It was a rainy night, and I woke with my gear all more wet than when I went to sleep. Then things quickly got worse, as I realized the weakening laces in my Saloman shoes had finally split apart. This wouldn't be a problem if the shoe took normal laces, but it's designed to fit thin kevlar laces instead. I only had a 3.5 mile hike to the ATC museum and the half gallon challenge, and every step felt like my right foot was in a slipper.
We did have one pitstop along the way, as we finally hit the true halfway point on this runaway trail. One quick photo op later, and Mr. Fantastic, Eva, and myself were continuing on towards a nauseous future. We caught up with Short Term at the road, and walked the short trip to the general store that is the home of the half gallon challenge.
By the time all of the 1.5 quart ice cream containers were dispersed (I know it's a pint shy of a real half gallon, but that's how they sell them now), we had a rather large crew of challengers. Red Fury and High Life started before us, then Knock on Wood and Yoopak (previously misspelled U-Pack), and finally Eva, Free, and Short Term. And Short Term doesn't even like I've cream.
Mr. Fantastic and I both went with Cookies all located together, I assume, to collect our sound and smell pollution. Jukebox and Slim were kind enough to throw our laundry in with theirs, and we watched tv and took showers in the meantime. Once back in our clean duds, we all trotted back to the main office to find the bar. Mr. Fantastic and I enjoyed a beautiful AYCE before joining the rest. It was at this time that plans were made. While enjoying an assortment of sushi, meat, and potatoes, my mom and I schemed. With my shoelace debacle, and Mr. Fantastic's current plans to leave the trail, we had a possible option to discuss. Instead of picking us up on Thursday for the wedding, I asked if they could pick us up any sooner. My problem was a distinct lack of gear shops in the area, to buy kevlar laces or new shoes. But back at home.. REI is KING! Plus, in that extra time I could easily see Moonrise Kingdom.
When discussed, my mom offered to pick us up tomorrow morning, bringing Mr. F to his "Boo-sauce", and me to Wildwood with them. It sounded too perfect to pass up. Not to mention, that ending the trail at the halfway point could have some poetic finality for Mr. Fantastic. We said yes.
It was time to take our place among our friends at the bar, and turn the night into a celebration. The rest is mostly a blur, but involved a few key points of reference. We all had a couple of drinks, and then went up to Jukebox and Slims room to enjoy the wine that we had nipped from the "Free cheese & wine" downstairs. After those bottles were done, Mr. Fantastic and Eva procured 2 carafes from our friendly neighborhood bar tender across the street. After those carafes were done, we all went to said bar tender across the street to up the ante. Things got a little crazy at this point, but eventually led to us being cut off. A quick .1 hike brought us back to our rooms, where everyone split up for their respective Z's.
Tomorrow morning will be the beginning of something crazy: a trip home. I have every intention of coming back out to the trail and attempting the second half alone, but it will require a lot of adapting. I don't think I would have made it this far without having a Mr. Fantastic to lean on during the bad days. Having emotional support built-in always helps, even if it did frequently come from a sideways angle. I probably won't blog much, if at all, for this week, since I won't really be wandering. When no place is home, everywhere is home. When someplace is home, after 3 full months without one, it may be tough to leave. Hopefully I make the right choice.
