We heard loons calling last night and again this morning. I don't think I've ever heard them 'live' - only recordings. It wasn't the full call but they are quite distinctive. Bourne Pond was pretty but we didn't go swimming because the pond edges were chocked with vegetation and we didn't feel like fighting them.
We hiked towards Manchester Center on the Lye Brook trail, approximately 7 miles to Rt. 7 and then road-walked into town. The first half of the trail was poorly maintained (to put it mildly). Sticker bushes and shrubs scratched our arms and legs while spiderwebs (with giant spiders) were constantly in our faces. After a few hours the trail opened up and became amenable for travel - and once I was able to look up, the views of the forest were quite nice. We've been seeing some large droppings that look like mule deer origins... not sure. They are in the area, as are moose I'm told. Hopefully I will get to see both before the end of this trip.
Once in town, we stopped at Zoey's for lunch and they whipped up some awesome sandwiches on giant slices of homemade bread. One sandwich would feed 2 regular appetites I think. Then we cruised around town to EMS where I purchased a new pair of board shorts to replace the ones I ripped (loved 'em to death, I'm afraid), a hat and a new pair of socks. I love outfitters!
Then we did some grocery shopping. We ended up more than we probably need (as usual). I bought some instant mocha cappuccino that weighs 16 ounces! Ugh. I plan to share it with Swix, Squatter and Momma's Boy tomorrow morning.
The 2-mile hike back to the trail was an easy one. Stephan wanted to stay in town at a motel but I persuaded him to return to the trail and we were rewarded with a new shelter. This one is very spacious with upper and lower sleeping platforms and a covered eating area. Lots of benches, too. And its raining again, so we are quite happy to be nice and dry.
Thats all for tonight!
--Steph
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