Date: 2019-09-17
From: The Lookout (VT)

To: Sherburne Pass Trail/Inn at Long Trail, Killington, VT
Miles today: 15.5

I slept pretty well last night. I think wearing earplugs helps me sleep. I did wake up at 4:45 thanks to my bladder though. I made breakfast and then went to the observation deck to watch the sunrise. The nobo came up just as the sun was coming over the horizon. Once the sky was nice and bright, I headed back down to pack. I was back on the trail by 7:20. I think I could have been earlier if I could have done so packing while waiting for water for my breakfast to boil. Also there was 20 minutes that I was just sitting on top of the Lookout waiting for the sun to come up.Once I said goodbye to the nobo it was a while until I saw anyone. I encountered active logging on the trail. There was only one machine which was fascinating to watch, while also being scary. After all, I didn¢t know how visible I was to the guy operating the machine and it was clear that it was harvesting trees on both sides of the trail. I¢m kinda surprised that there weren¢t any signs warning about this. As I was thinking about how to tell nobos about where to expect the logging, I realized that I had passed Chateauguay Road. We have completed 1200 miles! Spike and I stopped to take a 1200 mile selfie. This also means we have less than 1000 miles left. That¢s right, we¢re in the triple digits. The first person I saw today was relieving himself while standing on the trail. I came around a corner, and boom, there he was. Fortunately he had mostly finished up when I saw him. I would expect that it would happen more often. Anyway, he looked like he belonged on a motorcycle more than on the trail. I told him about the logging and he asked me about the possibility of getting a hitch on Chateauguay Road (not good), then we both went our respective ways.I stopped at the Stony Brook Shelter and left a note warning nobos about the logging. A little while later, I ran into a couple of nobos who had left the Yellow Deli after staying there a couple of days. I¢ve heard good things about the Yellow Deli, but Spike¢s Dad is coming on Saturday so I don¢t need to go to a hostel at this point. I continue hiking and see something blue off trail. I then realize it¢s a woman who has just finished relieving herself. Nothing for 122 days and now 2 on the same day? I slow my pace and try to make more noise. As I get close and say hello, she starts asking me about my hike. Suddenly another woman emerges from off trail. They both had stopped for a pee break. I go back to hiking and when I get to the road a woman asks me if I met her hiking partners and I confirm that I did. I then walk to a large waterfall. The trail to the waterfall is a boardwalk, and I read somewhere that it is the longest section of wheelchair accessible trail in Vermont. Then I walk along the lake which provides the water that is going over the falls. A man is fishing and I try to make some noise so he knows I¢m coming, but he¢s so focused on fishing that when I ask how the fish are biting, he about jumps out of his skin.My original goal for today was Gifford Woods State Park. They have discounted camping rates for thru-hikers as well as running water and showers! What they don¢t have is a restaurant, but if I hike another 2 miles, I can dine at an Irish pub and tent for free nearby. That becomes my new plan.I press on to the Inn at Long Trail. It used to be on the AT, but the trail was rerouted a few years back. Once I get to Sherburne Pass Trail, I have another .5 miles to hike that are not on the AT. Several people are hiking up as I am coming down. At the Inn I see a guy organizing food in the back of his truck. I ask him how long he¢s going out for and he responds by saying, ¢Spike¢s Mom!¢ It¢s the husband in the couple who is using 2 vehicles to go south by hiking north. I last saw them on Mt. Webster in the Whites. I catch up with him and then talk with a couple of Long Trail hikers who are waiting for a friend outside of the Inn. The Long Trail runs the length of Vermont from Massachusetts to Canada. For the southern 100 miles of its length, the LT and AT are together. I was only a mile from where they meet up when I detoured for food. I go inside the Inn and talk with the woman at the front desk. She confirms that I can tent across the street, so I go there, set up my tent and hang my food bag before crossing the road to check out the pub. I sit at the bar and order a Guinness and corned beef and cabbage. The couple using two vehicles comes in a little later and invite me to join their table. We trade hiking stories until the pub empties, about 8pm which is late for hikers. We say good night, and I cross the street to my tent.I am tenting in a grassy patch, and the grass is already wet with dew. I¢m going to have a soaked tent in the morning. Dinner was really good so I am considering going to breakfast in the morning and giving my tent some time to dry out.