Day #34, A picture perfect birthday--miles hiked: 11.7

Today, Emily became my elder and we celebrated her 19th birthday on the trail. We left the White Mountain Hostel and headed up what was the first physically reasonable stretch of trail in a long time...'twas almost like hiking in the south!

We passed several ponds--this one (Page Pond) was particularly neat.

I can tell we're almost to Maine by all the bog bridges we've been walking on.

Since the mileage was short and the trail was pretty easy, we rolled into a shelter with an absolutely gorgeous view at 3 pm...thus we enjoyed naps and rest time before dinner.

While cooking with the wonderful view, I discovered some opened chicken that I had meant to throw away in town--and it was absolutely rancid! I knew right then that the next few days of carrying the stuff were going to be stinky.

Dinner is served!

Tomorrow we head into Maine!