Date: 2004-09-02
From: Congdon Lean-to

To: Bennington
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: few clouds

What a difference a day makes¢¦WOW! I entered today with a positive attitude trusting God to handle my troubles. Boy did He. Tonight I¢m going to sleep in a mountain cottage, courtesy of a man named ¢Larry¢. I ate at McDonalds for lunch and bought 4 days worth of groceries thanks to another couple, David and Sue. I cannot believe just how blessed I am. I know I did not do many miles today, but that was my plan. I awoke and decided to try to face my problems in Bennington. Somehow, be it wiring money or something, I would get food and e-mail my sister about getting me money by Killington, VT. I said goodbye to the sobos and headed on my way in the morning. It was cool and I felt a little better physically. As I began to walk I let go, I cried, and I prayed. While I did not have the answers, I prayed God would take care of my needs. I gave up my stresses to Him and the morning suddenly felt better. After 2 12 miles I reached the top of Harmony Hill.It was about 9:30 as I paused to soak in Harmony Hill. The air was brisk, dew still glistened on the grasses, and the crisp air of the blue sky rejuvenated my lungs. I sat on a rock and reflected. While I still had ¢issues¢ I felt lost in God¢s nature. I drank the air in draughts, I smiled, I laughed. The morning was beautiful. It was no one view, but an overall feeling that began in my soul and covered my body. I was lost in wonder as I hiked the next 2 miles downhill to the road.On the way to the road, I passed a sobo, ¢Walmart¢ out slack-packing with his sister. It was nice to talk to someone as it¢s been lonely lately. I told him about ¢The Bird Cage¢ and we swapped a few stories. Then I headed down to the road. I hit VT9 at 11 a.m. and there found ¢Sammurai¢. Sammurai had attempted a thru-hike this year but had to get off in Virginia. Now he was waiting for ¢Underhill¢ and ¢Knuckles¢ to hike with them for a while. I told Sammurai about my rough few days, how I did not have the ¢answers¢, but how I trusted all work out. He encouraged me that it in fact would and I set out to hitch.Within 7 cars a new Subaru pulled off. A kind couple introduced themselves as David and Sue. Within 5 minutes I had the scoop. David and Sue were married this week and just traded in for a new vehicle. They were now excited to be picking me up to try out the new rubber floormats (I was excited too!) Within moments I told them about the hike, where I was from, about my love for Little Debbies, and about my past few days. They asked where I was going and I said the library. They dropped me off at the library and went to have coffee. Before I was done checking e-mail (and receiving bills) Sue dropped by with a ¢Whoopie Pie¢, which is essentially an over-sized Little Debbie :-) . She gave me the fun treat and Dave slid me $20.00. Suddenly I had money for groceries and did not need to contact home. They not only did all this for me, but they drove me to the grocery store, too :-) . They laughed as I skipped out, but I was so amazed and excited. Not only did I have the needed groceries, but I had $4.00 change left for McDonalds :-) . At Mc Donald¢s I had a coke and took nuggets and 2 sandwiches to go. As David and Sue drove me back to the trail I thanked them multiple times. They dropped me off at the parking lot at the trail head and I said goodbye. Wow, unbelievable.At the trailhead I talked more with Sammurai and shared some food. We laughed and talked. I decided I really wanted to contact Carla about returning some gear for me and sending me the money. I should have done it earlier, but oh, well ¢ I was hitching back into Bennington. Less than 10 cars later I was picked up by a kind older man named Larry. Within a few minutes Larry offered me a place to sleep in a cottage he is using on the mountain. It¢s a quaint little place near a lake. We ate pasta and drank Red Wine tonight. I contacted my sister, took a shower, and now I have a bed to sleep in. Larry is extremely nice and seems to think nothing of sharing his space with me. I¢m comfortable, at home, and amazed tonight as I fall into bed.I cannot describe how shocked I am at how God answered me today. Between David and Sue, and Larry, every need I had, plus some luxuries have been met. I¢m on cloud nine half in disbelief and half not surprised at all. I AM BLESSED! Tomorrow I will take it easy and go in to Bennington to wrap up some things. I go to sleep knowing God has me and it feels great. Goodnight,BEATBOX   ttt