Date: 2014-07-06
From: West Hartford, VT

To: Norwich, VT
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Mission was out and gone by 5:20, and I knew that only going 7 miles for the day that I didn't need to get up too terribly early. I headed downstairs all packed and ready to go when the Hart's brought me back into their house for some coffee and breakfast. What great heart these people have to just open their house and serve other that are hiking. At first it was apple pie and coffee and that soon turned into bacon, eggs and toast. Of course with yet another slice of pie afterwards. On the trail I head with ear phones on heading towards New Hampshire. One of the things I have been disappointed with since I have been on the trail, is the several people that said they would, at some point, join me on the hike. That unfortunately has not happened for whatever reason. I was thinking to myself today what would I do if I knew someone that was on the trail attempting this 5 1/2 month journey? Would I help out with food, or support? Would I join them for a long weekend? I would think I would but then again I realize that this does not fascinate others like it does me. When Bill Bryson talked about in his book "A Walk in the Woods" when he first moved to Hanover, NH and discovered the AT, he was just simply in awe that he could walk out of his house, hit a dirt path, and eventually follow it all the way to Georgia. I felt that same way when I kept reading about the AT this time last year. It's just captivated and mystified me. Who wouldn't want to do this? But the more I hike I realize that this not for everyone. Maybe other people simply understood without even stepping foot on trail how hard, long and exhausting it could all be. This is definitely the most difficult thing I have ever done, yet still the most rewarding. I know this time next year I will look back at these journals, stare at the pictures and wish I was back again....... I'm ranting and I know it. It's just one of those days. Perhaps I gave my thinking brain too much of a break by listening to my book on tape that it's cutting loose? You couldn't miss Norwich or Hanover on the AT if you tried. Perhaps the longest stretch of civilization on the trail with over 2 miles of streets, shops, highways, and lots of food. The other great part of this town is the trail angels that open up their home to hikers, over 25 of them on a list as soon as you walk into town. The moment I got out of the woods on Elm street in Norwich I see a gentleman filling up his cooler at the end of his driveway for hikers to plunder. He noticed me, waived me down then introduced himself as Warren. He handed me a Mountain Dew, and told me all about the people on the list that offered their home up for stay including himself. I saw on his cooler as he went back up the driveway to his home, I looked over the list and pondered what I was going to do. I finally just went to his door and told him I was staying here for the night. What a house this was, looking over the mountains and into New Hampshire. I asked him about getting a ride into Hanover which is about 2 miles away, and he just threw me the keys to his fairly new Subaru and said "I trust you" Hanover is the home of Dartmouth College, an Ivy league school with the trail going right through and down Main St. Several places in town offer free food to hikers, pizza, bagels among other stuff. This is also the only place where a Starbucks is right on the AT, so I took a picture. I did indulge myself with the free slice of cheese pizza along with a buffalo chicken slice that was might tasty. A quick resupply and back to Warren's house I would go........ If I could only find his car.. :/ Uh Oh. I'm not usually the type of person that gets lost, and have a good sense of direction, but just the fact that I was driving a car was very foreign to me, plus I wanted to make sure I didn't get a ticket for parking in a wrong spot which college towns are known for. For about 30 minutes I went up and down streets with groceries and a foot-long from Subway in my hand looking for this Subaru wagon. Which by the way, doesn't really stand out cause I'm sure half this town owns a Subaru. I let out a big sigh when I found it, thanking God, and trying not to do anything else stupid until the car was back safe and sound.When I pulled into the driveway I see Warren along with Stretch actually chopping wood. In July. It looked like tremendous fun so Stretch and I took turns flailing away with a heavy blunt instrument quartering birch for Warren and Toni to use in the winter, which is probably only a few weeks away. We have not used out upper body in so long it actually felt therapeutic. Within an hour all the wood was chopped, stacked and ready for the harsh September cold that is sure to come. Two other SOBOS Squeals, and Pants on Fire, joined us as well. 2 brothers that also started right when Katahdin was opened in late May. Warren's wife Toni showed up later with a bunch of groceries that included filet steaks as they were planning on cooking us a dinner unlike any seen since I left Georgia. On the outside porch overlooking the mountains, the 4 of us hikers were served, steak, corn, alfredo noodles, with Long Trail Ale. Of course for dessert we had strawberry rhubarb pie with coconut vanilla ice cream. What? Smiles along with melted ice cream were on all our bearded faces by the end. Warren then asked who was up for a single malt. Another silly question. The four of us headed back to the basement where our mattresses were and talked about what just happened. More SOBO/NOBO do's and dont's that seem to now happen when we connect continued as we tried to sleep. I knew I was going to sleep fantastic tonight and I did.Good bye Vermont! One of my favorites! SOTD, Life in a Northern Town, -Dream Academy