Its been a big day. I have traveled hundreds of miles and been in 6 different states (Georgia, Mass, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey). I am in two states at the same time as I write this. And I am within a few minutes of Pennsylvania (lots of Scranton signs!). But, that jumps to the end of the story. And we should start at the beginning…

Part 1 – Atlanta Airport

The day started in far more “exciting” manner than it should have.

I have a great track record with airports. I always get there early. Over the past few years, I have gotten increasingly comfortable with the ins and outs of Atlanta’s airport, so I have skimmed off time that would be spent waiting at the gate and exchanged it for, say, sleeping later.

Today I had a 9:07 flight to Boston. I checked the security wait times. 20-30 minutes. Easy enough. So I arrived at the airport terminal at 7:40. 1:37 minutes before the flight. Plenty of time to kill.

Or not. The security checkpoint line meandered through all reaches of the terminal and proceeded indefinitely. Atlanta airport staff dispensed free punch and cake. That’s nice, but I just want to make my flight.

At 8:58 I finally reached.. the security checkpoint. Not the gate. I wish the gate. Once I passed through the metal detector, it was peak training time with flat out sprints.

200 yard dash down the un-moving escalator. Thankfully most Americans don’t walk so I had it to myself. 50 yard dash to the train. Boxing out people from the door so I could be the first off. 100 yards up the moving escalator. And 10 gates down the concourse at full speed.

I reached the gate and nobody was there, except for the attendant! And the door.. was OPEN! I got my seat assignment. Exit row! And, attentive to my heavy breathing, the flight attendant brought me a bottled water and said “you look like you could use it”. The door closed 2 minutes later and we were off!

Part 2 – Boston

My crazy rush through the airport to make the flight meant no breakfast. So by the time I acquired my manly Rav 4 rental car and got out of the airport area, it was 1:30 PM and I was starving.

I did some quick google searching and found a gem: Brewer’s Fork just north of downtown Boston. The pizza was crispy and delicious. I won’t pretend to be a master food reviewer like my buddy Jeff Miller. But it was nice. And gooooooood.

And the beer. First up was the Lunch from the Maine Brewing Company. Fantastic IPA. The menu sold me on the Allagash White. “You haven’t had an Allagash White? Get one, now”. Okay then. I’m glad I did. It was really light having had the delicious hoppiness (just for free: if you study etymology, you’ll find the origin of the word “happiness” is actually “hoppiness”) of the aforementioned Lunch, but a good finish to the meal.

I paid my bill. Yes, morals. And then I left.

Part 3 – Jerimouth Hill, Peak #7

Onward to my target for the day. The amazing pinnacle of Rhode Island, Jerimouth… Peak? Mountain? No. Hill. And that is generous.

Those are Buddhist prayer flags in the picture. Common to Sherpas of Nepal (and perhaps Tibet as well). I definitely needed all the good fortune I could get on this hike. An overwhelming 812 feet above sea level, where oxygen is reduced and breathing is difficult. A round trip distance of over 400 yards. Frigid temperatures of 60 degrees, with the sun threatening to set during my ascent. This one tested my limits. I was worried I might run out of food and water, have problems with extreme chaffing, and get lost for weeks in the woods during the 7 minute round trip expedition.

But I made it. And I’m back. Safe. “Peak” #7 has been attained.

And now the celebratory beer: Revival Brewing Black Double IPA

A little bit of IPA flavor in there and a lot of smooth, chocolate/espresso stout type goodness. Good, but a little on the chocolatey side for me. It tasted like victory, and that’s what matters.

Part 4 – Prep for Assault of Peak #8 Tomorrow

I had a solid dinner at Len N Joe’s Pizzeria in Port Jervis, NY. They are famous for a crispy pizza cooked on a baking sheet. Very good! The owners (Lu, Joe) were very friendly and asked all about my travels. A flood of locals (all on first name basis with the owners) came in shortly after. I topped it off with a Sam Adams because there were no local options.

Mmmmmmm

Dinner!

My hotel – looking down the hall you are looking into New Jersey. I’m in New York

Tomorrow I will assault a mighty, intimidating, 1,803 foot monster of a mountain (sarcasm people, sarcasm). Sunrise at 7:23. Game time!