Date: 2003-08-29
From: Clarendon, VT - Hanover, NH

To: Clarendon, VT - Hanover, NH
Miles today: 49.6
Weather: few clouds

Clarendon, VT - Hanover, NH49.6 miles (1730.7 total miles)We were out of the motel room, fed with breakfast, and on the trail at 9:15 on day 146. Less than a mile on the trail, we passed the 500 mile (left to go) mark. We hiked up for a very long time, but it was nice without our packs, thanks to our personal trail angels, Henry and Linda (Slack Master H and White Shoes).We hiked up, past a shelter that looked trashed by some partiers. I understood why most shelters are not near roads. We continued way up on the longest ascent we've had in a while. Finally we reached a .2 mile side trail to the top of Killington. It was beautiful! It was cold and windy, but the views were spectacular. We could see 5 states and 2 countries from the top.We eventually headed way back down to Sherburn Pass. We had dinner at the deli, and watched as Henry and Linda drove away. It was actually cold out. We did another 1.4 miles up to the closest shelter for the night.It was a very cold morning on day 147. We got on the trail again at 8:00 at Maine Junction. This is where the Long Trail continues north, and the Appalchian Trail heads east toward New Hampshire. There was a sign giving the mileage to Katahdin. I was hit with the sudden realization that my adventure would be ending soon. It was a sad morning.We did just 2.2 miles to a state park with a soda machine. We hiked on. The sun never broke through the clouds, and the day dragged. The day was full of steep trail, with no views or payoffs. We found a place to camp by a brook at 13.7 miles on the day. The brook was actually 300 feet lower than our starting shelter, but it seemed like we had been climbing up all day. There are slow, unexplainable days like that on the trail. I don't know why.I was awakened on day 148 by a thud on my tent. What was that? I heard another one on the ground nearby. I listened, and heard more. Then I heard twigs and trees rustling, and feet scurrying around. There was a circus of squirrels above my tent. I laid there for a while, listening to them run around, moving their food, and dropping stuff on my tent.I finally got up and left before 8:00. It was just 2.5 miles to a beautiful lookout. There was fog in the valleys below. I could see the white mountains in the distance. We hurried on, 3 miles to a shelter, then 4 more to a road crossing. We were beat. It would be a short day, but a day full of trail magic.Just down the road was a barn where the owner lets hikers sleep for free. He even had a outdoor hot shower. We rested for the afternoon, and met the very nice owner, Dan. We decided we needed real food. We stood by the road for about 15 minutes before we got a hitch from a lady named Christine whose son just had a film debut. We ate at a pizza restaurant, and it started raining. When it stopped, we headed out and tried to hitch back, but the road was quiet. It started pouring. How would we ever get a hitch soaking wet on this lonely road? Within a few minutes, a car pulled over. It was Christine! She felt so bad that we would be out in the rain that she left her house to come find us. She invited us back to her house for the night, but we were already set up in the barn. But I was touched by the night full of kindness we experienced.   I was up and out by 7:00 on day 149. The trail immediately went up a hill with mud and wet grass. After just 5 minutes, my feet would be soaked for the rest of the day. The morning was full of PUDs as bad as we've seen anywhere on the trail. There were few switchbacks. I felt my muscles burning. It was a slow but steady hike up and down.We finally hit West Hartford at about 3:00, where there was a country store. I filled up with food, then headed up. The last 4 miles, although steep, went quickly on a full stomach. We ended at Happy Hill Shelter. The mosquitoes were horrible, and the water source was dry. I tented out.We were gone by 7:00 on day 150. The mosquitoes and the pull of town had us rushing. It was 3.5 miles to the town of Norwich, then another 2.3 miles of road walk into Hanover. We crossed the Connecticut River into New Hampshire. 12 states down, 2 to go! Hanover is a college town, and very expensive. There were people bustling everywhere, and the whole town smelled like good food!We ran into Charity who had some friends (past thru-hikers) looking to help out some hikers. We drove to their house, did laundry, showered and ate. It was a nice evening with Willow, Last Minute, Charity, Hopeful, and Double Dare. We barbequed, played petanque, and went for ice cream. I was very grateful to Rick and Jeannie for putting us up for the night. With only one new state to go, I am thinking about the end. I have my winter gear coming in 50 miles, then I am into the White Mountains. I have no idea what to expect there, but I hope to get good weather. I have been so looking forward to this section, I only wish I wasn't so exhaustd to enjoy it more. 441.9 miles to Katahdin!