Date: 2018-07-23
From: Tent Site near William Douglas Shelter

To: Manchester Center Vermont (Green Mountain Hostel)
Miles today: 5.8

It rained heavily last night and was raining when we woke up this morning. We kind of lingered until we heard a break in the rain and then we quickly got up and had breakfast and packed up.As we were leaving it started to sprinkle so we put our rain gear and pack covers on. Of course as always, shortly down the trail it stopped and we got too hot and took them off. And then of course, like always, it took this as a sign to begin sprinkling and then rain, and then pour. It was a slow build up so we didn't take the time to stop to put our rain gear back on, so by the time we realized we should it was too late and we were already sopping wet.We headed for the next shelter which was about 3 miles from town to try to take a quick break. When we got there we saw Knotty Boy and Sourpatch standing on the porch contemplating whether they should leave or not. They decided they were going to get wet so they put their packs on and headed out. We decided to wait it out a little bit longer as it was still raining really heavy.Soon after they left another hiker came in. His name was Red Socks. He wears red socks and is hiking Vermont and then the Mohawk Trail to Boston. We chatted with him for a while then we decided we better get going too. It varied between just raining and really pouring the last 3 miles into town, so the trail was quickly becoming a stream. There were several streams to cross on the way into town, and with the rain they became quite swollen. A couple of them were very intimidating as we crossed them. You could hear them raging some distance away, and when you got up to them the rocks that are usually exposed to help you get across were now under water. Honey Badger and Smiles, who had passed us earlier on the trail were just getting into a car as we arrived at Vermont 11 & 30. Getting into the same vehicle were Ed & Elaine, who said they had waited 30 minutes already for a hitch. We quickly put our thumbs out, and after several minutes a nice woman named Martha stopped to give us a ride. She said she had told herself that she would stop at least once and pick up hikers who needed a ride and we were her first hikers. We were thankful to get a fairly quick hitch as we were soaking wet and looking forward to getting to town and eventually the hostel.Once we arrived in Manchester Center, Martha dropped us at the Price Chopper. Sourpatch, Knotty Boy, Ed, Elaine, Honey Badger, and Smiles and a few other hikers were all under the awning of the Price Chopper. We chatted for a while, and told Sourpatch and Knotty Boy it would probably be the last time we saw them as they were heading back out on the trail. Since we were hungry we headed to the Pizza shop for a late lunch. Mary took the time to take off her wet socks and shoes in the entry and put on her crocs. We ordered beer and pizza and found a table. It took forever for the beer and pizza to finally make its way to our table, but once it arrived it was really good.With a full belly we made our way to the outfitter to see if they had any Brooks shoes for Mary, which they didn't. We did pick up a fuel canister and a new bag for our water filter as our bag had recently sprung a leak. Elaine was trying on hiking shoes as she really needed a new pair. They didn't have the ones she wanted, but she eventually found a pair she thought would work. Went back to the Price Chopper to get our resupply and then we called the hostel for a ride. Duffy arrived shortly, and we were headed for the hostel. Once at the hostel Duffy showed us our room and we quickly got our showers and then started our laundry. They have clothes you can borrow so you can wash all your clothes, which is really nice. We attempted to dry our tent, fly and other items on the line, but it continued to rain off and on. The hostel has $1 pints of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, so of course we each got a pint of Phish Food which we thoroughly enjoyed. Later we cooked a pizza we had picked up at Price Chopper and enjoyed a free soda provided by the hostel.Also at the hostel tonight are Songbird, Plodalong, Grandma Shortie, Crazy Brit, D2, Old Scout and a couple other hikers as well. I talked with Plodalong for quite awhile as he is also a retired firefighter from MA. We enjoyed chatting with Grandma Shortie and Crazy Brit and D2 as well. We checked with Jeff and Duffy about a possible slackpack south tomorrow back to the hostel, and we were able to secure another night, but we will be in the overflow area tomorrow night ("the Dawg House"). Off to bed as our shuttle leaves at 6:00 am.