Date: 2018-06-30
From: Seth Warner shelter

To: Route 9 Bennington VT mile 1610.6
Miles today: 11.5

After I went to bed last night Moose and Sweet Tea, Showtime and Sour Patch and 2 other hikers arrived at camp and set up. I was up at 6am and on the way back from the privy later when I saw Showtime and Sour Patch by the shelter. It was probably around 7:30 and Sour Patch was limping around a bit with her camp sandals on. She explained that she'd twisted her ankle yesterday and Showtime had taped it up. It was feeling "better" but she didn't look convincing to me. A bit bleary-eyed from interrupted sleep and a tough day yesterday we all left camp a little after 8am and headed 3/10ths of a mile to County Rd. The plan was to meet Pak Wan there at 8:30 to slack pack us. She and her niece Lauren were very excited to help us out today and take a little hike of their own. We were alI looking forward to it too. Today is Alligator's 9th day on trail and it's been almost 2 weeks since River and I had a day off. I had no service in camp last night but out at the road my text messages came through just as Pek Wan was calling River. She'd been in town an hour trying to get to the meeting point but a section of the dirt road isn't passable without a truck. We can see the road near us is improved recently and that a tractor trailer has brought in heavy equipment for the power lines and it's sitting there. There's also a Toyota Highlander parked at the trail. But without street maps we can't help her find a way in from the other side so we breathe a sigh of disappointment and hike on with our packs after discussing dinner plans at the end of our day at Route 9, 5 miles east of Bennington. As I'm hiking it seems like a long day that just drags on with lots of mud as well as ups and downs. The mud is boot sucking deep mud puddles that I'm not walking thru but around. It's taking extra time and patience and it's everywhere not just a few spots. It's extremely humid and the sweat is pouring off my head. I can feel it dripping down my scalp. At one point Moose passed me and let me know that River was behind because she was on the phone with Pek Wan confirming where we're going to end our hike today at Route 9. I stopped at a brook and doused myself and my shirt to cool down. At lunchtime, I thought it was strange I didn't see Alligator and Eddyman. I generally catch up to them and we lunch together. At the shelter 7 miles in I did run across Moose and Sweet Tea sleeping on the bunks, each face down. A noontime nap. The heat really does zap the energy right out of you. I assumed that Alligator and Eddyman didn't want to disturb them and moved on to look for a spot ahead and so I proceeded on, not wanting to disturb them either. I didn't see anyone and it was a long time before I found a suitable lunch spot with a dry place to sit and without a swarm of bugs and deer flies. At the base of Harmon Hill I found a nice Camp spot where I spread out my tyvek and enjoyed a lunch of tuna salad, pepperoni, Fritos and propel. I had to laugh at the little mint that came in the tuna salad kit. My breath was the least of my "stink" concerns. While relaxing I received a text message from Alligator that she had gone off trail by accident and they were now behind me instead of in front. Before I finished up my lunch they arrived at the campsite. River was about a mile back. I also got a text from Pek Wan saying that she'd just gotten back from dropping Jessica and Frank in town. I didn't know what that meant but assumed she'd given some hikers a ride. Alligator and Eddyman left ahead of me to conquer the last of today's climbs. I began the ascent unhappy to see the steep rocky trail but knowing I have to power through it. In preparation I'd chewed one of the blocks that Danny gave me last weekend for endurance. When I reached the top of Harmon Hill I saw a moose running toward me southbound, and he explained that he had left his cellphone back at the shelter while he napped, that it had fallen out of his pocket in the bunk. I called River and she was one and a half miles north of the shelter but she agreed to drop her pack and run back for his phone and save him the extra mileage. Moose had already run up the other side of Harmon Hill because he and sweet tea we're almost in Bennington when he realized it. That was really super kind of river to help out. It added 3.2 miles to her day. I hiked ahead leaving Alligator, Eddyman and Moose at the top of the hill. Pek Wan had texted me and let me know she had cold beer and soda in the parking lot at Route 9. I certainly didn't want that to get warm! I grabbed Sweat Tea along the way and let River know so she could tell Moose, who's pack we left on the side of the trail for him. Moose carried his pack and River's to repay her for running back for his phone!When we got down to the parking lot after a steep stone stair descent that crushes knees the story of today started to fill in. Sometimes we make plans and then God laughs and shows you the real plan. Back at County Rd at 8:30 this morning River stayed behind to use the ladies room (AKA the nearest tree) when the rest of us left. She spoke with Pek Wan again to confirm where we would finish hiking today. When River started hiking she forgot her trekking poles at the road. She hiked back to get them and saw Showtime and Sour Patch there. Sour Patch was unable to hike because of her ankle. She couldn't handle the weight of her pack on it. Pek Wan with the aid of River was able to connect with Showtime who's name I now know is Frank. Frank was able to pull up maps and Pek Wan drove to neighboring Stamford and under direction of Frank after a few attempts was able to navigate back roads and make it to the exact spot where we would have met this morning for a slack pack where she picked up Frank and Jessica (Sour Patch) and bring them to town. A trail angel!Sweet Tea and I enjoyed a visit with Pek Wan and Lauren as well as chocolate, chips, beer and soda. Maple Tree, Alligator, Eddyman, Moose, River and another couple from the shelter last night stopped by and enjoyed the break also. Pek Wan ran Sweet Tea into town to the grocery store and McDonald's while I bathed in the river and got ready for dinner. Lauren and I then took the leftover snacks across the street to a hiker box in the woods. Lauren was impressed with the care and friendship we hikers have developed and aspires to hike the Appalachian Trail some day too. We met Eddyman and Alligator at Madison Brew Co for dinner. Tonight is the last night we'll see them. They're hiking on and River and I are taking a few days off trail. I want to be home for my anniversary and Brian's birthday. So River is coming with me to NH so we can get her to the airport to go home for a few days too. We'll be back on the 6th. I hope we get to see Eddyman and Alligator in the future even if not on the trail. Very special people and I have enjoyed every minute of our time together. We hugged goodbye and Pek Wan drove them to their hotel while River and I got ice cream. Pek Wan then drove us to Keene NH ( where I was born!) And Brian met us at the square. It was an interesting day and although it didn't turn out as we planned it did turn out exactly as it was supposed to be. Once again I'm reminded of the love of both family and friends and the devotion to each other. It's special out here. I already can't wait to get back, but I'm looking forward to seeing my wonderful husband and a few days of rest.