Day 29 - Baby Head Outbreak

Miles Today - 15.6
Location - Kincora Hostel
Date - May 11

I feel that I've reached an odd point in my life where 7am is considered "late." But still, 5:30 is too early to get up if you're on the third floor and make a lot if noise whilst getting your gear together. Good morning.

The hike today was short and over mostly flattish terrain. Which is to say up then down then up then down then up...you get the idea. So very quick going, but absolutely no views. I stopped for a quick brunch and cruised along under fluffy clouds and a blue sky to arrive at the hostel around 1.

Kincora is beautiful, an old wooden building covered in vines. An orange tabby greeted me at the drive and after making sure I was following and petting him intermittently, prowled his way to the porch. Cats at the hostel? Bonus points.

The place is run by an old fellow named Bob Peoples, also from Boston. Also there was a couple from Maine who cooked us a huge spaghetti dinner followed by ice cream and strawberry shortcake. Baltimore Jack, a trail legend for...some reason? He's...done it a bunch? I dunno. He's here, and a nice guy.

After dinner Bob gave some of us a ride to the local Food City to resupply. Ten of us crammed into the back of his truck. It was...not the most comfortable. On the way back it was worse, as we all had our groceries with us. Trail Lobster complained that he felt like a baby: too sore to support his limbs. I nodded, putting on my best steely look. "Noravirus, that's nothing. It's that Baby Head Syndrome you have to watch out for." Lobster flopped his head appreciably.

The bubble we've entered turned out to be the Lost Boys, about 10 guys and gals I'd been hearing about for some time now. They made a handful of challenges for hikers to complete, ranging from the Southern Belle (hike and hitch into town in a dress below the Mason Dixon Line, dudes only) to the Dobler Effect (hike a boom box to the top of a mountain and blast some tunes). I hung out with some of them, eating War Heads on the porch, as it grew dark.

Kincora Hostel, A+.