Date: 2016-08-20
From: VT, Vt 9, 1610.6

To: VT, Kelly Stand Rd, 1633.2
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: overcast clouds

We started the day at a fantastic diner in Bennington Vermont called "Sonnys Blue Benn Diner", which was supposedly one of the top 21 diners in the US according to a newspaper article proudly displayed in the former passenger train car converted into dining room. They even had real Vermont maple syrup to make it just a little more special. Thankfully we beat the crowds and didn't have to wait to be served. In the parking lot of Sherpa's dropoff location along VT 9, we met two day hikers who shared with us that today is "Appalachian Trail Day"! Apparently Backpacker Magazine sponsors the holiday and tries to get people to signup to hike every section of the trail. They had signed up to do a few miles South of VT 9 in the direction of Massachussetees, and were planning to drive one of their cars up what would have been an impassible road, but after showing them pictures of the road condition that Sherpa had taken from the trail yesterday, they altered their plans slightly.After a kiss goodbye, we went our separate ways for the day. Today the trail went 22 miles without a road crossing. So nice to be remote, but so hard to say goodbye. Thankfully, we won't have to much longer. We are hoping to ditch our car towards the end of next week and start living out of our packs together again! In preparation, Porter went to scout out some supplies from local outfitters as Sherpa continued to move us North. For the most part, the Green Mountains of Vermont are gentle lumbering giants with gradual ascents and descents largely free of switchbacks. For example, the first half of the day was a mostly uphill section spread out over 10 miles that started below 1500ft elevation and finished above 3700ft on Gastenbury Mt. The subsequent 12 miles were a mostly gentle descent back to about 2000 ft. Armed with his super awesome fanny pack, Sherpa was up for the challenge. The trail was muddy, the weather humid but bearable, and the air heavy with odors, most of which were pleasant.On one occasion early on, a rock that Sherpa placed his foot on sank into the mud, along with his whole shoe, under his full body weight. He was reminded that Christ is not like that stone that gave way. He is a solid rock that you can place everything on and you will never sink into the mud! Apparently this is a common problem on this part of the trail- Texas Hippy shared that he did it twice today! Btw, By the end of Sherpa's hike, both feet matched!Cruzer and Texas Hippy were hiking together today. We stopped and chatted at the base of the fire tower atop Gastenbury mountain. Cruzer is the hiker that we met back in hot springs with "old timer" and "dozer". Dozer was injured back then but finished Shenandoah before giving up. Old Timer is still plugging along, about 100 miles ahead. And Cruzer, the third musketeer, has to go back to work next week. Game over. So much can happen in 6 months, injuries, money, family, etc.   But hey, if it were easy to do, it probably wouldn't be worth attempting. At the end of the day, our fears were realized. We had made a wrong turn and found ourselves in Canada somehow. You see, there was a sign for Stratton Mt. that welcomed snow shoers! After careful review of our GPS, we determined that we were still in the US. Guess that's a hobby here too? Happy Appalachian Trail Day! Hope you had time to take a hike (or maybe go snow shoeing).