Date: 2015-07-19
From: Greenwall Shelter, VT

To: Governor Clement Shelter, VT
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

Up at 7:00am to the the sun illuminating my rain fly, and the sounds of Saybra slowly packing up. After quickly downing 2 Flintstone breakfast bars and packing my gear, we'd be off at 8:00am on what would ultimately be a shorter day. Knowing Yoohoo, Huey, and Rabbit were ~6 miles behind me, I was in no real hurry, expecting them to catch me at some point. Meanwhile, Saybra and I began the day with a 1,000ft climb up and over Bear Mountain on the way to Minerva Hinchey Shelter, ~5 miles away. I would start off strong while Saybra was in pain from yesterday's 22.6 miles, reaching the shelter ~45 minutes ahead of her.As I waited I utilized the time by snacking on some Slim Jim's, cheese sticks, and Kit-Kat bars, exchanging whistle calls with a bird in a nearby tree, and flipping through my guidebook in order to plan out the remainder of the afternoon. Seeing a restaurant located half a mile off the trail just under 3 miles ahead was all I needed to know that today would officially be a short day. When Sabrya arrived, covered in sweat from the early morning humidity, I ran the idea by her and she was soon on board. As she tended to her feet, I treated her to a brief version of Cambo's famous shoulder massages. It was just what she needed to pus the next ~3 miles to VT 103.Before we reached the road, however, we experienced a series of awesome surprises. The first came in the version of a view overlooking the Rutland, VT airport, the valley it was nestled in, and the large mountain ranges to the west. An old plastic chairs had been placed at the view at some point in the past and I was able to enjoy a few minutes off my feet, taking in the moment on my version of a throne. As we continued down from the peak towards Clarendon Gorge, we were treated to trail magic - a cooler filled with icecold Capri Sun's. The fruit punch flavor was a treat on my tongue and I could've easily downed every one there, but knowing hikers remained behind me and food in front was enough to tell me that 1 was plenty. As we reached Clarendon Gorge, a pit some ~30-40ft cut into the higher surrounding terrain, we crossed over a wobbly suspension bridge and the rushing water below. As we did, we noticed several locals sitting on rocks and swimming in slower-moving pools. Saybra suggested we go for a swim and we were soon down in the gorge swimming beneath the bridge was had been standing on. Unbeknownst to the locals, however, is we considered this our bath more so than a swim. After an hour of being lost in the cool flow of the water and resting on the rocks, we climbed out of the gorge and made our way to VT 103 a hundred yards away.With no luck catching a hitch, we walked the half-mile to Qu's Whistle Stop, an old train stop converted modern day restaurant - a favorite among hikers. We sat outside on the deck, gadgets charging nearby, and enjoyed the next ~2.5 hours being lazy and enjoying our food. I had a club sandwich with chips, a large order of fries, and ~7 Coke's. I treated Saybra to her lunch as a way to congratulate her for her 20+ miler on only her sixth day. She would later treat me to a maple syrup-flavored creamy (Vermont's way of saying ice cream cone) and I must say I was a fan. We mingled with a couple other thru-hikers, Frisbee and Catnapper, who would actually be camping there tonight. The Whistle Stop, when closed, still offers thru-hikers access to camping, a bathroom, and electricity. Combine that with their amazing service and friendliness and it was easy to see why this place is a favorite. A must-do if thru-hiking.With it being 4:30pm and the day having escaped us, we decided we'd cover the next ~7 miles to Governor Clement Shelter which sits at the foot of Killington Mountain. With the late afternoon humidity kicking in (temperatures nearing 90F) and a series of 2 climbs to start with, I mentally prepared myself and my food/Coke baby for the miles ahead. After scrambling through an uphill river of large rocks, we were treated to our last view of the day, once again overlooking the nearby Airport and distant mountains. We ate a few handfuls of raspberries and strawberries growing along the trail as we made our way over Beacon Hill. After a few miles of meandering through thick forests, we reached Cold River where we planned to take another quick dip in order to feel clean again after all of our post-lunch sweating. However, no pools deep enough could be found and, with the hint of nearby thunder beginning to rumble, my mindset quickly switched into business mode.I made a comment to Saybra that it was now time to get moving. I turned and was soon covering ground without looking back. Over boulders and roots, through several small streams, and beneath the trees swaying from the increased wind, I refused to let myself get caught in rain without at least attempting to reach the shelter. Thunder grew closer and the skies darkened, making it appear to be an hour later than it was. I stopped for a quick moment to take a blurr picture of a small sign on a tree stating that 500 miles remained between Mt. Katahdin and I. No time to celebrate as I was soon flying down the trail despite my sore feet begging me to slow down. I even asked God to hold the rain just long enough for me to do my part in reaching the shelter. 45 minutes and ~2.7 miles later, I reached the shelter less than 1 minute before the sky opened up. Maybe it was just dumb luck or maybe He heard me and listened - I thanked Him nonetheless as I stood under the shelter with other thru-hikers, dry and warm. What has He done for you today? I bet if you think hard enough, you'll find something. I sure did.Not long after the rain ceased, Yoohoo, Huey, and Rabbit would appear - Yoohoo letting out his trademark "Yooooohooooo" as he neared the shelter and me replying with my "Ewwweeeee." As we all were saying our hellos and briefly catching up, Wilson would appear followed shortly after by Saybra. Except for Saybra who had thrown on a poncho, the rest of the group was soaked to the bone. My feet may be hurting a bit more tonight, but they really came through for me. We all eventually retreated into the nearby woods and pitched our tents for the night. As it closes in on 10:00pm, most of the rain has stopped, but drops continue to thunk off my rain fly from the treetops above.Tomorrow brings Mt. Killington, the first 4,000ft summit I will have claimed since at least Virginia. My morning will immediately begin with a ~2,000ft climb over the first ~4 miles. After reaching the summit, the majority of the remaining ~10 miles into Killington will be downhill. The plan for now is to "nearo" into town and find a place to stay in order to rest, do laundry, and resupply. My food bag tonight literally consists of the following: 1 pack of peanut butter crackers, 1 Flintstone breakfast bar, 2 cheese sticks, 2 Slim Jim's, and 2 mini Twix bars. A resupply point couldn't have come at a better time.Here's to the childhood feeling that comes with drinking a Capri Sun, swimming in a Vermont gorge, and feeling loved by the big man upstairs.