Date: 2018-07-21
From: VT Route 12 (mile 1725.6)

To: Three Mile Road (mile 1757.1)
Miles today: 31.5
Weather: scattered clouds

A while ago someone mentioned that I should change my name to Django when I start off alone since I'll be unchained in the amount of miles I can do now, which I thought was funny. Andrew and I certainly acted unchained as we went 31.5 miles today to finish out Vermont and start into New Hampshire. I started off the morning with a quick outdoor shower at the barn to wake me up. We immediately had a steep climb to grassy fields, which continued throughout the day (and Andrew loved taking photos of). We passed Pomfret Road early in the morning, where we took a small detour to the porch of some past thruhikers. Even though it was early they came out to talk with us while we enjoyed some amazing whoopie pie and ice cream sandwiches they made!Our next break was at the Thistle Hill shelter to grab some water. The privy there was a very weird raised hexagon structure. It seems that the Dartmouth Outing Club, which maintains this section of trail, really enjoys quirky privy designs. The first town we passed was West Hartford, which has a bridge that you can jump off of. A trail angel with a house nearby called us over, and after getting some safety recommendations for him I jumped the 30 feet into the White River!We passed two interstates today, which is a rare occurrence. We're definitely getting along the trail as we're nearing the end of the interstate numbering system. We had a long roadwalk into Norwich, which was full of rich homes. One house even had a sprinkler going that we ran through. In town there was a carnival going on that we unfortunately didn't have time to stop by. Andrew and I had a good time watching the confused look of drivers in the upscale town passing by two stinky guys, one in a Hawaiian shirt and short shorts!We crossed a big bridge over the Connecticut River, making the end of Vermont. It's hard to believe that I only have one full state left in my trip! On the New Hampshire side of the river we reached Hanover. The Ivy League college town atmosphere was a bit of a culture shock compared to trail life. We enjoyed a nice break there with Gatorade and grapes from Bear Bait and Recliner before continuing on.We laid down in the grass on the Dartmouth athletic fields when we passed by since it just felt so nice. NH was a stark difference and we immediately noticed more rocks and roots. There was even a rope climb up one very steep rock face. As the sun set and our hike turned to night hiking, we put our headlamps on when we heard an animal that might have been a spooked bear. We passed through open fields and turned off our headlamps to enjoy the stars a few times. When we finally reached the pickup spot at around 11, Bear Bait and Recliner had a large pizza waiting for us! Andrew and I chowed down while headed back to our hotel rooms to crash. It feels like so much happened today since we passed much more along the trail than usual with the big miles.Quote of the day:"Feed your mind, body, soul, and spirit every day on the trail" - Mantra Dynasty (sweet trail name btw), a SOBO character we met with some funny reenactments of White Mountain hiking.