Date: 2014-08-18
From: Happy Hill

To: Velvet rocks
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

In which daylight makes everything all better.Oh morning how I love thee!I woke up to rain sometime during the early hours of the morning. I could hear it blowing through the trees in the wind like the waves rolling onto the shore. The roof of the shelter was tin and the sound of the drops pelting the roof was rather hypnotic and soothing. I dozed off briefly listening to it's melody.I happily packed up and hit the trail by 0800 and had a very enjoyable hike to the beginning of the 2.4 mile road walk in and to Hanover, yes NH! The theme for the day thus far has been mushrooms. Yes. Colorful brown, yellow, white and red mushrooms. I spent a good part of my morning photographing them. They have become my new favorite subject to photograph. Who ever knew there were so many different varieties? I didn't and thoroughly enjoyed this discovery. This made my hike to the road seem to fly by in the blink of an eye.A cooler with cokes greeted me roadside. I chugged down one and never realized just how good one tastes! It also put in a spring in my step as I strolled through Norwich to Hanover. I enjoyed this sidewalk hike through town gawking at the beautiful houses, wafting the aroma of colorful flower gardens and listening to the music provided by the creek. The sound of horns and cars whizzing by was a bit disorienting but not unpleasant. Those noises mean TOWN, which means food! So I endured that hardship.I came to the Connecticut River which is the official state line between VT and NH and took my obligatory state line selfie. Tea Bag and Fire Walker passed me by on their way in to Hanover for the day. I got to the green at Dartmouth College and plopped myself down on a bench after removing my pack and watched the world go by. I made a few phone calls and felt quite content. My parents were on their way to our rendezvous point of Starbucks. Eventually I meandered my way down main street in that direction. I ran in to Hanzel and Gretel and a few other hikers and chit chatted. Then I got side tracked by the goodness at Lou's Bakery. I got a free donut since I was a hiker...sweet! Chocolate iced glazed twist. Oh that was so good.My parents rolled up just as I was busted eating my donut on the doorstep of Starbucks. So what is one to do? Go get coffee to wash the donut down and I did. We sat for a bit and caught up on life. Then on to chores. First off the post office for new shoes. Then it was time to eat again so onward for pizza. After that we made our way to the Rec. Center for a shower and laundry. Then more chatting while my phone charged and I played with my food. Last stop was the Coop for a few more supplies. Apple in hand it was time to hike on. Initially I could not find where the trail went. I walked up the side walk a little too far and turned around to retrace my steps. I hate it when I do that. It's so frustrating. But not to worry I got back on track with the help of fellow lost hikers. I walked passed the stadium where hikers could camp in the woods. It was quite the tent/hammock city out back. Onward to the shelter I went up many many rocks. I had less than a mile before I could set up camp for the night. I enjoyed my leisurely stroll and was grateful I tanked up on water before I left town as the water source was down a steep hill. I set up camp, cooked my dinner and enjoyed visiting with other hikers here tonight. I think I might actually be in a bubble of hikers! That would be a first. Well tonight I am enjoying their company. All feels right with the world. It's 2030 and I am happily going to bed. The wind has died down and the air is crisp and cool, perfect for sleeping!