Day 109, Mark Noepel Shelter

Today started with breaking out of camp and the tail of two towns the first town is Dalton MA for breakfast at the juice N’ Java coffee house. I got the burrito special a latte mocha, banana, orange juice , coffee, and coffee cake to fuel me down the trail. When I arrived at Cheshire and Diana's Twist I added a meatball sub, a ham and cheese on rye, large hot fudge Sunday and 2 orange crush sodas for lunch. During my lunch break a fellow hiker made the decision to end their journey as the hardships of the trail had ended their journey. This hiker had lost 80 pounds at this point and decided it best to stop a decision I understand and supported. I only hope the hiker COSTCO got off trail and consulted his doctor to be sure he was going to be well. On trail hikers endure many issues- food selection, injuries, illness, mental let down and just a feeling of being worn out from hiking. I’ve found that pushing thru these times has a lot to due with individual strength and the support of those around you. I hope all those around me find a way to make it to the end as many have left the trail. I hope I have the strength and strength of spirit to push thru to the finish as there are many tough miles ahead of me.