Date: 2015-07-22
From: Manchester Center VT

To: Killington VT by the weekend
Miles today: 130.1
Weather: overcast clouds

The brief update since last time would look like this:Thursday Day 96 7/16/15Got back on the trail today after a zero day yesterday. Ingerlin's cousin Norman drove the couple of hours over from Boston area to spend the day with me. Pure fun hanging out with Norm, eating great food (that he paid for), and catching up with each other. Did a comfortable day of hiking in great weather conditions for 17.6 miles.Stayed at the very busy Shaker Campsite tonight.Friday Day 97 7/17/15Got started fairly early this morning after sleeping in my tent. Must have gotten down to 50 degrees last night, and I was quite cold. I'm going to have to do something with my sleeping gear before I get to the Whites or I will perish. I did warm up because I covered 27.5 miles by days end.Saturday Day 98 7/18/15Slept well last night in good temperatures after freezing the night before. Walked down into Dalton, a beautiful NE town. Had a great breakfast at the Dalton Restaurant,and as i was continuing on the trail thru town it started to rain heavily, so i stopped at a convienience store to consider my options(while drinking more coffeeEventually it cleared and i hiked on but made for a shorter day of only 12.3 miles, taking me to Cheshire MA. That night I slept in the fellowship hall of the local Catholic Church that has been opening it's doors to hikers for several years now. Again , I'm impressed. Father David is a fine fellow in this very busy country perish.Sunday Day 99 7/19/15Roused at 5:30am, and was hiking by 7:00am. this days hiking was threatened by forecasts of horrible storms moving into the area, probably in the mid to late afternoon. I climbed Mt Greylock, the hisghest peak in Mass, still in good weather. Beautiful panoramic views from the top. Able to see up to 70 miles in some directions, into various other surrounding states. At 14.2 miles i decide to roll down into Williamstown MA and hunker down for the storm that is sweeping across NY and into MA. Tornados have been repoted in NY.Monday Day 100 7/20/15Crossed the 1600 mile mark today. Came into Vermont, my 12th state as well. Did 20 miles. Been hiking 100 days today. Big Day!!!Tuesday Day 101 7/21/15Finding out why hikers have often called this state "Vermud". The trail is surely muddy in the wake of the heavy recent storms.Hiked past three shelters today and pushed on , dispite the mud, and covered 21 miles.Wednesday Day 102 7/22/15Climbed famous Mtn. Stratton this morning , standing at 4000 feet, and thoroughly enjoyed the process. Even though high, Stratton is a gradual, lovely climb. and to boot, there is a tower on the top that allows panoramic views into all the surrounding states. Pulled up at around 3 pm this afternoon at 17.5 miles so that i could slip down into Manchester Center for resupply and to stay at one of the finest Hostels on the trail. The Green Mtn. House is another that is almost B&B quality. Real beds with a real breakfast in the morning - two of my favorite things nowTime to get off here and go to bed. It must be 11pm - two hours after hiker midnight.Keep Charging BULL