Today’s trek from Cooperstown to Binford started off a little depressing, but ended quite well. I was sad this morning because Ed was heading back home, so I won’t see him for a few weeks. Plus, I’m still down about Dad’s death, even though he lived a long and fulfilling life.
After dropping my car in Binford, I started messaging various people about shuttles for the next several days while Ed drove me back to Cooperstown. I had been able to line up trail angels for the bulk of my hike, but had a few open days starting tomorrow. I crossed my fingers I’d find people soon.
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Heading Out from Cooperstown
Ed dropped me off at the edge of town and headed home, while I started the road walk to Binford. It had been sunny and nice earlier in the morning, but as soon as I started hiking it become cloudy, cool and windy. Rats – I’d left my hand-warmers and gloves back in my car. Grrr! So I pulled up my hood, tried to protect my fingers as best I could, and trudged 
onward.
The scenery was pleasant, although I couldn’t enjoy it that much with the wind, which was often a headwind. Plus, the gray skies just don’t enhance the landscape! Thanks to the poor weather, which quickened my pace, I made great time, reaching Binford before 3 p.m.
Shuttles, Showers and Pizza
A woman named Jacquie is in charge of the city park here, where you can camp. The park also has bathrooms and showers. She dropped off the restroom key, then offered to be my back-up for tomorrow if I couldn’t find a shuttler. Yay!
The shower here is great – strong water pressure and lots of hot water. A kid came to mow the lawn, making sure to mow first the area where I wanted to pitch my tent. Very nice! Once I was showered, I headed to One More, a local bar where I’d 
heard there were trail angels.
There were no trail angels at the bar, but I was able to get the day’s trail journal entry posted while enjoying a bacon jalapeño pizza and some beer. Works for me! One contact I got via FaceBook will be able to shuttle me two of my six open days. Hurray!
Snowshoe
ND NCT miles today: 18.3 (29.5 km)
ND NCT miles to date: 227.3 (365.8 km)
Total NCT miles to date: 3,128.3 (5034.5 km)
Total NCT miles to go: 1,471.7 (2,368.5 km)
