Date: 2014-09-06
From: Upper Cold River Rd

To: US 4 SOBO
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

September 6--Upper Cold River Rd to US 4--12 miles Rain and lightning predicted for today--80% chance. The way we saw it, we had a 20% chance of no rain. And so we set out this morning with considerably lighter packs with the help of trail angel Tom Plans Too Much. Today, the plan was to slackpack from the road closest to the shelter we had intended on staying at tonight, hike up and over Killington, then down to Rt 4 where we would catch a bus or hitchhike back to the magnificent Yellow Deli hostel for another night of warm hospitality from the 12 Tribes. Tom picked us up right on schedule at 6:30 this morning and dropped is off at the trailhead by 7. The dark clouds hovered over us as we began our climb. The morning was still and humid, and we began to sweat in no time. We reached the Governor Clement shelter after about 20 minutes of climbing. The area was full of wild flowers and the water source was excellent. However, the dirt floor could get awfully muddy with the predicted rains and lots of hikers. I was so grateful that we were planning on staying at the hostel tonight instead of that dank and dirty shelter. We continued our climb up for 5 or 6 miles and the trees began to change. The path smelled like Christmas trees, and mist swirled through the magical forest. Sure, it felt like rain was imminent, but I didn't care. The beauty of the forest in the mist was astounding. I reached Cooper Lodge which was an old stone structure with wooden bunks and a table inside. The heavy wooden door was latched which was funny because the opening for windows had nothing on them. As I opened the door, a chipmunk skittered from the table and out the window. I guess that the empty shelter is his home when the hikers aren't there. I opened my pack and took out a hard boiled egg, thanks to my friend Llyn. I was famished and that egg tasted so good!After my snack, I packed up and took off, feeling like I was beating the odds against the weather. Then, one drop, two drops, a rumble of thunder. Here it comes, I thought. I pulled out my pack cover and secured my pack. But the rain never came. As we neared the end of today's hike, we encountered a mass of fallen maple trees. Huge mounds of earth and rocks were torn up within the roots of the trees. The fallen giants lay across the trail in heaps of defeat. It was an amazing sight. We had to crawl through the branches or over them as we attempted to negotiate the trail. Needless to say, we missed the 1:20 bus to Rutland. When we emerged from the woods at 1:45, we decided that we would get to the hostel quicker if we hitchhiked. Out went my thumb and within minutes we were picked up by a very nice young woman who was headed home from a sheep farm where she had been working. Back at the hostel, we were invited to the Sabbath celebration and dinner by the 12 Tribes, a very welcoming group of people who are committed to their community, improving themselves through hard work and to God. I was curious about this group as I had encountered them while I was a principal at the elementary school in Groveton, NH. They have a sect in Lancaster, NH, a nearby town. The celebration was full of song and dance and personal reflections on their faith. Small children sang and danced in the circle with the adults while someone played a fiddle and another played the flute. A very young boy kept time respectfully on a bongo. It was truly a joyful experience. I joined a table with five children and three adults. The children were very talkative and eager to engage with me. I soon discovered that the little one sitting next to me who I thought was a girl was actually a boy--Paotee. He had to break his name up for me to be able to say it properly. Then he asked me to guess how old he was. Now, I've worked in education for 40 years and feel like I'm pretty good at telling how old kids are. 8? He replied, "Go west by 2." At first I was confused. Then I realized he was referring to a number line. 6? Yes! Amazing! His brother commented on my clothing and I explained that it was borrowed. I told him that we hike in synthetic clothing because it dries faster. His reply--and he couldn't have been more than ten years old-- was that "synthetics retain odors." I laughed and said, "And that's why all the hikers stink when they come off the trail!" I was quite impressed with the children and their understandings. I am back in my room, reflecting on the wonderful day. We escaped the storms that never came and I met some very special people. Life is good.