Date: 2015-07-16
From: Bennington, VT

To: Story Spring Shelter, VT
Miles today: 19.0

*As I begin moving into higher elevation, signal will become spottier, possibly causing a delay in posting my updates. I'll continue to journal each night and update when I can. Thanks.Yoohoo and I woke to knocking at our motel room. Crap, we slept in. Well, not really crap because we had no intention of setting an alarm. It was 7:30am and Rabbit greeted us at our door saying he had scored us a ride and we'd be leaving soon. After ~20 minutes of packing up and getting ready, we met Steve from the day before who treated us to trail magic and a ride into town. He had returned to give us a ride not only back to the trail, but to McDonald's as well. After 2 egg, sausage, and cheese McMuffins, a hashbrown, and a Coke, I was more than ready to begin hiking again to burn some calories.We hit the trail at 8:45am, still cool from the night before where temperatures dropped into the mid-40's. Yoohoo, Huey, Rabbit, and I immediately began the 10-mile climb, warming us up in the process. It wouldn't take long to see that today was going to contend for one of the nicest days of the journey so far. With temperatures only expected to reach the mid-70's and cloudless, blue skies overheard, we were excited to know a 360-degree view awaited us at the end of the climb. Of the 10 miles of climbing, only the first 2 would be noticeable as the remaining 8 would be more gradual. After reaching Little Pond Mountain the trees would shift into a mixture of spruce and fur forests, and with it bring the smell of Christmas that hasn't been enjoyed in some time.When we reached Goddard Shelter and breaked for a quick refill of water, we knew that we were within half a mile of the summit. I took the lead and soon found myself at the foot of a tall, metal fire tower constructed in 1927 atop the summit of Glastenbury Mountain. I began climbing the metal stairs as my anticipation for the view at the top grew. Entering the 4-sided, windowless room on top, I spun around and was not disappointed. The view quickly took the lead as the finest of the hike so far, something I hope is challenged as I continue through New England. Crystal clear views were to be had in every direction. Cloudless blue skies, the tops of green spruce trees extending in every direction, and the summits of many large mountains - especially in the direction I will be heading. Yoohoo, Huey, and Rabbit joined me minutes later and we took pictures and gawked at the expanse of terrain around is - where we've come from and where we still have left to go. A steady, cool wind blew through the windowless box we stood in, unobstructed by trees, and we soon made our way back down to the ground below.What began as a simple lunch in the warmth of the sun-drenched summit beneath the tower ultimately turned into a 2-hour break. During this time we ate, listened to music, drifted in and out of wakefulness, and enjoyed the company of several blue and red butterflies as they danced around us. Yoohoo, Huey, and I laid sprawled across the pine-covered ground; Rabbit passed out ~20ft above on the second story story of the tower. I can honestly say it was the first time I've forgotten about hiking, a destination, and the time of day as I lied in the sun without a care in the world. The other guys would do the same and, for at least 2 hours, it was a perfect day.My revelrie would be interrupted when I decided a deuce was in order. I retreated into the nearby woods, just out of eyesight of the guys, and commenced with the log-sitting technique. As I was wrapping up, I noticed an orange figure that was meant to be found, but ultimately hidden out of eyesight from the nearby trail. As I approached I noticed that it was a bucket with a label stating that it was an official geocache. Always a big fan of geocaching, though not having done so in several years, I was happy to stumble across one without even searching for it - especially one hidden atop a mountain that takes miles of hiking to reach. I took a picture, signed the log inside, and returned it to it's hiding place so that the next geocacher or hiker with a little dumb luck can find it as well.We soon returned to the trail, needing only ~9 miles to reach our intended destination for the day. The terrain was relatively easy going with gentle climbs and little to no navigation of mud pits needed. We all spread out and hiked in relative silence as we listened to our own unique music playlists until we reached Kid Gore Shelter. Once there, we took a quick break inside the shelter overlooking several distant, wood-covered ridges with the slightest hint of a lake hidden below. I zoned out as I watched a SoBo-going German Shepard named Athena rotating between sleep and chomping at flies that approached too closely. During the final ~4.5 miles to Spring Shelter, I'd come across a chocolate lab named Ramsey. Completely oblivious of my presence, I stood next to him as he blocked the trail as he ate something just off to the side. His owner eventually noticed me standing, apologized (to which I didn't mind a bit,) before asking me what he was eating on. I quickly glanced and told her it was either dropped chocolate or some kinda poop. I squeezed around him as he finished up his meal and was off.We arrived at the shelter by 6:30pm, looking like a small Hooverville with tents occupying all the flat ground around the shelter. Several thru-hikers, LT hikers, and a boy scouts group chose to call this place home for the night. After a bit of searching for flat ground, I managed to find a small clearing between a downed log and thin wood line - not perfect, but it'll do. In fact, the slanted ground dotted with rocks will be the least of my worries. It's currently nearing 8:30pm and the temperature has been steadily dropping as the sun slowly sets. Temperatures in Bennington tonight are supposed to be ~45F so it's safe to say ~40F or even a little lower is possible. I currently have on 4 pairs of socks, a shirt, shorts, and rain pants. My rain jacket, down jacket, gloves, and balaclava wait in reserve. That, along with my sleeping bag liner, is all I have to combat the cold. Here's to the test most surely coming.Here's to the first awesome view of New England, forgetting everything for a couple hours, and the many 4-legged friends who trek silently along the trail with no goal other than to remain loyal to their owner.