START TIME: 4:30 AM 
END TIME: 10:15 PM
We made it to Hanover! Jen was really hurting this morning. Warren said she was running on adrenaline when she was above tree line in the Whites, and now that that’s over, she’s going to have to settle down into a routine with less excitement but no less work.
There were low clouds and fog again all day today, but it only rained for about half an hour right after dark. Jen arrived at the third road crossing at about 2 o’clock and was frustrated that she didn’t have more energy, but she really picked it up this afternoon and cranked out the last 19 miles at a much faster pace than the first 24.
A big part of that was that Melissa hiked with her for the last 18 miles of the day. It’s been awesome how Melissa has stepped up since Jen’s shin splints started hurting. Melissa primarily came along to shoot photos and video footage, and maybe hike a little bit when she had time, but those priorities have definitely changed in the last week or so. She’s been hiking big chunks of the trail with Jen, keeping her company and making sure she doesn’t have to take extra steps at ambiguous trail junctions.
Another big encouragement the second half of the day was when Jen’s friend J (“Mooch” to those of you who’ve read Jen’s memoir about her first thru-hike, Becoming Odyssa) drove down from St. Johnsbury, Vermont, to keep Jen and Melissa company for the last two or three miles and help set up camp.
Jen continues to impress us with her perseverance. In spite of the shin splints, sleep deprivation (she’s used to getting 9 hours and she’s been getting 6), and continued dreary weather, she’s maintaining a very strong pace and an upbeat attitude.
FOOD: I got to eat an enormous bacon cheeseburger and fries from Murphy’s in Hanover. We brought Jen a chicken burrito from Boloco for lunch and chicken pad thai and red curry with steak from Mai Thai for dinner. She’s eating well and seems to be maintaining her weight better than last time, when she lost 15 pounds in the first four weeks.