Long Trail, VT

Wrap Up... [Loose Thoughts & Recap]

Well, where to start...

    I suppose I could ramble on and on about how I think hiking yet another long distance trail has changed me, but I actually don't think that would be the case.  I think, if anything, thru hiking the Long Trail actually provided me with confirmation... a confirmation that I like simplicity, long distance hiking and backpacking, and I can be fancy, if I so choose, but I'd "rather be hiking the Appalachian Trail".  Honestly, before I started this hike, I was unsure if long distance backpacking was meant to be a hobby for me or if my AT thru hike in 2011 was a "one and done" type of thing.  After-all, in the nearly four years since the start of my AT thru hike, the longest I have spent in the woods at one time, was only four or five days.  But after spending nearly three weeks out there, I have come back home with the same love and appreciation for thru hiking, hiking in general, backpacking, and camping as I did when I returned home from my AT thru hike.
    Another success that came out of this thru hike would be that I have reverted back to myself.  I don't mean that in a way that suggests I changed, but rather that I have reverted back to the people and things that ultimately have made me happy and the person I have become.  This past summer, drinking and swooning over the men that idolized my looks was anything but a thing that provided internal happiness.  After my hike, I was able to meet up with Sparkplug and on the way back to New Hampshire, I divulged to her why I ultimately placed myself in the remote forests of Vermont for three weeks.  She had this to say: "well, sometimes you need to have things in life get off balance, so long as you can correct them and know that it is something that you don't want to repeat."  Yes.  She is correct.  Is it any wonder why I love this woman?!
    Finally, a realization that came to me while I was hiking was that I hold the keys to my own success.  While it was me that hiked up and down the Green Mountains and carried my pack, a few people helped me along the way.  And it is okay to accept help from others, lest I am one strong-willed independent person.  The caveat?  Help from others is only as good as their intentions.  Cases in point: this past summer, I had a man wanting to help me with my job and living situation.  Therefore, he offered me to move to DC so I could network better and be in a city that practically caters to my college degree concentration.  This was all well and good, but he ultimately wanted a relationship and it turned out that his offer to move to DC was only apparently valid should I enter into a relationship with him.  He didn't want the best for me, he wanted a relationship and was willing to use whatever assets he had at his disposal to achieve it.. but I digress.  The other, but nicer, example would be Sam, who u-turned in the road to give me a ride into Hancock.  He didn't want or need anything from me, but he just wanted to help.  The overall point, is that if I'm going to be seen as successful, in my eyes, then it will be me putting in the work and others helping me along the way, should their help present itself in a kind way.
    As for what's next?  Well, I am sorting through all the stuff that I literally threw into my parent's house.  My room is a mess and the formal living room we never use is overflowing with my things.  I would like to paint my room (very much needed) and get some new things for it... things that say "Soulslosher".  Not literally say that, but, you know, style wise...  Clean.  Simple.  Rustic.  And framed pictures on the walls from all my various journeys.
    It has been said by some trail aficionados that "the Trail" [referring to the AT] (but the saying can be applied here) can and will change you.  If you don't want things to change, don't hike.  However, I did hike and it has actually taken me almost four years to finally realize that Josh and Soulslosher don't have to be two different people.  It's just that Josh didn't always do things Soulslosher would approve of and no vice versa.  Incident in point, this past summer, I decided to ride my bicycle intoxicated and I ate the pavement on the way home.  And being fancy... what's with all this fancy??  Fancy dinners at fancy restaurants with fussy people.  There certainly is limited room on the trail for a lot of fancy... and it's quite nice to not have fancy on the trail [and sometimes in life].  Now, I'm not saying that I'm tossing out my skinny jeans in lieu of my Patagonia shorts or will never pay an absurd amount to dine at some highfalutin' restaurant.  I do appreciate these things, but don't really want them to define me.  They are great indulgences.  As I look to the future, I envision Josh and Soulslosher being complimentary to each other and less like oil and water.
    I've stated above that long distance backpacking is now a firm hobby of mine and I have begun to think of some trails that I would like to complete in my lifetime.  Some of them would include the John Muir Trail (JMT), Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and the Camino de Santiago in Spain.  I might have a chance to hike the JMT next year with Sparkplug, as she is wanting to do it then and has since started ordering maps and guidebooks... but our planning sometimes isn't the greatest.  I remain hopeful.  Perhaps, if I like what the JMT has to offer, I will cement the thought of thru hiking the PCT, because the JMT is part of the PCT route.
    In the meantime, Philadelphia remains my current city of choice, out of the cities that are close to Delaware.  I would still like to explore the cities of the West Coast and Pacific Northwest.  It looks like I would really like it out there...
    So much to do, so little time in this life.

Hiking High - Oct. 13th
VT 9 (Woodford Hollow) - North Adams, MA - 18 miles

     After I shake the frost off of my rain fly and have an amazing breakfast of hot maple oatmeal and two cups of coffee, Arla drops me off at the the trail head and I make short work of the 100+ rock steps leading up and out of Woodford Hollow.  In fact, I make short work of any and everything today!  I simply feel amazing.  Like, in-my-own-little-world-amazing!  I hike about seven miles before I break for lunch, even though I'm not super hungry like I usually would be, and decide to make warm toasted tortillas filled with Babybell cheese and salami.  I figure it's my last lunch on the trail... gotta do it right!
    I hike on afterwards and the little ups and downs make for an interesting roller coaster effect on the trail.  However, they don't slow me down like they usually would... this feeling that I have, similar to when I summited Katahdin, has me hiking strongly.  All I can think about is the VT/MA border, the Southern terminus of the Long Trail.  In fact, I'm so caught up in reaching the border, that I missed the last (or first) shelter in Vermont and I'm somewhat disappointed because I had wanted to write a clever poem in the shelter register that I had come up with.  Unscathed, I march on, with the end in sight!  I reach the VT/MA border by 4 pm.  I have hiked over 14 miles in 6 hours.  When I arrive at the wooden sign the GMC has placed at the border, I give it a tap and shout out a "ya-hoo"!  I think to myself... "how fitting... I touched the border post 273 miles ago by myself and now I'm touching the VT/MA border sign by myself".  Still, it doesn't phase me.  And luckily for me, there's a register that I can sign at the border!  In it, I inscribe:

"Another thru hike complete, and it's all mine!
Gonna tap that Vermont/Massachusetts sign!
Stopping to sign the last register....
Yo, can't you see, I'm a soul-sloshin' hiker!"
                              -- Soulslosher

FINISHED!

Simply known as "The Bus" - Oct. 12th
Goddard Shelter - VT 9 (Woodford Hollow) - 10 miles

     In the morning, I'm awoken by the British couple packing their things even before the sun had started to come up.  They are thru hiking the Long Trail, as well, southbound, like me.  But they started over 4 weeks ago and I just rolled over to 3 weeks.  What is taking them so long if they start hiking before the sun comes up?!  I envision three hour lunch breaks and watching the chipmunks at the shelters in the evening....  Anyway, I have breakfast, pack my things, and even pack out some trash that I find strewn around the shelter, left behind by other "hikers".
    In the previous couple of days, I have made arrangements, through multiple stars aligning, to be picked up at VT 9 by Arla Foster, a former trail angel that used to reside in Bennington, VT.... until she and Chris bought a school bus, renovated it so it could be lived in, and have since traveled all over.  I stayed with Arla and Chris in their "Vortex" in Bennington during my thru hike in 2011.  I told her that I would be at the road crossing by 1:30 but don't start hiking until after 9:00.  Needless to say, I make it to the road crossing with plenty of time to spare, and I have a pack explosion in the sunny part of the parking lot because my water bladder leaked again inside my pack!  Although, this time, it wasn't carelessness, my hands were too numb this morning from the cold to know how tightly I had tightened the lid.  Apparently not tight enough...  As I'm airing out my gear, a window on an RV slides open and a man starts talking to me about how he just went to The Gathering in North Adams, Massachusetts and is doing trail magic for hikers.  However, he kept talking, not coming out of his RV, and therefore, no sodas or hamburgers came out of the RV as well and I was quite disappointed.  Don't tell a thru hiker that you're doing trail magic and then not give them anything!!   But it's all good because soon enough my trail magic for the day shows up and it's Arla with a smile on her face and I immediately match hers to mine.  She takes me back to the campground where her, Chris, and Josh are spending a few days before they start to head South.  Turns out they'll be stopping in DE!!!

Arla & I...  :-)

    Arla showed me where the showers were at the campground, and I as I'm walking out of the building after my shower, I notice a map on the wall that indicates that this campground/hostel is part of a network of campgrounds/hostels that I stayed in when I passed through Knoxville, Maryland during my thru hike, right before I had to get off trail for about a week.  The map showed all of the locations around the US, mainly in the East and West coast areas.
    Arla cooked an amazing all-organic dinner (whole wheat pasta pesto with hamburger, onions, red pepper, zucchini, and olive oil with a salad with balsamic dressing).  In the evening, we chat about various topics and it's just so great to be back in her and Chris' presence.  She has to be approaching 70 years old; she complains about nothing, and just has tons of great stories to tell.  I could literally sit and listen to her for hours... in fact, I did!
    I spent the night in my tent, but not before consuming an entire pint of Cherry Garcia from Ben & Jerry's that she had picked up for me.  She's the best!   :-)

All smiles with my Cherry Garcia in "The Bus"!

Gunnin' for Glastenbury! - Oct. 11th
Stratton Pond - Goddard Shelter - 20 miles

     I slept okay in my tent, but the nights sure are getting cold!!  After breaking down my tent, I shuffle on over to the shelter to have breakfast, where some day hikers offer me to toss my oatmeal in with theirs, and that way we can all share a hot breakfast.  How nice!  I immediately oblige.
    Today, I will go over Stratton Mountain, possibly the most important mountain in my Long Trail hike and the most symbolic mountain on the entire Appalachian Trail.  It was on this mountain that Benton McKaye first conceived the thought of the Appalachian Trail, the little brother of the Long Trail; seeing as how the Long Trail was America's first long distance hiking trail, started in 1910, completed in 1931.  The AT wasn't finished until 1937!
    I make my way up Stratton and the climb is relatively easy... must have been all that hot oatmeal.  Once on top, I meet the caretakers, Gene and Hugh.  Hugh convinces me to go up in the fire tower, even though I have already been up in it when I came through on my AT thru hike.  I needed some convincing because I never thought of Stratton as a tourist magnet, but it sure was that day.  I prefer mountain summits to not be over populated, especially with little children running around.  Anyway, up and back down I went, my knees not appreciating the stairs.

In the fire tower on top of Stratton Mt.

    Once descending Stratton I'm overwhelmed by the amount of day hikers hiking up Stratton and I start to not even step to the side and let them pass, I treat the trail like a two-way road.  However, once I come to the huge parking lot, that is overflowing with cars, I cross the gravel road and break for lunch.  After lunch, I start hiking again and the hours click by without me seeing anyone.  The trail is strangely weird in this regard.  You see a ton of people in one section, get to another, and it's like you're back in the middle of nowhere!
    I start hitting my stride for the day after lunch and remember how insanely awesome it was to be in the Glastenbury fire tower, watching the sunset, and then sleeping up in the fire tower.  With my adrenaline running full course through my veins, I start gunning for the majestic Glastenbury Mountain.  There's just something about that mountain... it's my favorite in Vermont.  I think it's the name, coupled with the wilderness, it's not super touristy, and there's a fire tower that I have very vivid memories of; it's quite awesome!
I make it to the fire tower by dusk and immediately go up and check out the sunset.  However, not even a minute after I'm in the fire tower, my hands are numb from the cold and wind.  Once above treeline, the cold and wind check in full force!

Sunset from Glastenbury Mt. fire tower

    I decide that it's probably not the best decision to stay in the fire tower this time around, and go down to the shelter, where there's a British couple and a German couple.  I make dinner with my headlamp (the downside of doing big mileage days when you have short daylight hours) and I decide to sleep in the shelter because I don't like looking for a tent spot in the dark.  However, once in the shelter (I knew I'd regret it), I'm kept awake by the German man constantly fidgeting on his friggin' air mattress (the NeoAir sounds like a potato chip bag if you toss and turn on it), all-the-while whispering in German to each other.  I snarl "what is going on over there?!" and not another sound is made.  Ahhh....... zzzzzzzzzz.

Slow'er Down - Oct. 10th
Manchester Center, VT - Stratton Pond - 10 miles

     I awake before 7 AM, once again, and I get up and head downstairs to make some coffee and have a nice bowl of sugary cereal with ice cold milk.  Such a simple breakfast, but I haven't had one like that in awhile!  On the information sheet for hiker guests, Jeff mentions that hikers are more than welcome to watch the DVDs he has available.  The sheet also mentions that he has a few PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) DVDs and I immediately search for them.  I spend the morning sipping coffee, eating cereal, and watching a DVD on the PCT by Squatch.  Squatch completed about 50% of the AT in 2011 during my thru hike and made a film that I have a cameo appearance in.  He is famous among the hiking community for producing DVDs that really showcase the personalities that you meet on the trail and how they create a hiker culture.  His approach to film making is appreciated because a lot of documentaries are about the actual trail, while his are about the people that you find out here hiking these trails.  I finish his film and start to watch another one before 10:30, the time I told Jeff that I'd like to leave so I can resupply and hike the easy 10 miles to Stratton Pond.
    Jeff dropped me off at the trail head, once I had resupplied and consumed a Subway meatball marinara footlong.  All during my hike that day, I kept smelling the marinara sauce that was previously on my mustache....  The hike to Stratton Pond from VT11/30 isn't difficult or pretty, in my opinion, but it sure dragged on and on.  I believe it was because I was carrying about twice as much water as I normally would be; I'm not a fan of getting my water out of ponds.
    Once I arrive at Stratton Pond, I ask the caretaker to "level with me" about any tenting in the area that's not halfway around the pond on some side trail, since you aren't suppose to tent anywhere near the shelter.  Pffft.  Luckily, she said, "if I find a spot in the woods nearby, she didn't see anything."  I love these types of caretakers!

Full Steam Ahead - Oct. 9th
Little Rock Pond - Manchester Center, VT - 20 miles 

     I awake before 7 AM and have all of my stuff packed by 7:15 and I'm finishing breakfast by 7:30.  I left my food bag hanging in the shelter, with everyone else's, and I eat breakfast in the shelter.  Everyone is awake, including Art, the Connecticuteers (my new nickname for them), and the two men with that fucking annoying dog collar bell.  Art says that we can depart around 8:30, since that is when we departed last morning.  I say that I'm going to get moving because I'm cold, all packed, and have had breakfast... he can meet me down the trail.  But I know full well that I'm feeling great today because of the sleep that I got in my tent and that today I will be crushing those miles.  I hustle out, aiming for the Bromley Shelter, a stout 18 miles away, but doable over the terrain of today, especially since I've gotten an early start.
    The morning flies by and so do the miles.  I reach Big Branch Shelter, three miles from Little Rock Pond, in just over an hour and 15 minutes.  I'm feeling great (it could have been that extra packet of oatmeal I had this morning) and I move on up to Baker Peak with ease.  There's a stiff wind blowing and it's very cold on the ridge, but I snap a few pictures before scurrying down.

On top of Baker Peak

    I don't stop for a true break until Peru Peak Shelter, nearly 10 miles into my day.  I even break out my stove and make warm tortillas filled with pepperoni and Babybell cheese!  I linger at the Peru Shelter for nearly an hour and no one that was at Little Rock Pond shows up and I'm amazed that I'm that far ahead of everyone else.

The Vermont boardwalk

    The climb up Peru and Styles Peaks weren't even really noticeable and it's not until I descend into Mad Tom Notch that I notice a down tick in my energy (about 15 miles into my day).  I say to myself that I can camp on top of Bromley, where I know there are 360 degree views, but I also know there is no water up there.  I start to ascend from Mad Tom Notch, in hopes that I come across a stream, but I make it to the top of the mountain with a very short ration of water.  I go into the Bromley Ski Patrol building, which is left unlocked for hikers, and cook dinner with about 8 oz of water left over.  I know I should move on and go down (1.5 miles) to the shelter so I have a water source, but I'm tired and wonder how the sunset and sunrise will look from the top of Bromley.  I entertain the idea of staying in the Ski Patrol building until a flip-flop AT thru hiker bursts in and I suddenly forget about my water needs.  World Star informs me that the Green Mountain Hiker Hostel is in fact open for a few days because the owners, Jeff & Regina, are in town doing some leaf-peeping and some house work.  I call up Jeff and ask if the hostel is open and within one hour later, the 3 miles between the top of Bromley and Vermont 11/30 are behind me and there's a hot shower and Ben & Jerry's waiting for me in the freezer.  It's nice to be back in this spot (I stayed here in 2011).  I'm the only one here and Jeff and I talked about the AT while I shoveled Vanilla Caramel Fudge into my mouth.  But don't worry, I snapped an amazing picture of the sun setting as I descended down the ski slope of Bromley!

Sunset while descending the Bromley ski slope

HYOH, damnit! - Oct. 8th
Claredon Shelter - Little Rock Pond - 13 miles

     During breakfast, Art asks how far "we" are going today and this is when I chewed my oatmeal for an extended period of time before saying "I'm not sure.. maybe Little Rock Pond, but I'd really like to get to Big Branch Shelter today"... leaving it open-ended, hoping he'd get the hint that I'm not nailing down plans.
    For whatever reason, my legs and energy can't match the terrain today and I'm more tired than usual.  I think it might be something to do with the huge mileage day I put in yesterday, but also the terrain today has been tricky, and the hard rain kept me up last night.  I strain my way on up to White Rocks Mountain and am immediately all smiles when I remember this place.  It's like a Christmas tree farm, complete with random rock cairns sporadically throughout the trail over the mountain.  Some section hikers that I run into from Connecticut say it reminds them of the Blair Witch Project and I notice that one of them kicks over a cairn.  If it is, I hope the witch comes tonight and hacks your legs off for kicking over one of the cairns!  In true hiker tradition, I add a rock to the top of the highest cairn I can find (taller than me) and am pleased that it doesn't topple over.

Quite the cairn!  I added my small stone on the top!

    I come to Little Rock Pond late in the afternoon and it is a gorgeous sight.  The sun is shining, the water can be heard lapping at the rocks along the shoreline, and I take a seat on a rock and just listen to the water.  I had wanted to go further today, but this place is just too pretty to pass up, and decide to tent about 30 feet from the shoreline and about 300 feet away from the shelter.  I intend to have a nice dinner by the pond, but I no sooner get the tent up and all the dinner supplies out before it starts to RAIN!  Whyyyy...  Whyyyyy?!   I'm relegated to fixing my dinner in the shelter with the most annoying dog collar bell I have ever heard and am severely annoyed because the Connecticut section hikers and Art are there.  However, one of the section hikers built quite a nice evening campfire and I partake in it because it's the first I've had on this hike and the warmth feels very nice before I retire to my tent for one of the best nights sleep I've had out here.

Little Rock Pond

Memories!! - Oct. 7th
Sherburne Pass - Claredon Shelter - 17 miles 

     I am now in familiar territory [the Appalachian Trail] and I leave the Inn at Long Trail eager to be not only back on the AT, but to have me see the places that I had been just over three years ago during my thru hike.  I depart the Inn at Long Trail and decide to take the Sherburne Pass Trail, which is not the AT, but it is the old AT.  It takes me up to Pico Peak and onward to Killington.  Near the top of Killington is Cooper Lodge (a shelter), which is a ramshackle of a place.  I stop for lunch but don't really want to because it's swirling mist, cold, and the wind is blowing through the glassless windows of the shelter.  Art is shortly behind me and he opts to stop and eat as well.  I'm halfway done my lunch before he arrives, yet I can tell he wishes to depart together.  I tell him that I am wanting to get to the Claredon Shelter today because it's a relatively easy day -- I have 7 miles of nearly all downhill trail off of Killington!  He says he will try to keep up.  Oooookay.

Going up Killington from Pico Peak (on the Sherburne Pass Trail)

   Once off of Killington, the weather improves dramatically and the trail descends into a gorge.  It's gorgeous hiking; filled with crystal clear water, the sound of water cascading over the smooth rocks below, plush pines, and soft dirt beneath my feet.  Oh, and crisp autumn air and sunshine!  I'm in heaven!

Nice, soft, cushion-y soil...

    I arrive to the Claredon Shelter and immediately remember when I spent the night here over three years ago.  The place was packed and I tented riiiiight here... (envision me walking over to the area, standing over it, and looking around to see if I can spot anything new).  Only now, it is just me and the sound of a stream nearby.  How nice.  And different than I remember it.
    Art arrives about 30 minutes after me and asks where the water is located.  He must have missed that huge stream that you have to rock-hop over about 400 feet before the shelter.  I know I will wind up in the shelter again tonight because heavy rain is forecast for tonight and I don't feel like packing away and cold and wet gear.  Was I always this picky during my thru hike?  I certainly don't think so.  But then again, tenting in good company is nice, despite whatever the weather; and that's what happened a lot on my thru hike, I always tented with good company.
    After dinner, Art asks me how I stayed on the Trail for my whole entire thru hike for 5.5 months.  I responded by saying that "it didn't feel like 5.5 months or even 5.5 weeks... it just seemed to flow.  Time out on the trail just clicked by, like it does in life, and before I knew it, it had been a week... then a month.. then two months... and before I knew it, I was standing on the top of Katahdin, with 2,181 miles beneath my feet and a whole slew of memories".  That was the best answer I could come up with.  And I suppose it's the most accurate.

The AT is the LT, not vice versa!

Zero the Hero - Oct. 6th
No miles for me!

     Almost all of my day is spent riding the bus to Rutland, navigating the town and grocery store (Price Chopper), and riding the bus back to the Inn at Long Trail.
Rutland is an interesting town.  It struck me as old or depressed.  Maybe one or the other, I couldn't quite put my finger on it.  But I will say that the Price Chopper grocery store had the most awful layout.  Either that or I have been in the woods too long.  I couldn't find the cheese section (particularly the Babybell cheese).  I have never seen them behind a glass door for the refrigerator before....
    Any who, I have lunch at the Yellow Deli, better known to hikers as the Twelve Tribes Hostel.  Now, depending on who you ask, they're all a bunch of quacks or they're really nice people.  I intended to find out for myself, so I stop in for lunch and order the Green Mountain Club -- maple turkey, lettuce, tomato, Vermont cheddar, mustard, on Pumpernickel, served toasted.  The food was amazing and a man behind the counter chats me up...  I ask if he's the owner (he appeared to be) and he replies that he is not; that all the employees are owners and that they all live together, work together, and share "the" paycheck of the Yellow Deli.  And if you want to join, you must forfeit all of your belongs to the community.  Thank goodness I was starving, because after engulfing that sandwich, I vacated the building.
    Once back at the Inn at Long Trail, I learn that Tillerman has called it quits and took the bus home to Maine.  I guess he figured that he had completed the Long Trail...  However, his friend Art is now in a conundrum about what he should do, continue on or quit, and therefore, calls his wife to ask for advice.  She tells him to "stick it out and finish... don't be a pussy!"  Sounds like a lovely woman.  The only problem is Art and Tillerman have hiked together since they started at the Canadian border and now Art appears to have the "lost puppy syndrome".  I can see that he is starting to cling to me in hope of having someone to finish with.  Now, I'm not opposed to hiking with friends, but if you need someone while you're out here, then you shouldn't be out here.  But I opt to allow him to tag along to my plans... if he can keep up.  I've been on the trail half as long as they both had and we're all at the same point.

The porcupine outside of the Inn at Long Trail

Technically Done! - Oct. 5th
David Logan - Inn At Long Trail - 13 miles

     The morning comes and there is no rain falling but it is noticeably colder -- very.  Since half of my clothes are wet and cold, I opt to hike in my "camp clothes".  Normally, these clothes are strictly reserved for camp because I need something dry and warm to change into at the end of the day, but seeing as how I will end my day at the Inn at Long Trail, 13 miles away, I don't care if they are wet from sweat by the time I get there.
    I hike the morning and most of the day with Tillerman and my [our] excitement builds and builds because we are closing in on Maine Junction, where the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail meet, technically meaning that I have completed the Long Trail, albeit in two parts.  The first 100 miles as part of my AT thru hike in 2011 and now the remaining 173 miles are almost behind me.  Tillerman and I arrive at the Maine Junction sign, give it a tap, and silly me blurts out "choo choo, pulling into Maine Junction... another trail complete!"  Once we have our photo-ops by the sign, we hustle on over to the Inn at Long Trail, where showers, food, laundry, and memories await.  Art, Tillerman, and I reside in the bar after getting cleaned up and it's nice to have some good food with a Long Trail Ale, of course!

At Maine Canada Junction in my not normal hiking attire..

Trail Relationships - Oct. 4th
Sunrise Shelter - David Logan - 6.3 miles

     I awake with the "assistance" of Art and Tillerman (they are early risers) and therefore, I start hiking the earliest I have on this hike (before 8 AM!!).  When I depart the shelter, it's misting with the occasional heavier shower, but nothing too unbearable.  However, the last mile or mile and a half to the David Logan shelter, it absolutely poured!  I'm soaked head to toe, and now freezing.  When I arrive at the shelter, I immediately strip everything off, completely nude, and put on my dry camp clothes and get in my sleeping bag.  I'm content with ending my day here, in the warmth of a dry shelter, even though I only did a little over six miles.  But, remember, that's why I put in such a big day yesterday!    Art and Tillerman are not far behind me and soon arrive as miserable as I recently had been.  They opt, as well, to end their day too.  We all reason that we will get into town on the same day if we hike on or not, so we opt for the shelter of the shelter, even if it's only 11 AM.
    We three lay silently still in our sleeping bags and watch the rain pour down and the leaves be ripped off the trees by the vicious wind.  It's a long and fidgety day in the shelter but I'm just content being warm.  As the day slowly passes, Tillerman, Art, and I exchange stories and talk about the characters that we have met during our hike so far.  Do you remember me mentioning the "rough and tumble" characters with the frying pans and 6" knives?  Turns out Art and Tillerman had an encounter with them and have dubbed them Charles and Manson because they actually spent the night in the shelter with these two, alcohol drinking, camp fire, and a sleepless night in all!  I'm chuckle to myself that I'm glad it wasn't me with newly dubbed Charles and Manson!  Sometimes being a faster hiker on the trail has its advantages... you can whiz past all the troublesome people.
    I drift in and out of a daze in the evening after dinner, even as Art reads aloud humorous shelter register entries.  I lie there, thinking about how putting on those cold and wet clothes tomorrow morning is going to give me the most chilling sensation.  And worse yet, all during the night, I am awoken by a steady rain and I wonder if it will let up or stop by the morning...  I heavily sigh and remain hopeful.

Trail is there... obscured by leaves and fog...

Pushing! - Oct. 3rd
Skyline Lodge - Sunrise Shelter - 16 miles

     After hearing the weather report (thanks to one of the guys in the shelter at Skyline), I know I should put in a big day today so I can have wiggle room in the coming days to take a short day.  I put in a grueling 16 miles (in the lovely Breadloaf Wilderness) and my puppies are barking by the time I roll into the Sunrise Shelter.
    But let me back up a little bit...  As I descend into Middlebury Gap, I know I should go into Hancock to resupply so I have enough food to make it to Sherburne Pass, a couple days further South.  I arrive at the road crossing and notice that traffic is on the light side, but nonetheless, I stand by the roadside with my thumb out whenever a car is about to pass by.  About 15 minutes into trying to hitch, a car with Virginia tags does a U-turn (was heading away from Hancock) and the driver asks where I need to go.  It is Sam, from the UK, with a rental car, on his way back to Boston after giving a presentation at Middlebury College, where he tries to persuade students to study abroad.  This is what he does, travels to college campuses and tells students they need to travel abroad.  I immediately tell him that I studied abroad in the UK and he's impressed and even laughs out loud when I tell him that I thought it was nice that the British paint "look left", "look right" at road crossings.  He drops me off at the dilapidated-yet-busy-looking Old Hancock Hotel and I go inside for lunch.  After lunch, and making out some postcards while eating, I head to the post office, only to discover that they are closed for a specific time frame today.  Mildly perplexed, I start walking back to the place where I ate lunch and notice an elderly gentleman working in his front yard.  I ask him if he by chance has any stamps I could buy off of him so I can mail my postcards.  He says no, but offers to drive me to Rochester, the bigger town next door to Hancock, and that way I can resupply because the convenience store in Hancock is closed AND I can mail my postcards because they have a real post office!  Haha.  Joel is his name, and he drops me off at the grocery store while he goes and mails my postcards for me.  On the way back to Hancock, he gives me a Hancock 101 tour, complete with John Deere information, and some of the names of the mountains that I still have to cross over today.

    Back on the trail, feeling refreshed from a nice lunch and a nice encounter in town, I hike on to the Sunrise Shelter and when I arrive, I am greeted (or lack thereof) by two men in their sleeping bags, already asleep!  It's not even dark yet!  When I arrive, my walking on the dry leaves wakes them as I approach the shelter.  I immediately engage them in conversation, so I can decide if I want to spend the night in the shelter with them (which I want to, because of the impending weather), so I don't have to pack away an even more wet tent in the cold rain.  I find out that one is a 2010 AT thru hiker (Tillerman) and him and his buddy are hiking the LT South!  WOW!  I finally met some LT southbound hikers!  Yippie!!  As I cook dinner, we talk about the trail (AT), but mainly how frustrating the recent trail (LT) has been to this point.  The Breadloaf Wilderness area in Vermont is unique... faint blazes that make you wonder if they are part of the tree bark or actual blazes and the vegetation is encroaching on the trail so heavily, it feels as if you're bushwhacking.  Art, Tillerman's buddy, summed it up perfectly.  He says "they are trying to create the illusion of wilderness".  Haha.  He's right though.  The GMC purposefully does not put mileages on signs, limits sign and blaze use, and doesn't maintain the trail like they do in other sections.  That's all fine and dandy, but I would prefer not to get lost up there just because they think it should be "wilderness-y".
   I opt to spend the night in the shelter and I am almost immediately reminded of a reason why I hate shelters.  Art's snoring is literally rattling the floorboards but I'm so tired from my big day, that I almost immediately fall asleep anyway.

That's'a what I'ma doin'!

Butch Cassidy (sans the Sundance Kid) - Oct. 2nd 
Battell Shelter - Skyline Lodge -- 12 miles

     I leave the Battell Shelter relatively early, in hopes to avoid the caretaker so I don't have to pay the overnight fee of $5 (I already paid it at Sterling Pond)!!  This is the thru hiker in me and I remember how I felt about overnight fees when I did my thru hike.  Overnight fees are to support the [GMC] employees stationed at heavily used sites because all of the day hikers and one-time-overnighters trash the place.  Thru hikers don't [usually] contribute to the heavy decline of these areas.  *end rant*
    I hike most of my day by myself and the weather has improved over yesterday.  So I'm in pretty good spirits!  About halfway through my day, I come to the Cooley Glen Shelter and wish to take a lunch break.  There's no one at the shelter, surprise, surprise...  However, I'm highly annoyed that I can't find the water source anywhere!  This has been a common thing.  At shelter sites, signs are hit or miss, and chances are, there's a sign pointing to the toilet, but not the water source.  Go figure.  I leave after having lunch without any water and I no sooner depart the shelter and head South on the LT when I see a sign (for northbounders) telling them where the water source is.  Sometimes, it really sucks to be a southbounder when most of the signs are for northbounders.  Highly frustrating!

Is something amiss here?!

    The trail through the Breadloaf "Wilderness" area is not clipped or marked that well and it's mentally exhausting always wondering if you're on the correct trail, let alone, halfway-bushwhacking through vegetation!!  Come on GMC...  However, today I saw a moose!!  I believe it was a female.  I only saw it for about a split second, before we made eye contact, and she turned and then bulldozed her way through the forest, knocking down any and everything that got in her way.  I imagined her massive body running through the forest, like a deer, but less agile....
    I roll into Skyline Lodge after putting in about 12 miles, and an exhausting 12 miles they were!  When I finally arrive at Skyline Lodge, two dogs greet me before any person.  This is always concerning and recently, I have become highly annoyed with dogs on the trail.  The owners always respond with "oh, he/she is nice.. he/she won't bite".  I've started to reply "that's what everyone says".  That response usually gets some looks...  Anyway, the owner of the two dogs emerges from the shelter and introduces himself as Butch Cassidy.  This guy threw me for a loop.  He is wearing peace beads around his neck, but is brandishing a loaded revolver on one side of his hip and a 6" blade on the other.  Never have I seen such a sight, and I have hiked almost 2,500 miles in my lifetime.  Luckily, he is not the only individual at the shelter.  There are three others and they are unaffiliated with him.  I linger, hoping to not send the message that I'm horribly uncomfortable around this fellow.  I cook dinner, then kindly ask if there is any tenting around (since all the other hikers came from the South).  Butch Cassidy says there is, I thank him and scoot out immediately after I finish my dinner.

The Days... - Oct. 1st
Waitsfield, VT - Battell Shelter -- 10 miles

     I start the climb from Appalachian Gap after Andrew, the owner, of the Mad River Barn dropped me off at the trail head.   The fog is heavy and it's swirling mist, and the higher I climb the more intense the fog and mist become.  There's even some wet rebar installed into the rock slabs and I trickily navigate them.

"But this is paradise, right?!"

    I spent most of my day trying to keep dry but the water droplets become heavy on the vegetation and fall with a loud splat on my head and pack cover.  It's a shame... the weather... I'm crossing over the Monroe Skyline today and it's said to be one of, if not the most beautiful sections, of the Long Trail, and it's fogged in.  Drats.

In and out of the clouds all day..

    At the tail end of my day, I ascend Mt. Abraham, one of the five Vermont 4,000-footer peaks (and one of only three to have alpine vegetation!), and the clouds are starting to lift, but not by much.  There's a couple on the top and they see me appear out of the distance and exclaim "oh! the trail does go further on!  How much further does the trail go that way?"  I reply "to Canada" and they have baffled looks on their faces.
    I descend Mt. Abraham and decide to end my day at the Battell Shelter, where I stay in the shelter alone because there's virtually no where to pitch my soggy tent.  I would like to continue hiking, because it's only 3 PM when I reach the shelter, but I've been relegated to shelter use, almost 100% of the time, because tenting has been very hard to come by in northern Vermont.  Therefore, it's this shelter or the next one over six miles away with probably no tenting (or water) in between.  Also, it's been very dry lately.  There's rain in the forecast, last I heard when I was in Waitsfield, and I almost would like it to rain so water will be more plentiful.

Possibly the best quote ever inscribed on the side of any shelter..

REST! - Sept. 30th
Cowle's Cove - Waitsfield, VT -- 5.5 miles

    After using the "privy" at Cowel's Cove, which is a shell-less platform with a black trashcan turned upside down, bottom cut out, and a toilet seat nailed to it, I opt to take a short day into town, as I have not had a short day since I started this hike.  I hike the 5.5 miles to Appalachian Gap, and during that 5.5 miles, I'm winded at every uphill, reminding me even more that I need a rest day.
   About 10 minutes before the road, I finally meet up with DVD and Eureka!  What timing!  I was starting to think that I wasn't going to see them!!  We spend about 45 minutes catching up, reminiscing, and talking about our new trail, the Long Trail, which they have dubbed the "Short & Squaty" Trail because it's anything but "long", compared to the AT.  Hahaha.  I also snapped a photo for me to look back on.  Great stuff.  :-) 

     I come to the road crossing for Waitsfield and score a ride from the first passing car.  That never happens!  I get in and immediately feel bad for the woman riding in the back of the Subaru with me.  I know I smell, it's been 5 days without a shower, and I try to make small conversation to defer attention away from the infamous thru hiker stench.
I arrive in town and fuel up on some Mad River Taco, resupply at a grocery store next door, and will spend the night at the Mad River Barn, which is brand new!  I'm looking forward to my half rest day!

Camel's Hump - Sept. 29th
US Route 2 Stealth Campsite - Cowle's Cove -- 13.5 miles

     I depart my stealth campsite and start the nearly 4,000 foot climb up Camel's Hump.  I hate huge climbs first thing in the morning; my energy level just isn't the same for the rest of the day.  It takes me nearly 4 hours to reach the summit, but once on top, I can enjoy the summit and roam free as I choose.  There's only about 15 people on the summit and it's a welcome change from Mansfield.  I enjoy lunch, taking pictures, staring into the abyss, and chatting with the GMC caretaker that appeared to be bored to death, unlike the caretaker on top of Mansfield.  I linger on the summit for nearly an hour; I didn't want to leave, it took me so long to get up here!!

Ascending Camel's Hump, surrounded by stunning 'peak' foliage

    As I pick my way down Camel's Hump, it's a knee buster of a descent, and the trail roller coasters to the MontClair Glen Shelter, where I stop for water.  I've been trying to consciously drink more water than I want because I know I'm not drinking enough.
    The shelter is situated in somewhat of a notch and it's a nice spot; a four-walled shelter with windows but I decide to push on to the next spot, Cowel's Cove.  On my way there, I pass three rough and tumble looking characters, headed northbound, that appear to be carrying 50+ pound packs, complete with frying pans strapped to them, and 6" blades dangling from their sides.  There's just something about frying-pan-dangling-6"-blade-wielding-hikers that I don't trust and I kick it up a notch to the next shelter.  When I arrive at Cowel's Cove, I am greeted by Earl, a section hiker that I have met previously, and him and I spend the evening chatting about Vermont topics.  I am relieved to be in good company and we spend the night in the shelter.

The beauty of Camel's Hump

Enjoying the top of Camel's Hump!

The Good ol' T.M. - Sept. 28th
Taylor Lodge - US Route 2 Stealth Campsite -- 14.9 miles

     Today was relatively uneventful and I hiked most of the day by myself.  After leaving Taylor Lodge, I huff and puff my way on up to the Puffer Shelter (which has an amazing view!) When I arrive, there is a weekend group still breaking camp, and it's nearly 11:00 AM.  Ohhh, to be on their schedule!  I eat a Snickers bar and sip some water while they boil their water and cook some Spam.  Dear God, I could really go for about 4 or 5 Aunt Dot sandwiches right about now!!

Gorgeous weather and Camel's Hump can be seen in the distance

    I plan to end my day at Duck Brook lean-to.  But once there, I decide to press on and I fill my water bladder to it's max, as well as my PowerAide bottle, and plan to mosey on down to the trail, where I will stealth camp, so I have a good jump on tomorrow's hiking -- Camel's Hump.  As I am picking my way down, I come across a husband and wife with their 6 year old daughter, out for a casual evening stroll.  I mention that I'm hiking the Long Trail and that I need to go into town and resupply soon.  The say they live in Richmond and are willing to take me into town to resupply!  Score!!  They take me to the very nice market, and then proceed to ask me if I need to go anywhere else.  This never really happens; usually people that give hikers rides, drop and leave them at their destination of choice.  Not these people.  The woman even goes as far to say that I'm "so cute.. I'm like a little pet", and they are obliged to take me anywhere I need to go!  Haha!  They proceed to drive me all around town, to the bakery, back to the market to get dinner (where I pick up a double cheeseburger for dinner, since the bakery was closed), and then offer to drive me back to the trail where they picked me up.  Once back to the trail head, they ask where I'll be spending the night, and I say that I will be stealth camping somewhere.  They stare at me with perplexed looks and then ask if I want them to drop me off at the other trail head (base of Camel's Hump) since there doesn't appear to be any flat spot for tenting in this area.  They also add, if I go to the other trail head, I can skip all the road walking between here and there (3+ miles because the GMC has not finished the bridge over the Winooski River).  I say okay, but yellow-blazing isn't in my nature.  However, as I ride in the back of the pickup truck, enjoying my wind bath, I can't help but feel great about not having to walk on the shoulder-less and windy road for three miles tomorrow morning.
    Once into the woods, I stealth camp by myself and enjoy my double cheeseburger in solitude.   I occasionally wake to strange sounds in the woods and I keep telling myself that it's probably a rabbit becoming a late night snack...  "Yeah, yeah, that's right... that's what it is..."

First time being "trail angels"!

It's Crowded - Sept. 27th
Sterling Pond - Taylor Lodge -- 12 miles

    The hike up Mansfield from Smuggler's Notch leaves me in the dust of numerous day hikers and I appear to be moving like molasses on a cold winter's day compared to these folks.  I even have the luxury of having to walk around day hikers, stopped in the middle of the trail, talking on their cellphones.  Once on the top, around lunch time, after a slick ascent up a vertical rock wall, I am on the summit with what appears to be a zoo for humans.  There is a GMC caretaker on top of Mansfield, and his sole job is to click a counter and to tell the tourons to keep on the rocks, as to not damage the fragile alpine vegetation.  He informs me that there are about 500 people and counting for the day that have visited Mansfield and there will probably be close to 600 or 700 by the end of the day.  I am astounded.  I didn't know that you could get that many people on top of a mountain!  I suppose it "helps" that there is a road that people can use to drive almost to the top.  I don't linger long, as the crowds severely deter me from trying to enjoy it.  Plus, I hear more French-Canadian than English and I truly feel out of place.  My hiking the rest of the day is spent behind slower hikers that don't know it's customary to let faster hikers past, apparently, and waiting for non-so-agile day hikers to pick their way down the descents.  I even see some not-so-trail worthy dogs, with their short little legs, being carried by their masters, after they found out that their lovable balls of fur weren't up to the task of walking over the large rock slabs.

On top of the "chin" of Mansfield!

    Once I am free of the numerous day hikers, I have to pick my way down the South side of Mansfield, wooden ladders and all.  It's not exactly fun and somehow I now wish that there would be at least some people around, ya know, should I fall down a ladder and smack my head open or tumble into a crevasse...  I end my day at Taylor Lodge, where I will overnight with the company of a father and daughter that are out of toilet paper.

Is it hiking when ladders are involved?

I Remember When... - Sept. 26th
Johnson, VT - Sterling Pond -- 11.0 miles

     I leave Johnson feeling great after a hearty breakfast but the climb up Whiteface drags on, and on, and onnn... and my energy wanes and wanes.  I stop for water and a rest at a stream that crosses the trail and as I put my pack back on, I notice the bottom and part that rests against my back is unusually wet.  I immediately know what happened and yank off my pack.  I discover that I did not properly tighten the seal on my water bladder and thus the inside of my pack is soaked but, thankfully, everything inside my pack liner is dry!  Aren't these rookie mistakes?!  Ugh.  I hike on, after I paranoidedly shake and hold my water bladder upside down to test it before putting it back in my pack, for fear it might start to leak again.

Mt. Mansfield is that huge mass in the middle of the photo.

    Whiteface was nice but not really any views.  I arrive at the shelter after a steep and precarious descent and decide to take a lunch break.  While enjoying my pepperoni and cheese, a man briskly comes down the trail southbound.  He is, apparently, in a hurry and asks me a barrage of questions such as "did you get water here?", "how far is it down?", "is it good water?", "that was some tough trail, wasn't it?", "can I see your map when your done?"  All in about 30 seconds.  I am annoyed by his presence and show it.  Carry your own map.  I don't have time for gram-weenies!
    I hike on after my lunch break and slip on a wet log as I am trying to cross a mud bog.  My leg enters the thick and muddy water, halfway up to my knee and I shuffle about, trying to find my balance so the rest of me doesn't go in.  I sensationally blurt out: "argh, you've gotta be fucking kidding me!"  Immediately followed by, without thinking, "and it's a great day to be alive, I know the sun's still shining when I close my eyes..."  I yank out my leg, shoe intact, thank goodness, and hike on with a soggy sock and shoe... thinking back to my AT thru hike when the same thing happened.  I knew Vermont wasn't going to let me leave without at least one dunk in a mud bog...

VerMUD got me...

     I hike on to Sterling Pond, where I will call it a day.  It's a gorgeous spot and the Mansfield range reflects in the still pond in the evening.  The caretaker there, Ohio, is a 2011 AT thru hiker and she informs me that DVD and Eureka are hiking the LT northbound!  She says she knows this because her boyfriend, who also hiked the AT in 2011, told her.  What's with all the 2011 AT people out here... After we reminiscence about our thru hikes, I go to sleep giddy that I may be reunited with some of my 2011 thru hiking class!!

The Groove - Sept. 25th
Corliss Camp - Johnson, VT -- 11.3 miles

     I leave Corliss Camp with the thought of town!  I will make it to Johnson, VT today, 50 miles into this hike!  I finally feel like I'm getting into a groove and hike on with good vibes and thoughts.  Although, the uphills still wind me and the downhills are giving my quads something to talk about..  Today was pretty much great despite being uneventful.  I did, however, try to hitch in to Johnson on the wrong road.  Luckily, I sensed that I something was amiss.  I pulled out the map and noticed that I needed to hike a half mile further to reach the right road.  I slog onward and don't bother to re-extend my trekking poles (because I always collapse them when trying to get a ride).  Once on the correct road, I am picked up by Jim, who has section hiked the Long Trail.  This impressed me because he appeared to be about 80 years old!  He drops me off at the pizza joint for Johnson but, of course, they are closed on this particular day of the week.  Ohh, small towns... lucky they're full of charm!

    I am staying at the Nye Green Valley Farm B&B, since there are no hostels in this town.  Another thing I'm finding out about the Long Trail, is that it is NOT the AT!  Hostels are nowhere to be found and no stranger has offered me a hamburger.  How I miss the South when I started the AT...
    My next stop will be Waterbury, VT.  I plan on taking a "nero" there and touring the Ben & Jerry's factory and tenting in a lovely couple's yard that is mentioned in my guidebook.  But not before I go over Mt. Mansfield, the highest point in Vermont, a stout 4,393 feet.  I'm supposed to have good weather, but you know how that goes...

Morning fog can be seen clinging to the valley below..

The Sun is Shining! - Sept. 24th
Tillotson Camp - Corliss Camp -- 14.5 miles

     I wake to a gorgeous day-- there's not a cloud in the sky, the fog is burning off in the valley below, and I'm in higher spirits.  I'm on the trail by 9:00 (a slight improvement from the day before, 9:30).  I obstacle-course my way up Mt. Belvidere, where there is a fire tower that offers excellent views, but it's still a bit foggy.  Therefore, I opt to not do the extra half-mile round trip.  The descent off Belvidere is enough to actually make my legs quiver, even while standing still... imagine Jello in an earthquake...  But my spirits are still high!  Yay for nice weather!

Morning view from Tillotson Camp!

    As the day passes along, I run into the most people I've seen while being out here.  Some are day hikers, but most are finishing Northbounders.  I can't help but sheepishly say to them that I'm hiking Southbound.  Is this what SOBOs on the AT endure?!  I'm passing the people, party, and the main-streamers... but dare I say, it feels kinda nice to be a SOBO!
    Devil's Gulch was actually fun to pick my way through (similar to a smaller version of the Mahoosic Notch in Maine).  But the real challenge for the day lies ahead...  As I pick my way down from Butternut Mountain, on my way to Corliss Camp, where I'll spend the night, I take two slips (and falls) down the trail.  The first was out of nowhere; I didn't have proper footing on a wet rock when I thought I did, and the second was just out of not paying attention.  I pick myself up, scrapes and all, and continue to the shelter, where I will spend the night by myself.

"Of course the trail goes UP!"  -- says the rock with a face.

I Curse This Day... - Sept. 23rd
Laura Woodward - Tillotson Camp -- 14.6 miles

     I wake up to the sound of rain on my rain fly, and I curse this day before it even really starts.  I dance between the shelter and my tent, dodging the rain, and trying to figure out the most efficient, yet dry, way to pack all of my gear, all-whilst trying to keep warm.  I make my way up Jay Peak, where the weather surely doesn't improve; fog is blowing by like speeding race cars, it's misty, and the trail conditions are... "soupy".  The top of Jay Peak houses the Jay ski lift and cafeteria.  I come to the windows and look solemnly into the vacant facility... craving a scolding hot cappuccino.  As I turn to leave, I notice a thermometer on the side of the building... a balmy 40 degrees!  The temperature, coupled with the wind chill, makes it below freezing.  I decide to press on, as I must get off this peak.  These weather conditions are perfect for hypothermia...
I hiked the rest of the day in somewhat of a daze; I am baffled by these weather conditions, the trail, my aching body, and my sheer hunger.  I come to Hazen Notch Camp in mid-afternoon and decide to press on to Tillotson Camp.  It was near dark when I arrived, but not after taking a slip on a root and down I go... frustrating me even more.  I chide to myself that I must be one with the trail... it doesn't care if I'm mad, those roots and rocks will still be there!
    I stumbled into the shelter and wake a retired US Airways pilot.  I decide that I will sleep in the shelter because I particularly don't care to look for a tent spot in the dark.  As I unpack my gear and make dinner, we have good conversation, but my mind is slow on retrieving facts; I am that tired!  During our conversation, he remarks that I'm doing the hard part first!  "It sure does damn near feel like it!"
After I get everything situated, I go outside to pee and notice a clearing sky.  Tomorrow just might be the first nice day!

Canada, Eh? - Sept. 22nd
Canadian Border - Laura Woodward -- 8.7 miles

     We left Sparkplug's house around 7:15AM and I was pretty much silent the entire trip; various worse case scenario thoughts running through my mind all the while Sparkplug reassuring me that I'd be fine because, you know, I kick ass!  We stopped for a break in Lyndon, Vermont, where her daughter went to the State College.  The brand-spankin' new Cumberland Farms provided an opportunity for one last hot beverage.  The remainder of the car ride, I kept looking over at the external temperature display on the dashboard, as it hovered around 50 degrees.  I remember thinking to myself... "I'm not even in the mountains yet AND I'm just starting my hike... what about a week or two from now?  I'll probably be freezing my ass off...!"
    We turned onto Journey's End Road and Sparkplug drove me to the Journey's End Parking Area; leaving a remaining 1.3 miles between me and the Northern terminus of the Long Trail.  She gave me a hug, wished me well, and then I unceremoniously walked into the woods. There was rain coming down and the fog was wisping around the trees.  I was unsure if this was something I could envision doing for 273 miles.  After all, my AT thru hike (2,181 miles) in 2011 isn't exactly fresh in my mind anymore.
    I hoofed the 1.3 miles of the approach trail to the US-Canadian border, where there is a pillar marker (#592) and a swath is cut through the forest for as far as I could see-- there literally is a border.  The wind, rain, and cold were enough to make me not linger long, but I did manage to snap a few photos, of course.  The remainder of the day wasn't too tough, but it sure was cold and I'm all wet from my sweat because I'm wearing my rain gear to keep "dry", but mainly warm.

    I reached the Laura Woodward shelter in the evening and there is one man taking up the whole entire shelter.  This didn't bother me because it was cold, windy, and [now] misty; plus, the shelter is a 3-sided structure as opposed to being 4-sided, like some others on the Northern part of the LT.  I pitched my tent, hoping be warmer in it than in the shelter, plus the forecast is calling for a nice day tomorrow and I probably won't have to pack away a wet tent!  As I crawl into my tent, I notice a vibrant pink sky to the West and I go to bed thinking that tomorrow will be a better day.

Once Again... - Sept. 19th

     Here I sit on the 19th of September in my parent's house, all moved back home from an interesting summer in Rehoboth Beach, DE, where I worked at the famed Blue Moon.  Deep down, I knew this was just a summer job and I could hardly stay focused on anything else because of my decadent social life that I had immersed myself.  If you're young and skinny in a town that trends older, that is your ticket!  However, my departure from the beach was with little fanfare, once again proving that Rehoboth is a transient town where people come to party and make loose friendships, albeit a few remain tight-knit.  I met many, many interesting and fun people and drank gallons of alcohol in total this past summer.  All-the-while staring cluelessly at my career path.  To clear my mind, body, and soul, I've decided to attempt an "End-to-End" (thru hike) of the Long Trail in Vermont starting this Monday, the 22nd of September.  I have already done the southern section that is congruent with the Appalachian Trail.  I will mainly use the same gear that I thru hiked the AT with in 2011.  The Long Trail is approximately 270 miles in total, but I understand that it's quite a rugged trail...  I'm hoping my desire to return to the trail, coupled with some of New England's best fall foliage, will be enough to keep me motivated until the end; to which I will meet up with Sparkplug and her and I will finish the trail together and walk into North Adams, MA.  I met Sparkplug on my thru hike and she has just finished her Long Trail hike this year as well.  I'm thinking nothing but good things for this trip...  This picture below is from 2011 during my thru hike when I crossed into Vermont from Massachusetts.