Date: 2003-07-23
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: VT11/VT30, Manchester Center
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: light rain

When I got up this morning, I had decided I'd start my journal with "The word for today was 'squish'".   Now, I will start it more appropriately...It was the worst of times. It was the best of times.It rained again last night, making the muddy spots more muddy and creating new muddy spots. A lot of the day was spent trying to decide whether to step on wet rocks, wet roots, in thick, black mud, or on wet, solid, slanted clay. I don't know how well I did with my decisions, as my lower legs were covered in mud, but I didn't fall today, so that's a plus. I cannot say the same thing for Hotdog. He took a couple of diggers, both at the end of a long day.Bree and I wanted to go all the way to town today. I just had it in my head that I might as well go to town instead of stop within 3 miles of it. Hotdog wanted to stay at the shelter before town. That is, until we found out a group of kids would be there too. Then he said town would probably be better.This morning, we climbed Stratton Mountain, which is almost 4000 ft at it's peak. It's nice to be getting back up in elevation, although, it was cloudy and foggy, so there was no view at the top, even from the firetower. Section-hiker T Hip Chick was at the top when we were, and we all ate lunch up there. It was a brief lunch, as it was a bit breezy and chilly. On our way down, we met SOBO The Creature, and talked with him a bit. When he headed on up, he ran. Ran! The nerve of him! WE weren't running, and we were going downhill! Hotdog, Bree and I all just stared when he took off, our jaws lying in the mud somewhere. Oh well... to each his own. Crazy Creature!Our next break was at Stratton Pond, which was beautiful, despite the lack of sun. Had it been a nicer day out, I would have been very tempted to stay there for a while, and forget about town for today. But, it wasn't, and we moved on.T Hip Chick was staying at Stratton Pond Shelter, but the three of us headed on, not taking many breaks. Bree said she wanted to be to town by 6:30, and when someone lays a challenge like that on me, I take it. I don't know why. I guess I will always have some competitiveness within me, even if I only compete with myself. I kept up a pretty good pace, until I relinquished the lead to visit the woods.There was a section where the trail had a lot of downed trees across it. Most were cleared enough that we could walk around them, or step over them. I found out later, from two maintainers, that there was a tornado Monday night. I know, on Monday, I was happy to be in a shelter, with all the thunderstorming going on. Now, I am extremely happy about it!When we got to the 'decision' shelter, Hotdog agreed to go on, as we'd just passed the group headed there. We took a standing break, as all three of us were afraid we wouldn't be able to get up if we sat down. We'd covered about 19 miles by then. Nineteen hard, foot-sliding, mud-battling miles. I led the way again, but was trying to be careful, as I knew I was tired, and my footwork was getting sloppy. It was in these last 3 miles that Hotdog fell. Twice. Luckily, I don't think there was anything hurt. What is it with 20-mile days and falling? Coincidence? Hardly!We finally came to the road, and I was happy to be there. All day, we'd talked about a Mexican restaurant near the hotel we were going to try to stay at, and I could taste the chips and salsa. We checked our info, to make sure we'd hitch the right way, and Bree and I stuck our thumbs out while Hotdog refreshed his 'Hiker to town' sign. While we were waiting, we met Tubaman, who hiked in 2000 (I think). He ahd just been in town, and was headed north, doing the Long Trail this year. He told us the hotel we were eyeing, Sutton's Place, was full, but a hotel outside of town still had vacancies. Not ideal for hikers who need to go to places in town, but beggers can't be choosy. Our hitch came soon, and we piled into the back of a pickup truck, just happy to have a ride. They dropped us off at a motel, and we unpiled ourselves. No vacancy. We went across the street. No vacancy. We walked down the street. No vacancy. We were not happy. There is some horse show going ! on, and rooms are scarce. Hmmm... we pondered. We made calls. We were not having much luck. The clouds were rolling in. We decided we'd hitch into town and think about it while eating.We got a hitch fairly easily, and got dropped off at a shopping center. Bree saw another hiker, and went to ask about lodging options. It was Flowcefus. Trailfrog was in the grocery shopping, and they were going to go back to the trail to camp, if a contact they had didn't work out. Hotdog and I decided to go to Friendly's, and soon, Bree, Flowcefus, and Trailfrog showed up too.I wasn't thrilled about not having a place to stay, but was happy enough with food in front of my face. I picked up a crayon for a little boy, and spoke with his grandparents briefly. As we were finishing up with dinner, I went to their table to ask about other lodging options. They were very helpful, and said they'd drive us to a hotel, and if it was full, we could stay at their house. Wow! What an offer! We agreed, and ended up going straight to their house. What awesome people!I have had shower, and laundry is done. I even got to wear a robe while laundry was in the works. Talk about luxury! They have offered to take us to town tomorrow, for shopping and errands, or just let us relax on their deck, if the weather allows it. It is amazing.It's unbelievable what can happen when I just talk to people. I had to convince myself to talk to them again at Friendly's, and finally decided I had nothing to lose. All I was really expecting, at best, was a ride to a hotel, perhaps after calling it to make sure there was a vacancy. But things worked out, and worked out very nicely. I am so amazed at what strangers will do to help me. I never expected we'd have trouble finding a room. And I never expected I'd be in a bed in someone's guest bedroom.It was a bad day. It was a great day!