Date: 2009-06-24
From: Mountain Meadows Lodge, Killington, VT

To: Shire Inn, Woodstock, VT
Miles today: 19.5

Wed Jun 24, Day 106. A marvelous day! Ron and Ricky split up the day hiking with us. Ron was first (11 miles) then Ricky finished it out (9 miles). Great weather, lots of video shot by Ron. Check them out, the humour was spontaneous all day - so funny. I had a blast. We worked hard climbing hills today but the fellowship made it all go by just fine. It will be sad to say goodbye tomorrow. [Rest of page is Ron's post] The rain held off and we had a good day through the dense forest of Vermont. Sure is green in the Green Mountain State!Last night we stayed at the Mountain Meadows Lodge near Killington VT. It was built in the early 70s and has the flavor of that era. However, it was right on the AT (trail goes through the front yard down by Kent Pond) and the price was right. The four of us and two other thru-hikers, the Boston Boys, were the only guests for the night. Even had a rec room with a ping pong table. Yes, Ricky DOES sleep in his VT socks. He is a Hokie through and through.Click on picture to see full size. Mountain Meadows Lodge View of Kent Pond fromthe front lawn of the Mountain Meadows Lodge Ron and Spokes in the MML rec roomAfter a breakfast of cereal and bagels we said goodbye to Alice. The is the local hottie, on staff at the Lodge. You have never seen such curves on a lady! Take a look:It was decided that I would hike the first leg with Spokes and Hot Wheels, we hit the trail a few minutes before 0700. Day 106. Ready to go. Starting the day on the front lawn Kent Pond, where the AT crosses the front lawnEleven miles in a lush green forest. High humidity and rolling terrain. There were three long pulls that showed Spokes' level of fitness has reached an unbelievable height. It was all I could do to keep up with him! Here are the highlights of those first eleven miles. Spokes on an 850 foot long wheelchair accessible boardwalk (built by the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps) that crosses the Ottauquechee River floodplain Offset blazes indicate which way the trail turns (here, to the right) Finally - a view! Below the summit of Quimby Mtn Orange Newt Spokes shooting video of an Orange NewtWe took ONE (and only one) break during those 11 miles. We stopped at the Stony Brook Shelter for a few minutes to sit down and enjoy a granola bar and some gorp. Spokes and Awe (Ron) at Stony Brook ShelterWhile there we met several members of the Student Civilian Conservation Corps. Remember the CCC that started back in the 1930s? It's still going and offers students a chance for meaningful work maintaining trails in the summer. Here is an interview with two of the CCCers: Youth CCC hard at work at Stony Brook ShelterWhen be broke out of the woods at Stony Brook Road (mile 7 for the day), the plan was for Ricky to be waiting for me. But no Ricky, no rental car. Ron looking for his ride at Stony Brook RoadNo problem, we'll just keep hiking to the next road crossing - four more miles. We finally saw Ricky at mile 11 -- where I got to log an extra 1.5 miles because that was the closest he could drive the rental car to where the AT crosses Chateauquay Road. So he walked the 1.5 miles in and I walked them out. It was quite an adventure, based on his directions and the fact that the road turned into an ATV trail with a creek running down the middle. The reason Ricky abandoned the rental Enclave Where Ricky abandoned the EnclaveOnly took me an hour to find it!Ricky then took over at Mile 11 and stayed with Spokes and Hot Wheels until the end, around mile 19.5. During those miles he got this rare picture: Hot Wheels and Spokes take a break - a sight rarer than spotting Nessie!I then drove to Woodstock, VT via mostly gravel roads, checked us into the Shire Motel, iced down some cool beverages for the post-hike relaxation period, and drove to the pickup point where the AT crosses VT12 about four miles outside Woodstock. Oh yes, and I also got to have a personal conversation with a VT State Trooper. Turns out they are serious about those 40 mph Speed Limit signs. Gravel roads typical of the shuttle routes on Shock and Awe II Covered bridge still in use near Woodstock, VTI got to the trailhead at VT12 about ten minutes before they climbed over the last stile and headed across the pasture. Here is video of the finish: End of Day 106 - Shock, Spokes, Hot Wheels Ricky donates his hiking poles to the next trekkerWe all returned to the Shire for showers and unpacking, then headed to Pizza Chef for a generous supper. Man, those guys not only can hike, they can eat!! Shire Motel in Woodstock, VT Hot Wheels, Spokes, Shock at Pizza Chef, Woodstock, VT Thru-hikers eat moreIt has been quite an interesting adventure. Ricky and I will post our comments a little later, here is a closing video from Spokes with a few of his thoughts on Shock and Awe II: