Date: 2008-08-23
From: Kent Pond 

To: Wintturi Shelter
Miles today: 14.0

Although trying to sleep in, I was packed, ready and waiting at the Inn by 7:00, breakfast was not served until 8:00. Dave had told me that the cook would be a lady named "PV", when she arrived I introduced myself and she had made me coffee as soon as she got into the kitchen. She had breakfast served at 7:40, It was like a private meal fixed just for me until 2 other guests arrived. I could get used to this. As I ate, I thought I am finally eating at an Inn in Vermont. When else would I have ever done this? Now I think of how soon I will be able to do it again? I want to return and do a road trip visiting some of these places I have enjoyed so much.The breakfast was an all you can eat. I tried a little of everything, but it was the pancakes that really hit the spot. I failed to mention that while waiting this morning I met Alice the pot bellied pig. Apparrently she is famous around here, I could have bought a T-shirt with her picture on it.I was quite full and moving again by 08:37 a.m. Today was a lot of uphill climbs. It was 11 miles to where Sprite was meeting her brother. I put on my MP3 which I only listen to a few times a month. I cranked out the miles and soon met up with Sprite & Freckles whom were still waiting for Sprite's brother to arrive. Apparrently, the road had washed out and Sprite's brother Jim had to do a 35 mile re-route to access the narrow dirt & gravel road from the other direction. Cell reception was poor and we waited as long as we thought we could. Just as we were packing up to leave, Sprite's brother Jim and his wife Karen came down the narrow dirt road.Another minute and we would have missed them, ahh the timing, it's everything.Freckles & I introduced ourselves while Sprite and her family were catching up. Their pick up was full of trail magic, in no time chairs were up, the grill was grilling and we were drinking Blue Moons, eating chips & snacks waiting for a feast. Hamburgers, hot dogs, corn in the husk, potatoe salad, pasta salad cookies and even snickers, it was a dream come true in the middle of the woods of Vermont.As I sat back taking this all in, I was so grateful to Jim & Karen for driving a few hours and making this all possible and to Sprite who made this happen as well. I am a blessed and fortunate man to be here right now with these people. I could have never dreamed this journey any better than it has been.The time had passed by too quickly, we were going to have to bring this party to an end. There was food left over, we were hoping that John & Kelly would arrive as we had passed them earlier in the day. Sprite left trail magic in the creek in which the trail crossed. Just as we were about to leave, "Hiker Dave" came walking up. He was in near shock when he was handed a cold beer, he went into further shock when he was handed a second one. We said our goodbyes then left.As if today didn't present enough gifts, there was still more that lie ahead.Sprites Friend Vivian Rose or "Bee Charmer" was meeting us at the Wintturi Shelter. I arrived just befor dark and met Vivian. She had brought a pack full of goodies to eat. Here tonight with us is "Goose" and "Tip Toe" I had met Goose & Fat Jim back at the Story Spring Shelter and again the next day at the Stratton Ski Village several days ago.We fixed dinner by the light of our headlamps, it was delicious. Again I am grateful to a stranger whom I just met that shared openly the kindness of their heart. The AT with all it's magic and wonderment is alive and well here in Vermont. This is when you really have to think hard at why you would ever want to leave the trail? And ask, is what you came from better or worse?As I lay in my tent, I can only thank God for the blessings of this day. The unexpected feasts and meeting of new friends, the repeated lessons of the Golden Rule. Is this really me talking?Today I put 1700 miles behind me, just a few months ago this was still a dream waiting to be realized. I don't want to forget a single moment, it has been another amazing day.Tomorrow we will do a slack pack, thanks to the help of Bee Charmer.The stars are bright in the sky tonight even through the canopy of the tree tops. I wish my eyes could remain open to watch for shooting stars, but they are now heavy and wanting to close.