Journal June 18, 2009 Trail Day 9

Got into Monson today, yee-haw!
It felt great to have made it through the 100-Mile Wilderness.
Joe and I got our trail names today. He's the Pirate because he's been wanting some rum for the last couple days and I am Light Headed Zombie because of all the blood I donated to the mosquitoes and black flies. Speaking of which, black flies are not what I thought they were. I thought they were big like house or horse flies. They are tiny and look like gnats, so I've been letting them crawl all over me for two days and they bite worse than mosquitoes. Dummy. Oh well.
Had some B-B-Q for lunch and it was good. The people there were really nice and the food was good. I'm staying at Shaw's and we get AYCE (All You Can Eat) breakfast for $7. There are several other hikers, a few with injuries, but all are/were headed South. Met up with Buffalo from Buffalo. He's 56 and had been about two days ahead but is going to slow down for a bit because of his knees. Birch is from Orlando and is hiking with his Jack Russell Terrier. Everybody else is dropping out or jumping way south where it's easier.
It feels great to take a day off and I got to call home and talk to Mom and Dad. Still haven't heard Kelly's pretty voice but I'll try again tomorrow.
I blew out a pair of shorts the other day so now I only have 1 pair of shorts; will try to go into Greenville tomorrow and get a new pair.
Other than one blister and some soreness, I'm feeling pretty good and can't wait to see the rest of Maine!