Date: 2008-08-24
From: Lost Pond Tent Site

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: few clouds

After a difficult day yesterday, today was much better. The hills didn't seem as tough, my feet didn't hurt as bad and my attitude improved. I worked hard at making sure I didn't run low on water and I ate more throughout the day. That might have helped some, but I really think the trail was much better... and God was looking out for me.The morning up Peru Peak was very gradual and we made it to the top before the heat of the day. Then we came to Griffith pond where we walked on the longest, nicest boardwalk we have seen anywhere on the trail. At one point we came to a wilderness area sign that warned about the remoteness of the area. It said to beware that the trail may not be well maintained. Owl and I looked at each other and said 'They've got to be kidding, this trail is beautiful!'We stopped for lunch on Styles Peak. It was my goal to get there by noon and we made it just before. For the afternoon we just had to climb Bromley. The elevation map for it was very strange looking, lots of little ups and downs. I thought we still had another bump to do when we walked out onto a clearing and saw a firetower. Then there was this other large odd looking thing. Took me a second before I realized it was a ski lift. I hadn't studied the book on this area closely and I didn't realize we were walking into a ski resort.We walked up the fire tower and looked at the stunning view. Then we called our shuttle and set a time to meet at the bottom of the hill. We picked our packs back up and looked around and realized we didn't know where the trail went from here. We wondered aimlessly around the top of the mountain for awhile looking for a blaze. There was an arrow painted on the side of a building pointing down what appeared to be the bunny slope, but no further blazes after that. We did not want to head down the wrong direction and have to turn back around uphill, but we finally started down. Pretty soon we met a couple day hiking up and we asked them. Sure enough we were heading the right way.We had two and half miles downhill to make in one hour. Soaring took the lead since I was pretty sure Owl and I couldn't make that timing. We didn't do too bad tho, we made it down only about five minutes late. But boy were my feet tired!We had called a local shuttle, Joe LeBlanc for a lift into town. We were dropped off at the laundry where we started our usual routine... Laundry, grocery, dinner.We had reservations at a new hiker hostel in town called Green Mountain Home. We weren't quite sure how this would work. We were told he wouldn't pick us up at the trail head, that we were to find a ride into town, take care of our business and call him when we were done. We weren't really sure what business that meant so we took care of everything but showers.With laundry and groceries done we went to Friendly's for dinner and ice cream. When we finished up we called Jeff for a ride to the hostel. Turns out this place is amazing! Reservations are required and they only have space for eight and tonight they only had two openings. They don't allow dogs in the house, but he said I could sleep outside with Roo. This by far the most clean hostel we have stayed in. Excluding places we've stayed with family and friends it is the cleanest place we've stayed anywhere on the trail. It's a beautiful house with a full kitchen, bath, internet, TV...it's fantastic. And Jeff is a super nice guy. I'm surprised there were two beds available! And tomorrow morning he will give us a ride back to the trail. This was a great choice. Just the lift I needed about now.Owl and Soaring are inside the house in a bunk room. Roo and I are in a tent right outside the door. We've all had showers, a good meal and clean clothes. Tomorrow we have a short eight mile day planned so we won't head out until 9:30. Owl will be thrilled to get to sleep in. I'll still wake up at 5:00, my annoying internal clock. It will be nice to roll over and go back to sleep.It's amazing how when I start getting low God finds a way to bless me. He is very good.Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9