Date: 2003-07-16
From: Minerva Hinchey Shelter (1605') 

To: Cooper Lodge (3900') 
Miles today: 13.9

Aloha! What a day; what a day! It's been a pretty good day all and all. I'm pleased. Tired but pleased. I'll tell you about it if you'd like.   The day started off much like many of the days in the past - with rain. Not just a misty overcast kind of rain mind you but the pouring buckets kind of rain. It started at 5a and didn't let up until 10a. I know because I was awake for the 50th time fighting off the damned mosquitoes. (I want my tent and poles! Rain or no rain!) Anyway, the rain made it hard to get up and get moving. Just as I was about to head out into the rain ThomCat and Tyger offered me a nice hot cup of tea. I didn't want to be rude so of course I accepted. I finally braved the elements at 8:30a and boy was it hard.   My first stop was the Clarendon Gorge with its suspension bridge over Mill River. The bridge overlooks a favorite swimming hole for the nearby residents. It looked like the perfect spot too. Had the weather been warmer and I hotter I would have been basking in it. But not today. Too wet and chilly already.   Shortly thereafter I came to the road that would lead me .5 mile to the Whistle Stop Cafe. I was tempted to make the trek since there was a ride ready and willing to take me but I didn't. Pancakes sounded wonderful but since I had already experienced the Whistle Stop with Elaine the RidgeRunner last week I decided to pass it on by. Silly me, pancakes would have helped me over the upcoming mountains!   Next stop - Clarendon Shelter for lunch. Not only did I get lunch but I also got a pleasant surprise - Chilz and Cypher enjoying a lie-in. Poor Chilz, he looked surprised but also extremely confused to see me. If I was almost a week ahead of him, how is it that I was standing there now? With explanations given Cypher and I rebounded. I do love that dog!   Chilz, Cypher and I spent the rest of the day playing leapfrog. Normally they leaped over me but once in a while I got to pass them by while they lounged on their long breaks. One of those breaks offered up trail angel activity. Sitting in the Cold River was a make shift cage holding Coke, Orange, Dr Pepper, and a lemon-lime type drinks. All for the taking. From reading the register there it seems someone named Gnome does this almost daily. Pretty dang special of him to do so. I did grab a coke but I also offered up all my change in return. Seemed only fair and I still got the better end of the deal for sure!   My original destination was going to be the Governor Clement Shelter but I've received so many warnings against staying there I moved on to here. It seems that the Clement shelter is a big party spot with the locals since a road drives right up to the front of it. The register mentioned bubbas showing up at about 1a this morning to do circles around the shelter in their truck and then a group of ATV'rs at 2a. Lots of noise but everyone was left alone. That was enough for me to decide to continue on north. Don't like the noise anymore.   Enroute to the shelter there was a critter encounter with a small doe. She seemed pretty determined to check us out. Not even Cypher's presence made her move. She stood and stared and even tried to come closer. Since there is plenty for her to eat right now, I can only think that someone has been hand feeding her. A big no-no. Hunting season is right around the corner.   From that shelter to this shelter it has been nothing but UP. A tough 4.4 miles of UP to be exact. There had been a moment of hard UP coming out of the gorge but this was almost 4.5 miles of it going UP to 3900'. Rocks? Yes. Mud? Yes. Roots? Yes. Slippery rocks, mud and roots? YES! All on a winding often narrow trail. It was not an easy climb at all. My tush muscles will be feeling this throughout the day tomorrow. But that's okay; I have three huge Mexican food meals from Texas to work off!   Speaking of Texas, today felt a little strange. The reverse of the 11th actually. Walking along this morning it was easy to believe that my having been in Texas was only a dream. It felt as if I had never been off the trail. It was all just a bad nightmare. It really was a weird feeling. {shiver}   Shortly before getting here I was supposed to see the Killington Peak trail but didn't. With my head always down watching my every step I wonder how many other things I miss. Humm... Anyway, this summit is the highest point near the trail in Vermont and the second highest peak in the state. Supposedly the open, rocky summit offers panoramic views, and on a clear day, you can see the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Adirondacks of New York. There is also supposed to be a snack bar and ski lift operated by the ski resort. Sounds good to me. I'll probably check it out in the morning before moving on. Even a $2 cup of coffee isn't too much if you're in need of good (read non-instant) coffee!   I am now set up in an enclosed stone cabin built by the Vermont Forest Service. The whole front and sides of the cabin are windowed. Well, holes for windows anyway. No glass or plexiglass to keep out the wind but the perception is there. At 3900' it's dang chilly up here. Chilz is already tucked into his sleeping bag with Cypher pulled in close for additional warmth. Another new-to-me AT north bounder, Bob, has joined us and looks pretty close to being in the same position. Since I'm currently wearing most everything I have I think it's time for me to climb into what has been a much too hot sleeping bag and warm up. I guess carrying my winter bag the whole time was for the best after all.   Okay, as I said, warm up and night-night time for this gal. That last 4.4 miles UP really did kick my tush. Thankfully tomorrow is almost all down to the Inn at the Long Trail. That means, down, poles, shower, laundry, and food. It's the little things that make a gal happy. Especially the food part.See ya in my dreams.BSandTs: just as wet from muggy, humid sweat this afternoon as I was from the rain this morning.AandPs: left foot continues to be an irritant but much much better. Getting better with each passing day with the arch supports.MandGs: one damned irritating fly going back and forth from on ear to the other for the first 2.5 miles UP this mountain... waah!Critter count: 13x Red Efts, 1x doe (very brave or very stupid doe)