AWOL’s guide describes the Woods Hole Hostel as “a slice of heaven, not to be missed.” So, of course, we didn’t want to miss it. The distance looked shorter than yesterday and the local/organic communal meal meant our packs today would be a little lighter as we wouldn’t have to carry any food for today except lunch.

Once again, the trail was easy in the morning: cool, mostly flat, and fairly smooth all the way to the next shelter (Wapiti, an eight mile walk) where we stopped for lunch. Along the way, we crossed over a dozen footbridges (at one point over six such crossings in less than a mile!), with several of these streams having deep shaded water that would have made great swimming holes later in the day.

Immediately after lunch, we began a steep 1,500′ climb. On top, we were again in the Land of Rocks, with those aiding vista viewing being appreciated, and those under foot, not so much. The last two miles down to the road and the hostel were unexpectedly tough and took much longer to navigate than we had planned. Our collective blood sugar and energy levels also dropped as we didn’t snack enough after lunch. You’d think after six weeks of this we’d know better…

Woods Hole Hostel: We considered the option of tenting tonight, but N’s high standards for level-ness in a tent site could not be accommodated “up the hill” at the rather remote tenting area, so we are upstairs in the bunk house, and in the center of activity. The place does have a certain charm and calm all its own, and we are happy to be among the guests tonight.

Hikers kept filtering in until the last blow of the horn (actually the ringing of a huge metal triangle right out of a Hollywood western). There were close to three dozen folks when Neville formed her circle for introductions and giving thanks. The meal was great: salad made from ingredients we’d seen growing just minutes before, homemade bread, and southwest lasagna.

Fans in the bunk house that will also mask any of X’s snoring tonight, thus relieving her of that worry, are another added benefit as we drift off to sleep…