Date: 2014-07-01
From: Lost Pond Shelter

To: Rutland, VT, Yellow Deli Hostel
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: broken clouds

This again might be the hottest most humid days on the trail.Woke up pretty early and the solo hiker girl.......uhhhhh...excuse me, hiker lady, wasn't budging and I pretty much knew she wouldn't until I left. Odd. On I went northbound early in the day to an already uncomfortably temperatured hike. The 'Vermud' was especially prevalent this day as well was the bugs and mosquitoes. Some of the trail was low lying and close to very pretty ponds and creeks. Even some of the trail was underwater due to the close proximity of Little Rock Pond. (Pic above)At the end of the hike next to Highway 104 was a swinging bridge and below a swimming hole. Now normally I have been hitting these places either too early in the day or when raining. This time it was around 5 and the heat of the day. I went down to the creek and stripped leaving my crocs on and jumped in. Wow did that feel good. The current wasn't too strong but one could definitely get swept away if not careful or have a foot stuck on a rock. Fortunately even if you did go downstream the water got shallow so not too much danger.I got dried off and dressed heading over the swinging bridge to the trail head on the highway. I asked a couple people if they were going to Rutland but they were not. Rutland was over 8 miles away and I really didn't feel like hitching so I called a cab for the 1st time on the trail. The lady came by in her minivan that was not marked as a taxi in about 15 minutes. I did not get her name but she didn't have any time talking about her golf and tennis game. I tried to get in a few words but she had trouble hearing me, so I just sat back and let her blab. It's what I do best anyway. After a brief tour and history of Rutland, (which I like) She dropped me off at the Yellow Deli and Hiker Hostel right smack in downtown Rutland. I grabbed my bag from the back and she joined me still taking away about were to eat and how nice the 12 Tribes were at this hostel. She wouldn't let me go. I finally did break away and thanked her, walked across the street where another lady was observing us. She looked at me and asked, "Was she hitting on you" "Probably" I smiled. She then informed me that she knew her as she took her boyfriend away from her years back. Oh boy I thought. I shrugged and said, "Well I'm probably too young for her" she then quickly responded, "Don't count on that" Oh boy.... What does Rutland have in store for me I thought as a sheepish grin continued on my face.The Yellow Deli and Hiker Hostel is owned by the 12 Tribes group, a Christian type denomination. People call it a cult, but for years they have been hosting hikers that come into town. If it's bad, or not comfortable the hikers would know it at this point, but the fact is they keep coming in year after year. I don't find this place very cultish at all, in fact they were very hospitable and not at all pushy. I sat at their restaurant which is open 24 hours and a man named "Ish" sat me down and took my order. This place is known for their great food for everything is home grown and supposedly organic. The chicken club sandwich I had was outstanding along with the white bean and kale soup.I went upstairs to where the bunks are, laid my pack down and crashed on the bed. I was planning on going to the Wal-Mart which is right across the street to resupply, but after a shower I was done.SOTD, Diamond Girl, -Seals and Croft. Yet another song with the word "girl" in it. Go figure.