Today’s Quiz Question: After leaving Hanover (actually it’s Etna, New Hampshire), Northbounders will have completed 80% of the AT’s distance. At this point, what percent of the total energy needed to complete an Appalachian Trail thru hike will they still need to expend to reach Kathadin? A) 20%, B) 50%, C) 80%, D) All of the above.

Depending on who you talk to, the answer is somewhere between B and C. [But may feel like D] From our brief experience in the White Mountains three years ago, we’d lean towards C. The point being, with a lot of steep climbs ahead, not to mention a lot of streams and bogs to cross, not to mention the logistics of the 100 Mile Wilderness, the real meat of this hike is finally about to begin. We are in good health and haven’t been in this good aerobic condition in 20 years, and we are excited about the challenge. Still, it is a little daunting, isn’t it???

But that’s all for tomorrow. Today we are taking a zero visiting with Stephanie Shropshire Loeffler, one of X’s best friends from high school days and the Maid of Honor at our wedding. Stephanie picked us up at the Co-op in Hanover and drove us the 40 miles back to her farm in Chelsea, Vermont. We have about 35 years of catching up on each other’s lives to do in the next 24 hours. We don’t know if we can do all of it, but we will try…