Getoverit & Grin-n-Bearit, JettButt & Sherbear
I spent the last 24 hours hitching back from Baxter to the ALDHA hiker convention known as the Gathering:
After coming down off the mountain, I took some time to walk about the Baxter campsite, talking with other hikers, and contemplating what to have for dinner while trying to figure the best way to get to Hanover for the ALDHA hiker Gathering. Packed up the gear one more time and stuck out a thumb.
I successfully caught rides from the park all the way down I-95 nearly to the NH border. However; by 11 pm, the only ride offers received were from intoxicated folk, so I stealthed in the median in a clump of trees.
Early the next a.m., I got across the border and headed west until once again I was stymied by a lack of rides and out of water. Only a few exits away from Hanover, I walked on the shoulder of I-79 with my thumb out. The crunch of rolling tires made me turn around in time to see a NH patrol car roll up behind me. The officer was polite and professional -- and rather than bust me, gave me a lift to the Dartmouth exit, dropping me off at a convenience store to refill on H2O. I have to say, with the one exception of that Lehigh deputy with the attitude, cops rocked with hikers. Thank you, Officer Voelbel - hope you get to walk your dream, too.
Within minutes of hiking into town, dozens of friendly faces were everywhere -- packing the restaurants, the bars, naturally the Ben & Jerrys and the sidewalks -- even running up behind, putting their hands over my eyes and asking 'Guess Who...". ALDHA camping was up out of town in a meadow and along a park lake. That night at the bonfire, I marveled at how many of us from early on were in that meadow. We wouldn't be collected as a Trail family ever again as we were that October evening.