Yes, Betsy, I stayed at the Green Mountain Hostel, and it was great. Jeff still gives you a pint of Ben and Jerry's with each stay. It really is a treat in that neck of the woods considering that everything else is so spendy and he only charges 20 bucks for all the amenities.
Leaving Manchester Center, VT, I hiked with some buddies and met up with other buddies at the top of Bromley Mountain where there is a ski patrol shelter room which is rather swank for hiker digs. Darvey had slept there the night before and upon arriving we were greeted with his homeade sign that read, "Darvey's Hostile Inn." So many of us are overlapping on each other. Many of us met as far back as the Smokies. I finally saw Hazard again. He's one of my favorite kids on this trail. This end of the trip feels like a partial reunion most of the time. This turned out to be a perfect place for us all to hang out after a nero. The digs improved even more when Darvey discovered an alpine slide that led to a bar about a half mile down the hill. We had a blast at the Bromley Resort and then took a lift back up.
Here's the thing about the alpine slide. You shouldn't attempt to stop your slide by leaning into the fiberglass walls. If you do this you will take off quite a big chunk of skin. I know this because I have a skinless right knee. It looks like a bad skating accident, so I've been telling people I did it on the halfpipe.
The next day, brought crappy weather, but it doesn't change the fact that Vermont is BEAUTIFUL. I love it. There is some mud, but the pine forests and the lush green foliage make up for it all. We all ended up at Little Rock Pond Shelter that night, and I was so happy to be reunited with another member of Cayenne's Trail of Wayward boys: Maniac. These days the hiking crew has swollen and earned a new name: Terra Squad, coined by Drum Solo, a kid with swagger beyond his years.
I hiked into Rutland the next day, and bunked at the Back Home Again Hostel run by the 12 tribes. Now anyone that knows me, knows I'm fascinated by culty fringe religions and I love communes, so I ended up staying for 3 days. We did a slack pack between VT103 and Route 4 on one of the days and saw gorgeous views from Killington Mountain. We watched Harry Potter on the 3rd night and took up a whole row: Stanley Thermos, Hazard, Cayenne, Maniac, Trauma, Book Smarts, Darvey, and Drum Solo. Hiker Trash rolling deep. Drum bought a large popcorn and soda which we proceeded to pass down the row over and over again and then refill. Hee hee hee.
We finally walked out of Rutland and headed to the Lookout where there is a cabin that has a beautiful panoramic view from the top. It would have been perfect if it didn't storm that night and force everyone to huddle in a one area where there were actually shingles on the roof.
I've been waiting to tell ya'll this. Here comes my favorite update of the blog: I jumped off a bridge. Yeah! We hiked into West Hartford, VT and after a 19 mile day, I jumped. The boys were so proud of me when I just went for it after Hazard. In the end, Hazard, Darvey, and I were the only ones with the guts to do it. It was invigorating. That night we tented in town at a very nice man's house.
Which brings me to Hanover, NEW HAMPSHIRE! Yes. This is the last real town for awhile so we're soaking it up. We arrived here yesterday and walked around like it was Halloween collecting all the free stuff they give thru-hikers. Free slice of pizza, free coffee, free beer, free snickers. I even finagled a free pair of shoes. Hanover is better than reported. Bring on the Whites!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Manchester Center, VT
After leaving Salisbury, we wanted to make sure we camped on the Massachusetts side that night. Connecticut forbids campfires, so we were looking forward to having a fire again. Grandpa, the older gent of our crew, was really excited as he likes a fire every night. Unfortunately, our campsite was not fire friendly, but at least we had another state down.
The next day was filled with beautiful views. Parts of the AT in Mass are really quite pretty. Race Mountain offers a half mile walk on an open and scenic rock ledge. That night we camped at a little place called Dolls and Dwellings where they sell interesting tchotchkes. Bum Knee, Darvey, Mean Gene, and I walked down the street from there to a BBQ joint where we tore up some grass fed burgers and I had fried kale chips. Oh yes, fried kale chips...but more on the hike.
It poured like crazy on the next day. We hiked for about 8 miles before we all decided to bounce on down to a hostel for the evening. Ray Jardine says that he can easily hike all day in the rain, and I want to be like him. I really do. But hiking in the rain sucks, no matter how ya look at it.
There was no sleeping in at this hostel. At 7:53am, the caretaker came in and asked for the pillow case I was sleeping on. Time to go. What we thought would be a leisurely exit turned kind of rapid. As we were walking the mile back to the trail, a man appeared next to his trampoline in front of his house. He said, "Enjoy your hike!" I said, "Can I jump on your trampoline?" Then he replied, "Yeah, and come in quick and I'll make you breakfast." No joke. The life of a thru-hiker. Let's just say that our mileage was reduced on this particular afternoon. We made it to Shaker Campsite that night.
We hiked to October Mountain Shelter the next day. Unfortunately, our spacing didn't set us up for Upper Goose Pond which is a nice cabin with bunks and a lake to canoe on. We did stop there. Grandpa was pulled in by the promise of coffee and pancakes in the morning, but the rest of us pushed on. That night, we met Newt, our first Southbounder, and she's a woman :)
We hiked into Dalton the next day where we asked about the Birdcage at the Shell Station and a man named Rob Bird drove over and piled us into his minivan. At his house/hostel, we took showers while Rob did our laundry and then drove us to the buffet and store. Hooray for stealth hostels.
Rob slackpacked us from Route 2 the next day, and we were all very happy to do those 23 miles over Greylock without our heavy packs. It had been so long since I slacked that I felt light as a feather and made great time even though we went up the harder way. Also, on this day, I passed the point of Cheshire where I got off last time.
We weren't able to get back on trail until late afternoon on the next day, but we were determined to make it past the state line and get to Vermont AND we did. Once we reached the border, the mud immediately appeared. This state is gorgeous but muddy, and they've had alot of rain, so my calves are a mess. But I'm in Vermont, ya'll. Yes.
Day 2 in VT, brought a little pain. Even though, I ran into Bennington to get a maildrop, I still did 23.3 miles. The terrain was fairly easy if you can deal with the mud, and I did ok with this part. I did, however, get my shoe stuck on a log which brought me straight down on the trail. I have never fallen like this. It was super scary, and I was very lucky that nothing was in the way of my face or other important places.
I spent much of the next day, waiting for the guys I've been hiking with. I had pulled ahead of them yesterday and wanted to reunite, but they were too far behind. I camped at Spruce Peak Shelter right before Manchester Center, VT, with some other friends last night.
Here I am in Vermont. I have never seen any of this part of the trail before. Bring it.
The next day was filled with beautiful views. Parts of the AT in Mass are really quite pretty. Race Mountain offers a half mile walk on an open and scenic rock ledge. That night we camped at a little place called Dolls and Dwellings where they sell interesting tchotchkes. Bum Knee, Darvey, Mean Gene, and I walked down the street from there to a BBQ joint where we tore up some grass fed burgers and I had fried kale chips. Oh yes, fried kale chips...but more on the hike.
It poured like crazy on the next day. We hiked for about 8 miles before we all decided to bounce on down to a hostel for the evening. Ray Jardine says that he can easily hike all day in the rain, and I want to be like him. I really do. But hiking in the rain sucks, no matter how ya look at it.
There was no sleeping in at this hostel. At 7:53am, the caretaker came in and asked for the pillow case I was sleeping on. Time to go. What we thought would be a leisurely exit turned kind of rapid. As we were walking the mile back to the trail, a man appeared next to his trampoline in front of his house. He said, "Enjoy your hike!" I said, "Can I jump on your trampoline?" Then he replied, "Yeah, and come in quick and I'll make you breakfast." No joke. The life of a thru-hiker. Let's just say that our mileage was reduced on this particular afternoon. We made it to Shaker Campsite that night.
We hiked to October Mountain Shelter the next day. Unfortunately, our spacing didn't set us up for Upper Goose Pond which is a nice cabin with bunks and a lake to canoe on. We did stop there. Grandpa was pulled in by the promise of coffee and pancakes in the morning, but the rest of us pushed on. That night, we met Newt, our first Southbounder, and she's a woman :)
We hiked into Dalton the next day where we asked about the Birdcage at the Shell Station and a man named Rob Bird drove over and piled us into his minivan. At his house/hostel, we took showers while Rob did our laundry and then drove us to the buffet and store. Hooray for stealth hostels.
Rob slackpacked us from Route 2 the next day, and we were all very happy to do those 23 miles over Greylock without our heavy packs. It had been so long since I slacked that I felt light as a feather and made great time even though we went up the harder way. Also, on this day, I passed the point of Cheshire where I got off last time.
We weren't able to get back on trail until late afternoon on the next day, but we were determined to make it past the state line and get to Vermont AND we did. Once we reached the border, the mud immediately appeared. This state is gorgeous but muddy, and they've had alot of rain, so my calves are a mess. But I'm in Vermont, ya'll. Yes.
Day 2 in VT, brought a little pain. Even though, I ran into Bennington to get a maildrop, I still did 23.3 miles. The terrain was fairly easy if you can deal with the mud, and I did ok with this part. I did, however, get my shoe stuck on a log which brought me straight down on the trail. I have never fallen like this. It was super scary, and I was very lucky that nothing was in the way of my face or other important places.
I spent much of the next day, waiting for the guys I've been hiking with. I had pulled ahead of them yesterday and wanted to reunite, but they were too far behind. I camped at Spruce Peak Shelter right before Manchester Center, VT, with some other friends last night.
Here I am in Vermont. I have never seen any of this part of the trail before. Bring it.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Salisbury, CT
I forgot to take my journal to the library, so I'm gonna try and wing this one. The boys are watching my pack at the grocery store.
I've been hanging with Bum Knee, Mean Gene, Darvey, and Grandpa for quite awhile now, and I've been really enjoying their company. It does get hard being the only woman sometimes, but I manage.
In Greenwood Lake, I had my first mad dash to the post office. I ran down the mountain and through the town and arrived 5 minutes before closing. I felt like I was on the Amazing Race. Bum Knee ran ahead to hold the door open in case I couldn't make it. Though I'm not sure the woman would have waited for me. Later, we went to Murphy's where we were treated like royalty. Free rounds and a man even gave each of us a 2 dollar bill for luck.
I was not a huge fan of New York the first time that I hiked it, and I can't say that much has changed. I'm just as confused about the routing of the trail in this area as I was last time. They take you over every silly rock outcrop, but for no recognizeable reason. All fun and games without a pack. We, however, are packing. At least the 100 mile deli made up for it. I've eaten so very many sandwiches in the last couple of weeks.
I am gross and disgusting. I have stains all over my shirt. There is a hole in the ass of my skirt. I have strange bumps on my thighs, and I live with a thick layer of dirt on my calves pretty much at all times. Luckily, I am still having a blast.
I wish I had more time and could continue to give the daily play by play, but that luxury seems to have gone the way of the Dodo. I'm getting closer and closer to the point I got off last time, and I have serious butterflies. I can't wait to see new trail.
I've been hanging with Bum Knee, Mean Gene, Darvey, and Grandpa for quite awhile now, and I've been really enjoying their company. It does get hard being the only woman sometimes, but I manage.
In Greenwood Lake, I had my first mad dash to the post office. I ran down the mountain and through the town and arrived 5 minutes before closing. I felt like I was on the Amazing Race. Bum Knee ran ahead to hold the door open in case I couldn't make it. Though I'm not sure the woman would have waited for me. Later, we went to Murphy's where we were treated like royalty. Free rounds and a man even gave each of us a 2 dollar bill for luck.
I was not a huge fan of New York the first time that I hiked it, and I can't say that much has changed. I'm just as confused about the routing of the trail in this area as I was last time. They take you over every silly rock outcrop, but for no recognizeable reason. All fun and games without a pack. We, however, are packing. At least the 100 mile deli made up for it. I've eaten so very many sandwiches in the last couple of weeks.
I am gross and disgusting. I have stains all over my shirt. There is a hole in the ass of my skirt. I have strange bumps on my thighs, and I live with a thick layer of dirt on my calves pretty much at all times. Luckily, I am still having a blast.
I wish I had more time and could continue to give the daily play by play, but that luxury seems to have gone the way of the Dodo. I'm getting closer and closer to the point I got off last time, and I have serious butterflies. I can't wait to see new trail.
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