Date: 2017-07-07
From: IP Road stealth site, VT

To: Green Mountain Hostel, Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 16.1

7/7/17, Green Mountain Hostel, Manchester Center, VTMiles hiked: 1332.7, Miles to go: 847.1There wasn't much not to like about today's hike. I was up and on the trail by 6:15 AM. The skies were overcast; but, the forecasted rains had held off. In fact, the sun ended up breaking out by the afternoon. I started the morning with a 1500 ft climb over 2.3 miles to the top of 3936 ft Stratton Mt. Then it was a 13.8 mile downhill coast into Manchester Center. The climb to the top of the mountain turned out to be fairly easy. There was a fire tower at the summit; however, the summit was in the clouds. So I didn't bother climbing the tower since there was no view to be had. On the descent, I passed the young Scotsman, Juggernaut, as he was packing up his stealth camp. As is always the case with the young guys, he blew past me on a matter minutes. It's always a little disheartening when you think you are just flying down the trail and these young guys pass you like you're standing still. It wasn't too long until I came upon Juggernaut standing on the trail, drinking a soda, talking to a man and a woman. As I approached, the woman said, "Beaker! We were wondering when you'd get here!"  It turns out that Mudpuppy (the wife) and Woodcutter (the husband) are 1999 thru hikers who have been following me on TrailJournals. They had driven two and a half hours from Albany just to meet up with me on the trail. Incredible! They plied me with vast quantities of food and drink - all of which I gladly devoured while we discussed the history of kilts with Juggernaut. During our discussion, I also learned that Mudpuppy and Woodcutter had driven over to see 1st Sgt a few days ago also. After a short visit, I headed out again because I needed to get to Manchester Center in time to eat town food and resupply at the grocery store before calling for Jeff from Green Mountain Hostel to pick me up in town before 7 pm. The problem was that the trail didn't go through town, so I would have to thumb a ride into town, which, unless you happen to be hiking with a young woman, can take awhile. I continued roaring down the trail all hopped in on sugar, making great time until just before reaching the road, when the trail decided to climb a bit. Not a big problem, just irritating when you want to get to town. Eventually, I reached the road. My plan was to try hitchhiking while wearing the kilt rather than changing into my town pants since the last time 1st Sgt and I tried to hitch and I was wearing my pants, no one picked us up. I figured that maybe someone would want to pick up an "interesting character" to hear cool trail stories. When I got to the road, I found that all my planning was unnecessary because there were Mudpuppy and Woodcutter waiting to give me a ride to town! Wow! These guys were really something. They drove me to town and gave me the quick scenic tour before dropping me off at the outfitter's store and heading back to Albany. Now, that's what I consider trail magic - they mad my day so much easier. I was able to accomplish my mission of eating lots of town food and resupplying before Jeff picked me and Blue Steel up to go to the hostel. The Green Mountain Hostel rates up there as one of the best I've stayed in on the whole trail. It is immaculate and Jeff is very friendly and accommodating. Plus, he sells pints of Ben & Jerry's ice cream for $2.00. Incredible! I am here with six other hikers - some AT hikers and some Long Trail hikers. I am clean and dry, my clothes are clean and dry, and I am well fed. I'm ready to head out in the morning to continue chasing after the siren song of Mt Katahdin. Of course, it's supposed to rain tomorrow. Bummer.