Date: 2009-08-18
From: Vermont

To: Massachusetts
Miles today: 130.0

Vermont has been great! I was warned by many NOBOs about the mud in Vermont, but it must have dried up, because it has been mainly smooth sailing. I got a new pair of shoes in Hanover, and I have been trying to break them in, which has been difficult for some reason. My feet started aching at first, but each day seems to get better. I have been trying to do some bigger miles now that I am out of more difficult terrain. The weather has been outstanding, and I have only been rained on once! That's great considering I sent my rain gear and winter gear home for a while. Right now I am in Manchester Center, Vermont, and I am staying at the Green Mountain House. It is unbelievable! It is very reasonably priced, and it's basically everything a hiker needs, along with a free pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. Jeff and Regina do a wonderful job running this place! For the next 16 days I will be pushing myself mentally and physically to do over 20 miles a day. Why? Well, my Mom, Dad, and girlfriend Jess are flying into New Jersey to meet me, and I would like to make things convenient for them. In order to make an easy pick up possible, I have made it a goal to hike over 20 miles a day for 16 days. I will take things one day at a time, and if my body is telling me to slow down, I will. It's not like I want to injure myself or something, but the challenge is there, and I like pushing the extreme at times. Not so many views lately because I am in the green tunnel of trees from now on. The shade from the trees makes it a lot cooler during the day which is nice. It felt like the first day of summer the other day when the temperature finally got above 90 for the first time. I have been ahead of the pack of Southbounders for a little bit, and I think I am about to blow by a few more. I hiked with a guy named Igo this past week, and he is always good company. The interesting thing about him is that he canoed the entire Mississippi River from Wisconsin to the Gulf of Mexico in 89 days. I have talked with him a lot about it, and maybe I could do that one day, with my girlfriend if she's up to it! I know a job is supposed to be next for me, but there is definitely a part of me that would love to take another epic journey. If things work out, we'll see...in other news, last night I was able to sleep in my hammock on the river. Literally on the river! I found an island with 2 trees, and I rigged my hammock between them. After that, I brought my pack over, stood on the tallest part of the island, and declared that the island be named "G Fog Island." So last night, I camped out on G Fog Island, which was nice because there were hardly any bugs. There have been some killer streams and lakes to swim in recently too. I have taken several dips when I can, and it feels great when it's so hot and humid out. There was a cool gorge that I went in, and the only problem with that swimming hole was all the leeches! Small ones, but they came in the multitudes! Just peel off the skin, cook, and serve. Yum! Just kidding, you don't cook them, just eat. I can't believe in only a few short days I will be leaving Vermont for Massachusetts! It feels like I just got here. Things will be speeding up a little more, which will be a nice change of pace. I did 16.5 miles today in less than 5 and a half hours, which was a solid pace. I don't have a plan as to where I will be headed next as far as towns go. I have 3 days of food, and I plan on decided what I need to do when the time comes. It really feels like I am "in it", now that I am moving more and seeing lots of different places. I still feel like each day I am blessed to be out here, rain or shine, and knowing that I have only a limited amount of days makes me live each day to the fullest. I know that I am learning a lot out here that will make a difference in my life even after I am done with the trail, and remember, it's not about the miles, it's about the smiles!