Date: 2021-08-10
From: Bennington, VT

To: Rutland VT
Miles today: 90.2

8/1 Sunday - 10.1 miles to Goddard Shelter after Dropping Silvia, Micaela, Isabella and NinaMoo at the Asheville NC airport on the previous Thursday, driving to my Dad's in Rochester NY, arriving Friday, train to Albany where my cousin Gail and her husband Jim picked me up and dropped me on the trail in Bennington the next day. Some rain that evening, mostly over cast and a muddy, rocky, root and water filled trail. Card to Tyler to contact me when he got to NC.8/2 Monday - 8.9 miles to Story Spring Shelter. Trail conditions about the same, not very good but starting to dry out a little. It was the wettest July in history for VT. Nice view of the clouds from Glastonbury fire tower.8/3 Tuesday - 10.5 miles to Stratton Pond Shelter. Always, if possible, in a tent but at the shelter for water, a dry place if it rains, privy, occasional bear box for food storage, and people to talk to. Hiked over Stratton Mt. Full Moon and Lady In Pink who I would see for the next week, 4 Long Trail (LT) section hikers - Doc, Ender, Chris and Junko.8/4 Wednesday - 10.5 miles to Manchester Center, Green Mountain House hostel. Great place. Only had room for me for 1 night so I resupplied, ate a burger, fries and milkshake and headed out the next day. Picked up a sleep pad at Mountain Goat Outfitters. Full Moon and Lady in Pink were at the hostel. Climbed Spruce Peak.8/5 Thursday - 10.1 miles to Peru Peak Shelter. Family of 4 from Wisconsin (Packman, Fixed Gear, Crabs and Ground Score) plus 4 from GA (David, Mark and Pravin) who came up to hike a few days with Waffles. I gave Waffles my card to contact me when she got to NC for any trail magic needed. Over Bromley Mt. and Peru Peak.8/6 Friday - 9.7 miles to Little Rock Pond Shelter. Went swimming in the pond, nice shelter. Saw Chippin Away again (2nd time I think) and she helped me reach Silvia by text to see if she broke or sprained her ankle. Met a mother and daughter section hiker (Margaret and Sarah). The trail continues to dry out with minimal rain, a few evening showers, so the mud is disappearing, but the rocks, roots and up and down is here to stay.8/7 Saturday - 9.9 miles to Minerva Hinchey Shelter. Over Bear Mt (there seem to be several of them over the past few states). Chippin away and the Milwaukee family were at the shelter.  Trail continues to improve as the rains hold off. That can't last. Silvia's ankle is sprained. She wants me to keep on hiking although I would haed back to FL tomorrow if she needed me.8/8 Sunday - 9.8 miles to Governor Clement Shelter. Not a bad day but I am SORE. Even these days have many ups and downs and hopefully are making my hiking legs stronger. One foot in front of the other. I've been able to stay in my tent every day except when in town. Still with Chippin Away (who gets up at 5 am and leaves before I even wake up at 6 am). Milwaukee family also here.8/9 Monday - 10.6 miles to Rutland, RT 4 in VT, the Yellow Deli Hostel. Great food, bed felt like only a box spring (top bunk). Lots of people. Went over Killington Mt. It is BIG. The last .2 miles, blue trail, was STEEP. Chippin Away was here plus Full Moon and Lady in Pink (2 zero days) who all left the next morning. Free bus from Rt 4 to downtown, right near the Yellow Deli.8/10 Tuesday - ZERO miles. First day off with no hiking. Resupply, laundry, library for using a computer. Relaxing.All in all, a good start for my hike. I sure appreciate the support I have from family and friends. I expect to hike for about 8 weeks and wherever I end up, is where I stop Hike your own hike. I miss Silvia the most. Ricky is spiritually with me everyday, and Kyle is too. Looking forward to seeing Kyle and Kristen, SIlvia and NinaMoo, Dad, Bob and Lark at the end of September. Bye for now. One day at a time.