Date: 2008-08-11
From: U.S. 4, Killington, VT MrsGorp's Excellent H.H.

To: Gifford Woods State Park, MrsGorp's Excellent H.H.
Miles today: 3.2

Today started out with another 12 cup pot of Stumpknocker's Blend coffee! (Thanks Nancy and Bob) I had a bowl of cereal and went back up to the third floor and started going through all my stuff. I have some cool weather gear here and may need that in another week or so. I also got out my maps for the sections coming up. It was basically a morning of going through gear, seam sealing my tent, and paying bills. Mrs Gorp is the caretaker at Minerva Hinchey Shelter and the porcupines have destroyed the wood table that is there, so we got the materials and built a new table today to replace the old one. We had to dodge rain when we did anything outside. It rained all day again. I got the table done and ready to go, but decided to get in a few miles of walking late this afternoon and install the table in the morning before I leave Mrs Gorp's Excellent Hiker Hostel...and I'll be carrying my backpack this time. :-( I've really enjoyed it here. I have the third floor all to myself and I spend a lot of time up here answering email and catching up on my journal that I got behind on when I shuttled my ol' buddy Chief and Xmas around. Speaking of my ol' buddy Chief, I got a call from him just before I walked into the woods today. I asked if he'd started walking yet. (Like I didn't already know the answer to that!!) :-)) He said that he and Xmas were going to start walking in the morning. That sounded about right. I knew they'd take two zeros before they started walking. I asked if the were in North Adams, MA tonight, so they could get an early start on the Long Trail tomorrow morning. Chief said; ¢North Adams? No, we are in Waynesboro, VA and going to walk south from there in the morning." That's a long trail, but it's NOT The Long Trail. ;-) I was actually kind of glad to hear they went south. They are out to have fun and they should do well where they're at. After all, they're only a couple days from the Dutch Haus B&B and I know they will be there for a few days to recoup from that long walk from Waynesboro. :-) I hung up and walked into the woods. It was raining hard when I started walking north on the Appalachian Trail at US 4. It had been raining hard most of the day, so the Trail that has been wet for weeks, was getting even wetter. :-) It was a nice, cool 60 degrees out. There were times in the woods when it got so dark that I almost needed a headlamp. I walked slowly...I knew I was only walking 3 miles, but it was a good 3 miles and I really enjoyed it. Dark, wet TrailI got to Maine Junction. That's where the Long Trail and the Appalachian Trails split and go their own way. I kept walking and climbing. There were lots of nettles around. I think this area has the largest nettle field on the whole Trail. I was pushing them aside with my hiking poles and trying to step on firm ground or rocks when I could. I know my shoes are a mess, but I still try to avoid stepping right in the deep mud. Willard Gap signs says I have 469 miles give or take to Katahdin ;-)I got to Sherburne Pass Trail and started descending to Gifford State Park. It was only 3 miles, but it still took 1 1/2 hours because of the slippery trail. I was hoping to run into Queen Diva, Hopeful, Circuit Rider and Sherlock there, but no one was there yet. Maybe tomorrow. :-) I needed to resupply yet and eat. We stopped at the Inn at Long Trail and had a beer and a Reuben, then on to the grocery store and I bought enough food for a few days. I've got my emails answered, I'm caught up on my journal, I've had a GREAT time here at Mrs Gorp's home, and after I get that table installed at Minerva Hinchey Shelter tomorrow morning, I'll start walking north with my backpack following close behind me. :-) Another great day on the Appalachian Trail. :-)