Date: 2019-06-30
From: Congdon shelter

To: Rte 9 Bennington, VT
Miles today: 4.3

The good news is that most of the folks at camp cleared out really early this morning.  I lazed around so that I wouldn¢t get to the road too much before 11.  My friends Greg (Tree Trunk) and MaryAnn ( Manula) were doing trail magic starting then and I wanted to see them.I did pack up early because it still had not rained but it felt like it would and I wanted to keep stuff as dry as possible.  Then I had a leisurely breakfast.I moved up to the shelter for a second cup of coffee.  Peach and Gopher were still around so I chatted with them.  There was also a family of hikers (parents and 2 older teens).  It did start to rain but we all were in the shelter. I left about 8 just after Peach and Gopher.  I took my time, walking pretty slow.  Even so, I did catch up to them.  Gopher had gotten some cell service so was making a call.We were definitely in a cloud this morning.  On and off light rain, no views....just foggy and misty.At Harmon Hill I was told by the motel guy that I would have service and sure enough I did.  I was still early so I called Jim to check in.  The. I called the motel and told him to pick me up at noon.  That would give me a little time with Greg and MaryAnn.The hike down from there was STEEP!  Wow.  Very unexpected.  The rocks were wet so I really took my time.  Even so, I still arrived early (10:45) to the parking area.  Peach and Gopher were just leaving there.  I told them to stay for trail magic but they de used to push on.I sat down and waited.  The 2 teens showed up a short while later and then my friends Arecibo.  It was so good to see them!MaryAnn has brought homemade strawberry jam squares (and lots of drinks, watermelon and other goodies). The squares were outrageous!Of course it did start to rain then but they had an easy up so up that went.  The parents and Swiss Miss arrived as well as some other hikers.  Then it started to downpour and we were all crammed under that little pop up!Of course that was just when my shuttle arrived.  Off I went to the motel.  Took a shower (and washed about 1/2 pound of mud off me!  They had loaner clothes so I donned some and turned my laundry in to be washed.Another downpour!  I w as seriously happy to have decided not to continue hiking today!  When it cleared up, I walked downtown to Madison brew pub an d had a fantastic black bean burger with hummus and other veggies and sweet potato fries and a Day Trippa IPA.  I was stuffed to the gills!  Then I wandered down to Walgreens for an ankle brace ( my right ankle has been twingy and really aches at night so I¢m going to try some support).  Then to Dollar General for resupply and back to the motel.The motel folks put on a free hiker dinner (all meat...burgers and dogs) and soda and watermelon.  I was still stuffed so I just had watermelon and root beer.  I sat and chatted with Giddyup and Fearless ( another retired couple that I met a couple of days ago.  They are hiking this northern portion of the AT and just started a few days ago.) Michelle was also there.  I had passed her during the day yesterday and she had been at the campsite last night.  This is her first backpacking trip.Finally I threw out my old shoe inserts and put the new ones in the hiker box.  I had not been wearing them at all.  I also left 1/2 jar of peanut butter (I refuse to carry a whole pound of the stuff.  I just added PB to the little bit of almond butter I had left.  That jar is a 13 oz jar (thanks again to Paula for bringing that the other day!)My food bag weighs a ton!  And it¢s not all that interesting.  Oh well.. it¢ll get me through to Rutland I hope!