Date: 2014-08-21
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Vermont 11 and 30
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: broken clouds

The rain which started about 4 AM sounded great on the tin roof of the shelter. Since I was planning on a 10 mile walk to hwy 11 to stop for resupply, I slept a little extra wondering if the rain would stop.Except for a bag of nuts and dried fruit, one protein bar and one carnation instant breakfast, the food bag was empty after I had breakfast.No other hikers came in during the night, but as I was preparing to get going, Babs Bunny and Arctic Monkey came in dripping wet from the rain. They hung their tent fly up to dry some and changed into some dryer clothes.This is the first time in days, I was gearing up to go out in the rain on a cool day. I had a hard time deciding on what to wear and was slow getting it together. Since It was 65 degrees and raining I opted to put on the insulated bottoms and raincoat.I felt comfortable as I set out but I could see I was going to heat up soon. I came to a sign that said trail and headed off in the direction it pointed but began to note the absence of white blazes but instead saw blue blazes and the Catamount Cross Country Ski trail instead. I went a little further to see if I might come to a trail crossing to meet the AT. I checked Google Maps and noted I was not too far from the AT but went a little more and GPS showed me veering farther away. I had a thought of just following a stream and bush whacking my way over to the AT. Apparently I was beginning to think a little more clearly at that point because the rational voice said that would be a good way to get lost in the woods and nobody find me. Rather than attempt a shortcut I retraced my path back to "trail" sign. I read the next line and it said Stratton Pond trail. I had neglected to read the complete sentence. I walked a few more yards and found the correct AT trail. If I had tried the shortcut, I may have had my way blocked by the Pond or on a trail closed due to high water.I could sense the fog in my brain now as I soon came to an expected water source and stopped for water. I changed out of my raincoat and insulated bottoms. I might have been upset with myself for "wasting" an hour, but I just accepted the delay. I have learned that in times past when I was angry for delays, I avoided a possible mishap such as an accident on the highway or a chance meeting of someone.As it so happened, Babs Bunny and Arctic Monkey caught up with me and I eventually ran into Momma Bear, Daddy Long Legs and his wife, as well as Rabbit. I walked awhile with Rabbit and found out he is from Missouri. (He said if he picked a spirit animal it would be the hawk.)I was going to have to hitchhike into Manchester. Jeff at Green Mountain House said it should be easy to get a ride into town and he would pick me up from the grocery after I finished with resupply. Remarkably I have made it this far without standing on the road with my thumb out. I prayed that God would send me someone that would be a blessing to me. In less than 5 minutes a car pulled over and offered me a ride. It was a young woman who was apparently not as young as I thought because she said when "when I was younger." She worked in town and loves hiking as well, so there was plenty to talk about for the ride. Yes, she was a blessing because I got over my anxiousness of hitching as her positive energy put me at ease.At the hostel, there were 4 SOBO's staying. We had good conversations about what I had to look forward to going north and I had good advice for them on the trail to the south.