Date: 2009-08-08
From: Big Branch Shelter

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: clear sky

August 8 --I had to make the Danby, VT Post Office by their closing time, 10:30, ~1m down the trail to the road and ~3.5m, ~900' down the road, so I left early, no breakfast, on the trail at 7:12, 45.5 degrees in the tent! As I guessed, I had to walk the entire way with little traffic, one p/u truck going the other way, and I arrived at the PO at 8:40. On the way out of town I stopped at Alice's Someday Cafe, where Greta took my order and provide great company, she served tables on the front porch and I at the counter had the inside, and her, to myself, while George, the owner, cooked some great food, esp the home made corn beef hash. Over an hour later I figured I had a chance of a ride back up the mtn with a day hiker, but shortly after crossing US7, a car stopped and offered, a Green Mountain Club worker took me right to the trail. Saturday meant a lot of locals and I stopped to chat with most. A guy and girl, 50s, walked past me as I started, brief hello, and it wasn't long before I passed them, Boris and Natasha, my names for them. Then I came upon a mixed age group taking a break, 20 questions types, but very friendly, the oldest gentleman, from ME, in his 70s, had done Katahdin 3 times, once with snow knee deep. I listened, fascinated, his heavy bagging eyelids trying to hide his beautiful light blue eyes, and I imagined his treks were before written rules were established or his ME spirit compelled his climb. I left them and meanwhile Boris and Natasha had passed by who I later found standing in the middle of the trail talking, as if waiting for me. "How far is it to the loop trail?", he asked before I got to them, "I'm sorry, I don't know, I'm not from around here", I said, "Neither are we", he shot back, "What trail is this?" "This is the AT/LT", I replied, "I'm following the AT". "But which trail is this?" "Both", I said and offered them a look at my map, hoping for the best as another group passed us by. Boris' slick hair gleamed in the bright sunlight as he tilted his head slightly and said, "My friend built a house around here and we're 'spose to meet him". "Quick exit", I thought and pointed to the map, "Take the trail to the left about 10 minutes from here", I said folding the map as I stepped away. Scary, I thought, what does he do in real life? Little Rock Pond was a picture perfect scene with newts swimming at the shore, kayakers, and a diving loon. Further along I came upon the White Rock Cliff Overlook and Airport Overlook, spectacular views overlooking the US7 valley of Danby, Wallingford and Rutland. As the beautiful day went on I crossed the suspension bridge at Clarendon Gorge and went down to VT103 where Pellet spotted me before crossing, he brought me over to a trail magic p/u truck and a group of 5 thru-hikers, none I'd known, and a guy passing out pina coltas and beer, etc, no thanks. I headed up the step climb on the far side of VT103 where I watched a beautiful sunset before walking the 3/4m to the Clarendon Shelter where I tented in the nice grass front. It was a big crowd, Hobbit, Knickers and Journey were part of it.