20!!! Mile Portage

July 2, 2024

mile 359.4-380.9

(Northern Waters Outfitter, Errol, NH)

It was cold last night. I woke up and pulled on every single one of my layers and got out to put the rainfly on to try to hold in some body heat before crawling back in bed. In case I haven't said it... I miss my inflatable pad. This foam pad is just not cutting it.

The day warmed up quickly though as it does and after having breakfast and drinking some aeropress espresso we started our 20 mile portage. So funny to think back to the times I thought a 10 mile portage was brutal.

I read my book most of the day with Henry in front of me, turning back to check on me every once in awhile to make sure I hadn't been abducted. I wore my bug net to stay sane and once again begged the clouds to cover the sun or the trees to move closer to the road for just one scrap of shade. Sweat ran down my temples and neck and every other imaginable place. The blacktop is not a fun place for a portage. The day passed pretty uneventfully. I tried pulling the canoe for awhile to give Henry a break and only made it a little over half a mile. Our busted wheels do not make the heavy load any easier. Henry was amused at my attempt and good naturedly took back over.

We came upon a piped spring which was a nice surprise, chugging the ice cold water and letting it run over the back of our necks and hands. The no-see-ums were guarding the spring though and the longer we stayed there the more little dots of blood and tiny terribly itching bites appeared on our legs.

We continued on and I noticed a white car driving by very slowly then acted as if it would pull over but continued on. When it turned around coming back this way I felt a little nervous, Henry was far ahead with his headphones in. But the car passed me and slowed by him, I watched as he took his headphones out and figured it might be someone asking if we needed a ride. As I caught up though, it ended up being a guy who has been following our journey on Instagram! Not only that, but he's been following me since my first AT hike back in 2018. He was just on his way back from completing the 100 Mile Wilderness in Maine when he spotted us. It was so uplifting for us for him to stop and say hi and get a quick selfie.

More walking, sweating, reading, and then a quick swim break where I tossed in a line but didn't catch anything. Back on the road we passed a dead roadkill moose :-( Then finally, finally in the distance appeared the sign for Errol.

The last couple miles were a struggle for me. I could feel blisters developing on my feet despite the Leukotape I'd covered the hot spots in. As we reached the intersection in town we were sweaty, overheated and dead but went straight to the restaurant and placed our to go orders, then the gas station for some drinks and chocolate and then to Northern Waters to grab a campsite. It was a very laid back establishment and I loved the vibe. The owner came out barefoot with no shirt and told us to set up in any empty site we found and that thru paddlers camp for free. We picked a site on the river across from an older couple who ended up being white water paddling legends. I set up camp while Henry walked back to the restaurant to pick up our food. We ate dinner- I had been craving chicken fingers for some reason and we split an order of poutine.

Henry and I laid back in my hammock for awhile, full and content and proud we made our goal. Towards evening I walked down to the outdoor river water shower and washed off. I sat next to our small campfire and brushed my hair out and then we headed to bed, laying down on our foam pads on the hard platform. I miss my inflatable pad.