Date: 2015-09-04
From: Winturri Shelter

To: White River Hostel
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: scattered clouds

We were up and off early with a destination of Hanover. Right off of the bat we had to climb down an 8' ladder as a part of the trail! We were off and went over Ascutney Mountain and then a series of 4 peaks to go up and over with plenty of views and stone walls along the way. I've been loving the apples and berries as they suppliment my food stock and the fresh fruit gives me energy and tastes so wonderful. But best of all is that it's all organic and free! There are so many streams and bridges to cross along the way along with many types of mushrooms and fluffy white toadstools. I enjoy the tiny florescent mushrooms as I do the orange newts as they brighten the trail so much. We crossed a number of fields while we descended to the Cloudland Road where we walked .2 miles to the Cloudland Market as Rocky was eager to get some of their icecream and cheese. I got 2 craft sodas and we sat on the porch and refilled out water supply while charging out devices. After a good break we pressed on up Thistle Hill past the Thistle Hill Shelter down to VT14. Rocky had to hitch into town as he was getting low on supplies and so we parted ways and said that we'd meet up again in Hanover, VT and hike north from there. Taking a break at a small steam I had fun and built two rock cairns by the stream. While I was thinking I realized that I'm so looking forward to NH although I'm very apprehensive about the Whites as I keep getting mixed reviews about the amount of climbing that requires the use of hands. Some say that it's easy but others say that there's a lot. I'm going to go as far as I can but if it threatens to make my shoulder injury worse or if I simply can't do it I'll have to skip ahead and miss a section as little as I like the idea. But I'll tackle that when the situation arises. I cross the White River, go straight ahead to the blue barn and arrive at the White River Hostel in West Hartford which is the trail angel's house. I heard that these great people have a bunk house in their garage and that they have a cooler of drinks at all times on their porch for thirsty hikers. Going up on the porch I met the mistress of the house and she told me to help myself to a soda while she explained the hostel in the barn while I dran my soda, and it was so good in the day's heat. I went into the garage loft and picked out a bunk and got situated. I then got my clothes together and went down to the river for a bath and to clean up my clothing. The water was cool and refreshing and I enjoyed myself for awhile before heading across the street to the barn. There were some people that I knew from Bookworm and Bison and we caught up on trail talk over a safety meeting and a cold beer. We sat under a crab tree whose apples were terrible tasting and talked. I have been loving all of the different types of apples along the trail from tiny crab apples that can be either super sour or rarely sweet. I had a stash of apples from the trail so I cooked my dinner and ate some apples and watched a movie before going to bed. I'm so stoked about finishing my 12th state and think about my journey thus far as I drift off to sleep after listening to Adel.