Date: 2014-09-11
From: Rt 11/30/ Manchester Center

To: Stratton shelter
Miles today: 10.7

September 11--Rt 11/30 to Stratton Shelter--10.7 milesWith a 90% chance of rain in the forecast, Siva, Clark, Petie, and I left the comfort of Sutton's Place and headed out for breakfast. The deli was just opening as we rushed in from the rain that began as we walked over. The staff was wonderful and welcomed us in with our wet packs. We ordered up a huge breakfast and sat around chatting. Petie looked content as he hunkered down under an outside table. (In case I haven't told you, Petie is Clark's dog who is also hiking the AT. )My stack of steaming blueberry pancakes arrived with a small pitcher of grade A Vermont maple syrup and loads of butter. It was no problem to finish them off. Trail angel David arrived at 8:30, and we piled into his pickup. As we sorb past the 9/11 monument in town, we took a moment to commemorate the date.David dropped us off where he had picked us up and we hugged goodbye. The dark skies threatened rain all day, and the wind blew the trees so that multicolored leaves carpeted the forest floor. It was a day where watching the ground was a pleasure. The reds and golds of fall hid in puddles and stream beds. Mist swirled through the forest, giving a very eerie feeling. I wore full rain gear and soon felt as though I had a sauna going on in my suit. I was sweating so much that the inside of my rain jacket was wetter than the outside. I finally gave up and rigged my jacket over my pack so I could access the hood if the rain came down. I was already wet, so I didn't care about my shirt, but I wanted to keep my hair dry. I've hiked in wet weather before and discovered that my hair will not dry by bedtime if it gets wet on rainy days. We were pretty lucky as the heavy rain never came, just a few sprinkles. I finally took off my rain pants as I could not stand the confinement or discomfort. Slowly, my freshly washed pants became caked with mud near the ankles. Such is life on the trail--muddy ankles. As we neared Stratton Pond, I felt as though all my energy had drained from me. My left leg ached a deep and painful hurt. It was not until I reached the shelter that I realized that all the sweating I had done in my sauna suit caused my electrolytes to drop. You'd think I'd learn!The wind whipped up waves on Stratton Pond and it did not look inviting for a swim. I continued to the shelter instead. I'm sorry now because I can feel the salty stickiness as I lay here in my sleeping bag. Before I left for this hike, my friend, Chris Hawkins, sent me his hiking schedule. He and a buddy were thru hiking the Long Trail, and his schedule placed him at Stratton Pond the same night as us. I wondered if I would see Chris as I approached the shelter. Sure enough, there he was, sitting on a bench in the porch area. I called out to him as I neared he shelter. He jumped up and happily greeted me. We spent most of the evening talking about our various adventures and sharing pictures. It's great fun that this has worked out. The wind is howling outside he full shelter and the snoring has begun inside. It is hiker midnight at the end of a very nice day. Life is good!