One time, I drove up to New Hampshire to climb Cannon Mountain. I was stoked because the trail was unbelievably short for a four thousand footer. Like two miles to the top short. “Sweet, I’ll be done in no time,” I thought. As I climbed Cannon’s nearly vertical face, I learned how short definitely doesn’t mean easy.
With that lesson in mind, I should have known our seemingly short 36 mile day with a 2000ft climb was going to be anything but easy. For reference, we did over 60 miles yesterday and also climbed 2000ft. So really, that should have jumped out at me.
But fortunately, we hadn’t had the realization how rough the day was going to be as we feasted at the Johansson-Bernier Bed and Breakfast. We made chocolate chip-banana-blueberry pancakes and I think we were all shocked at how much we could consume. I don’t think any of us have ever woken up and been instantly starving. We had a leisurely breakfast and slowly got ready for the day. We finally took off at 11am and started a 9 mile climb. It was PAINFUL. Reflecting back, we all agreed that maybe today wouldn’t have been so bad if we hadn’t also biked 60 miles yesterday, but we had, so those first 9 miles hurt.
But we made it! We had a very necessary, very leisurely lunch at the Old Toll Road Gate of Monadnock State Park. We regrouped and set off the for the very generous descent and rolling hills for the next ten miles. We then had our final climbs which we tackled with much more zest as we knew the last 8 miles were downhill.
We then finally made it to our campsite for the night. We couldn’t have been more thrilled until we took a turn and found another surprise hill. That one did me in.
Pearl Hill State Park (despite the hill) has been the oasis we needed. We’ve showered, we’ve done laundry in our camp sink, made a fire, and even been fed by the generosity of Kathy Barefoot, the mother of Kelly’s boyfriend. Our campsite neighbors were quite jealous of our takeout delivery. I could have kissed that delivery man as he got out of his car holding our food. It was a true feast.
I write this as we sit around our campfire, tummy full, legs sore, but so very content. Today was trying. I feel so grateful to be on this trip and for the generosity we have been shown. This global pandemic is so devastating for us all, so to be reconnected with our UConn Health community (even in this restricted capacity) has filled a gaping hole in my spirit.
— MK
Coast to Coast for a Cause 2020 