Everyone needs a day off every now and then. The only problem on the trail for most people is that is gets quite expensive after awhile. It's amazing the number of people who arrive in Monson short of money. Major topics of conversion around here are food and money (Brother can you spare a $100). Monson lacks an ATM's that only makes the mater worse. The lack of good stores makes purchasing food for the wilderness sections an expensive proposition. I spent close to $40 for just breakfast, lunch and snacks for Brandon and me for 6 days.

After doing our mandatory chores of preparing for the next few days, we basically crashed for the rest of the day. A horseshoe pit in the lot across the street provided a good distraction for a couple hours. Others spent most of the afternoon watching a golf match and eating and drinking everything in sight.

Later this evening we went over to The Pie Lady B&B to say good-bye to Cowboy. We have been hiking on and off with him and Easy 8 since Hanover. It's doubtful we'll see him again. He is laying over another day and will probably climb Katahdin the day after us. It felt strange saying good-bye this time. Considering all the other times when we would watch them hike off and figure we'd never catch up. Now it is our time to strike out ahead. We have to finish on the 24^th. Our plane ticket home is for the 25^th and I don't want to spend the money to change it.

Today we woke up early even though we were taking a day off. We ate breakfast, then went in the other room along with everyone else and watched TV. In the morning we organized our food and packs and watched a golf tournament on TV. Later that morning, Easy 8 arrived and checked in at Shaw's. All day we hung out between Shaw's and the store down the street. We also played horseshoes for a while. Later, we went down the street to the Pie Lady's. That's the other hiker hostel in town. We met Seeker Street and Joplin who were staying there. They are pretty cool. Had a great time on our day off.