5/16: Kimberling Creek, 605.5

Hello everyone! Breeze here with a trail update. I hope y'all have had as good a day as I've had, because today was great, and unlike any other day I've had on the trail. The reason for this is because this is the first day of the entire trip that I didn't hike with Wendy. As you may know, his fiancé is headed to Peru on the 20th, so I decided to give them some much needed alone time and do some solo hiking. It was very strange not having him around all day, that's for sure. I honestly can't remember the last time we slept more than 20 yards a part. But don't worry, this morning I pulled on my big boy pants and only cried for around 30 minutes or so. 

Other than Wendy's absence, the day went really well. I woke up early and knocked out a 10 by 12, and coasted into camp around 3:30 after putting in a solid 16 mile day. The big news of the day is that we have eclipsed the 600 mile mark! I'm really starting to feel accomplished, even though we still have quite a ways to go yet. I celebrated this monumental achievement with two other thru hikers, Violet and Orange Blood. Orange Blood and I built a 600 mile monument out of stones at the campsite and had lunch by the creek. What a beautiful campsite. 

After we met up at the 600 mile marker, we decided to hike together to a little place called Trent's Grocery and grab a burger and a milkshake. I'm such a sucker for a milkshake. Hanging out with Violet was so awesome. She's a 51 year old stockbroker that is skinny as a rail and smokes like a chimney. She also lives about 2 hours from Katadhin in Maine! She has hiked Katadhin half a dozen times, and has done Mt. Washington over 50 times. She had tons of pictures on her phone of the area, and gave me, Orange Blood, and Wooden Spoon tons of advice on places to stay and can't miss things to do. After our little chat I definitely have a hankering for some lobster! I love meeting people with different experiences and life backgrounds. It's honestly my favorite thing about the trail. 

I could talk forever, but I guess that's it for me. Until next time, 

Breeze