Date: 2008-08-27
From: Caughnawaga Tent Site

To: Bennington, VT
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

We slept so much better last night. I always sleep better in our tent than in a shelter anyway, but it's also much warmer on a cold night. The campsite was quiet as well, just our tent and Soaring's. We woke ready to take on the day.Our plan was to head into Bennington to take a zero for Owl's birthday tomorrow, but first there were 15 miles to walk. Most of it was the same rocky, rootiness from the day before. Yesterday toward the end of the day I tripped and caught myself with my hands just before I went face first into a rock. This afternoon I did it again, but failed to catch myself. I ended up smashing my glasses pretty good. After that I walked slower, watching my step more carefully. I don't know why I'm such a klutz all of the sudden.The forest wasn't particularly beautiful in this area. There's a lot of undergrowth, few saplings and the older trees don't look very healthy. Just not a pretty woods. We stuck closely to the trail throughout the day and kept Roo on leash all day. This area is known for it's porcupine population and that's one encounter we did not want to have.At the top of the last hill we pulled out our phone to call for a ride into town. My Thru Hiker books listed two options, a shuttle bus and a taxi. I called the shuttle first. The lady said they could not pick up the dog, but she would be happy to arrange for a pick up for the rest of us. Huh? ..and just leave the dog on the trail? She said "Yeah, I understand, I've always said if there's a flood, if I can't take my dog I won't go." Yeah, right...thanks anyway. I called the taxi. At first they wouldn't pick up a dog either, but then agreed to. They wouldn't however agree to a prearranged pickup time. They said we had to call from the trail head, and yes, I would have a cell connection there. But no, there was no cell service at the trail head.There we stood on Vt. 9, five miles out of Bennington with no idea how we were to get into town. We've had no luck with hitching rides into town. Other hikers tell us it's not a big deal. I don't know if it's because there are three of us or if it's the dog. I decided to start walking with Roo in hopes that I would get cell service closer into town. I also figured Soaring and Owl had a better chance at a ride without Roo and me.We started walking and praying that God would send us a trail angel. I'm not sure how far we got, maybe half a mile when I heard a car pulling off the road behind us. I looked back and it's an SUV with Soaring and Owl inside. Yes! Thank You, Lord. A very nice man named Bryan picked us up and drove us into Bennington. We didn't even know where our hotel was but he drove us around until we located it. He also left us his calling card in case there is anything else he can do for us. Amazing.We're staying at the Knotty Pine Motel because it was the only place I could find that would allow dogs. And their website said they were in walking distance from everything we would need. We found that's only true if we are willing to walk two miles. The idea of a zero day is NOT to walk. Also they do not allow dogs to be left in the rooms alone. Putting it all together...Roo can't be in the room alone, the taxi doesn't allow dogs and it's a two mile one way walk just to the Post Office. The logistics of this zero are going to be rough. That really wasn't what I had in mind for Owl's birthday.We got checked in and showered. The nearest laundry is almost a mile away, that will wait until tomorrow. We passed a KFC on the way in and Owl asked for honey BBQ wings. So Soaring and I went for a walk to get food while Owl stayed with Roo. As we walked we passed an Enterprise Rental Car place. Soaring commented that it might be worth it to split a rental car for the day. I had my doubts of the expense, but when we got back to the room we called just to check. By the time we split the cost it wasn't too bad. We'll pick it up tomorrow morning and be able to get our errands done quickly and easily. And that should give us plenty of time for birthday celebrations.Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9