state. (Trail Magic is incredible, when you find a kind soul that spends the day on the path offering free food, sweets, soft drinks and snacks to the hikers who come … just to help them) my hunger for hikers had officially entered; I would fill me for a minute and be ready for a complete meal 30 minutes later. So he was very grateful for all the additional magic impulses of Trail. They invited us to Pizza, vegetarian chicken parm sandwiches, grill cheese, soft drinks, gatorade, sweets, filtered water (a luxury here) and much more.

I ate this vegetarian chicken parm sandwich in two snacks

I was enjoying my time with my Boo excursion partner. But, he knew that he would probably return to hiking alone soon.

Through the realization together, closer to people very fast. They literally spend almost all day in the presence of the other, and every day he feels like an adventure. After only three days of walking together, we feel as if we had met for three months. When we arrived at the famous Mahosuc notch (often called «the most difficult mile in the at»), Boo wanted to take it easy to enjoy it fully, understandably. But I had done it before and wanted a new challenge, so I decided to do all the Mahosuc traverse in one day: 30 miles, 10,000 vertical feet.

Walking on Mahosuc’s notch

This is where we separate after our week.

Walking for Maine again, I have appreciated running through my memories of my first time through seven years ago. It feels so special to be back. Everything feels familiar, but such a new experience at the same time. I guess that was my goal that came here.

My quad has had some regressive moments, but it is better in the trend in general. I am proud of my body and its ability to return. I am proud of my mind for not giving up. I feel grateful that sometimes the path in fact Sane. And Maine gave me exactly the combination of mountains, people, magical moments and rest he needed to heal and walk again.

Boo and I about Saddleback Mountain

I love AT, and Maine is one of my favorite parts. I also love New Hampshire, but crossing the state border felt bittersweet. It saddens me to have ended with Magic Maine, where I learned a lot about me and the others. Fortunately, there is more magic ahead: the white mountains.