Date: 2015-08-01
From: North Woodstock NH

To: Maine, State #14 (and last).
Miles today: 148.7

The continuing saga:Thursday Day 103. 7/23/15.Jeff from the Green Mountain House hostel got us back to the trail by 8:30,and I was on my way to the Greenwald Shelter 24.6 miles away - a good day despite the late start. Started raining just as soon as I got my tent upFriday Day 104. 7/24/15.Done hiking by 10:00am!?! Yup. Got off the trail in North Clarendon and walked down the road a little ways to Qu's Restaurant for an amazing breakfast - one of the beast on the trail so far! got a free ride into Rutland eight miles away from a trail angel, Tom. I thought i would have a drop box waiting for me at the PO in Killington, up the road, but, nope it wasn't there. Frustration!! Stayed the night at the Yellow Deli Hostel, run by an the Twelve Tribes community in that town. They are a religious community that live communally and run various businesses as a group.Saturday Day 105. 7/25/15.Today passed "500 miles left" to hike mark.Passed 1700 miles hiked so far.Hiked form North Clarendon VT. to famous Killington VT. - The highest mountain in VT at 4000 ft. and the best ski resort in that state, I think.Hiked 17.4 miles.Sunday Day 106. 7/26/15.Took the area bus back down into Rutland last night for a Zero day at the Yellow Deli Hostel. Trent, my oldest son, who is looking after things at home for me called to tell me that the main water source coming into my basement burst and I had 4 feet of water in my basement. I can't believe that now he has that to deal with as well.Man oh man!!Monday Day 107. 7/27/15.Killington to Wintturi Shelter for 19.9 miles, after catching the bus back up to the trailhead about 8:15am.Tuesday Day 108. 7/28/15.Pushed fairly hard today for 20.6 miles, so that tommorrow will be a easy 5 or 6 down into Hanover NH - home of the Ivy League college Dartmouth.Trail Magic twice today, which always makes my day brighter.Wednesday Day 109. 7/29/15.Did the short 6 miles into Hanover NH this morning, crossing the Conn. river. Most of these miles were a road walk, as the AT goes right thru the towns of Norwich VT, then Hanover NH.Got showered and did laundry at the community center in Hanover - a very hiker friendly town. Bought my fifth, and hopefully last pair of hiking boots(Keen's this time)while in town.Thursday Day 110. 7/30/15.Hiked out of Hanover today, with hopes of doing big miles, but pulled up at 17.5 because of heavy rain. Seems like I always get heavy rain the first day of wearing new boots. Water was squishing out of them as I arrived at Bill Ackerly house, beside the trail on Grafton pike. Bill is a sweet 80 year old widower who loves hikers to stop by his place. He gave us treats, then when the rain continued invited a few of us to sleep in his screened in back porch.Friday Day 111. 7/31/15.Hiked all day today from 6:30am to 6:30pm for 25.9 miles thru much mud and roots. Pushed over two peaks of 4000 feet on this beautiful day.Saturday Day 112. 8/1/15.Experienced the frustration of hiking in the rough terrain of the Whites where much of the AT is not marked. Got lost. Went down a wrong trail for miles. Eventually figured it out. I'm zeroing tommorrow in North Woodstock, and first thing i'm going to do is buy a good map of the unmarked White Mountains!!!Keep Charging Anyway BULL