Date: 2004-05-17
From: The Lookout Cabin

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: broken clouds

Log entry: 107Start time: 0800End time: 1845Morning weather: Clear and sunny, coolAfternoon weather: Sunny and warmEvening weather: Clear and mild with a slight breezeBreakfast: Fudge Rounds with vanilla CIBLunch: MRE peanuts and toaster pastryDinner: Ham and cheese sub with fries and a Sobe juice at Rick and Tina's Country store. At the shelter I had an apple, Powerade and a bag of Doritos.Trail description: A couple tough climbs in between VT12 and Thistle Hill Shelter but the 8.8 miles between Thistle Hill and Happy Hill were gravy. I really enjoyed them. Easy walking through large hardwoods and mature pines and also some higher altitude meadows with great views.People: Some dayhikers, 4 guys out doing a 3 day hike, Jim from town, and Sophia and Hannah at the shelter at night.Animals: Lots of barking dogs in West Hartford.Money spent: $14 for dinner and snackies.Biggest complaints: It would not be fair to complain about a day like today.Thoughts: I missed a great sunrise I imagine but sleep is important I guess.The first half mile or so down from the Lookout is an ATV trail and erosion andfour-wheelers have left lots of ankle twisters but I found a route free ofinjury.I basically shifted into neutral and coasted most of the way down to VT12.Before I got there I met 2 ladies in their 50s out for a morning walk. We shared the usual chat and one of the ladies couldn't get over the "sparkle in my eyes". Funny she mentioned that because my mom said early on (February) that after looking at some of my self portraits that the "twinkle was gone". Well Mom, it's apparently back.I then met the 4 dudes out for the weekend, they were cool enough. They were atthe parking lot on VT12.I then made my way up and over a series of ridges. Nasty steep but not all thatterribly long.I made it to Thistle Hill shelter at 1315 and spent 15 minutes without my bootson eating a quick lunch but the mosquitos were too thick to hangout. So on Ipressed into West Hartford. The 4.7 miles there was delightful. Thick, lush,healthy maple trees and a wide smooth pathway with gentle climbs and gradualdownhills.Some of the trees had plastic tubing strung along them. I assume that was forsyrup gathering? None of the trees were tapped though. Too soon in the season I imagine.Once in the village I first stopped and ate at the Country Store and then let myfood settle at the library where I spent more time entertaining the librariansthan surfing the web.By 1630 I was headed out of town when man stuck his head out of his front doorand yelled, "Coming from Georgia?" I replied with the most obvious answer andgreeted him on his porch. Jim Woods, he lives in the big white house just pastthe old church if you are headed AT north. Mr. Woods and I talk for an hour, he gave me an apple and a banana as well asall the water I could drink. We had great conversation. He is a Vietnam vet, so I thanked him for his service to his Country. He also let me use the phone for which I sent journals home. Great guy. I didn't get to meet his wife but I am sure she is fabulous as well.I really took my time on the next 4 miles up to the shelter. Or so I thought, Istill averaged 3 mph and made it there in an hour and 15 minutes. The firstthing I noticed after the blue-blazed side trail was the sweet smell ofwoodsmoke. Yahtzee, not alone tonight!Sitting at the fire were 2 young 20 somethings, Sophia and Hannah. They aredoing a week or so trek NOBO on the AT. "Until we run out of food". Conversation was fun and easy and it was nice that I could enjoy my Powerade, Doritos, and apple around a fire.As I sat around the fire I read a notebook left behind by "Cesar and Maud" whichdetails their SOBO hike which lasted 13 months. It is a great compilation ofnotes and sketches. I sent them an email requesting a copy, just hours ofreading.Now I am writting, trying to swat skeeters. Tomorrow should be a "nero", almosta zero, in Hanover. Should bea great day!