Date: 2015-08-07
From: Stealth Camping 

To: Main Street, Norwich, Vermont 
Miles today: 16.8

What a day through so much different terrain and final sites in Vermont. I was so thirsty this morning starting out with only 2 sips of water left. I munched on some homemade organic granola with cashews and coconut from Edge of the Farm. Fortunately it was only a couple of miles to a water source up and I cameled up. Another mile or so another water source and an official breakfast break with dried apricots and medjool dates and more granola. Shortly after this relaxing but buggy spot came one of the most spectacular sections of the trail for me. The pine trees seemed to reach up forever into the sky as the sun shined through the tree tops down into the piney forest floor in magnificent columns that looked perfectly placed. It seemed to go on forever, and I felt like I was on a magic carpet ride to someplace unknown. The day quickly morphed into another up and down day with bothersome feet and knees but will still be one of my favorite for these few special moments. The trail soon took us through the town of West Hartford, Vermont and we walked a couple miles past residential streets and houses. First there was a stop at a viewpoint on a mountain ridge that actually had a carved bench that someone had engraved "VT Enjoy and Relax." This was priceless and if course I had to follow the instructions. While enjoying and relaxing and soaking in the view of the town below I noticed I was surrounded by granny smith apple trees and ripe blackberries. What a delicious treat and more great moments. West Hartford was a friendly town but was sad in the fact that many businesses including the town general store were closed down and never reopened from a hurricanes in 2011. We were told by a SOBO to be on the lookout for a house right at the Connecticut river with a big AT logo near the roof because they will cook pancakes for hikers until 2:00 everyday. Again I am so amazed and blown away by the generosity and hospitality of others along the trail. This is the most magical part of my journey for me and has already transformed my perceptions of community and kindness. I did not need a pancake break but was so happy to be able to guide another hiker in the right direction when he had passed by it and asked if I knew where it was. After passing the pancake house and walking along the river a woman in a red truck stopped and told us she had cake and sodas for us at the house. I politely declined and thanked her. People like this make me forget about my sore feet and help inspire me to push on. A few more big climbs were in store for the afternoon and a couple times I felt that I was going to fall backwards. The trail was brilliantly gorgeous today for a lack of better words and I felt a little sad leaVing Vermont. It is hard to even remember all my complaints about the mud at the southern end of the state.We finally made it to Elm Street which took us out of the forest and onto Main Street for a mile in the town if Norwich, Vermont whereally we had reservations at a Bed & Breakfast. AWOL'S guide says the historic Norwich Inn is rumored to be the Inn that gave inspiration to the TV Show Bob Newhart. It is at the site if an inn from 1796 and features an upscale tavern and restaurant with amother creative menu. It is a bit pricey and the hiker rate was not available but a nice comfy stop. I am so tired I could barely drag myself to dinner and to wash my clothes in the bathtub. My feet are throbbing and hurt just touching the floor. The last mile on the paved road hurt the most. Fortunately my feet recover quite well over night.Tomorrow I will be in New Hampshire. Really looking forward to new adventures in this state.