July 26, 2009 AT Mile 537.8 = 24.7% completed

Andrew is in Manchester Center, VT. He's arrived happy and in good spirits. He enjoyed hiking a few days on his own, but is seeing a lot more people now. Today he met 15 NoBo, plus the local trail maintenance volunteers, and he only hiked a half day. He stopped to help the volunteers, as an appreciation for all they work they do on the trails, and then they bought him his dinner in town. Or I should say, his 4:30 dinner in town, because he's got a second dinner planned before bed time. (I guess a Hobbit enjoys "second breakfast", so it's fitting that hikers enjoy "second dinner"? at least when they are in town.)

Buffalo is only a day ahead of him now, and Brunch called him, to "do brunch" tomorrow before he heads out. Interesting how they can keep up with friends they are making on the trail. :-)

He said the only rain has been at night, and that makes the days hiking much nicer. He said he is feeling good, his knees are fine, and the hills in VT are much more gentle declines, so he's been picking up a comfortable and still enjoyable pace. He's lost more weight, so he's going to try adding margarine to his pack and putting it on all his food.

Andrew is updating his journal pages with his next set of pictures, so he can get the camera card in the post to me (oh my, I haven't put the labels on the last batch...I better get to it!)