Date: 2014-07-13
From: Governor Clement Shelter

To: Hiker Hostel at the Yellow Deli via US 4
Miles today: 10.6

Had a great day in the town of Rutland today at the Hiker Hostel of the Yellow Deli - excellent food and very nice people made it a good place to be!Early start this morning trying to beat the rain into town. Right from camp I set out to tackle the biggest climb of the day up to the peak of Mt. Killington - boy was it a lot of up! Passed many people hiking south down the mountain and it was a little slippery and treacherous going uphill - looks like it rained a little up there last night. Taking the climb nice and slow so I don't get all tuckered out first thing in the morning!When I got to the top I could not enjoy the view from the mountain because it was socked in with clouds and fog - didn't even take the side trail near Cooper Lodge Shelter to the summit. I did rest at the shelter though and talked with Sharp Knife and Hiccup - they had camped at the summit and enjoyed a nice sunset from the mountain! I covered up my pack and pressed on down the mountain.Ran into G Walker heading down the trail to the Inn at the Long Trail - he was ready to get a beer and watch the soccer game! A nice older fellow and it was a brief chat as we both kept moving on. About one mile or so past the shelter near the peak the sun started poking out and the fog lifted off the trail - of course it opens up the viewpoint after I leave! Looks like I will just have to come back and see the view another time...Down to the road I did not run into many people and I enjoyed the time in my thoughts while also focusing on not slipping - it worked out for the most part but I did bang my knee on a stump once (which hurt)! I checked in with Big Dawg at home to see how he was doing and got the forecast - maybe rain in the afternoon. I was definitely going to beat the rain in!At US 4 I took a break and called Big Dawg trying to figure out how to get into town. After I got the number for a trail angel named Tom who gives very inexpensive rides into town a lady with a young cat on a leash (you read that correctly - a cat) offered to take me into town and I accepted! Not often do you get to ride with a cat in the car out here on the trail! Her name was Tiffani and she was from NJ out for a couple days hiking and driving the trail - she is a wandering soul and likes to get out and around. Working as a bartender she only works three days a week so she has time to do it! The cat's name was Winter and she is 9 months old and loves riding in the car and sits on Tiffani's shoulders just like my sister's cats do! It was great talking to her on the way into town and we found our way to the hostel.After an exchange of photos and farewell I found myself inside the deli - what a nice place! A very open atmosphere with small tables and friendly servers and industrious workers - good food too! While waiting for the hostel owner I drank some tea and a smoothie - both were delicious! I met David (pronounced Daveed) and then Aysh who owns the hostel and both were very friendly and helpful. David actually lived in Arcadia, Indiana (very close to my hometown in Indiana!) and even attended Hamilton Heights his freshman year before moving around - such a small world it is crazy! Hostel setup is very nice - men's and women's bunkrooms with showers in each and a communal area with couches and a fridge and laundry. The laundry is half-priced ($2 instead of $4) and hikers get 15% off in the deli - what a deal! The whole hostel is very neat and clean and a great place to stay! I showered and met Crocs and Jolly (related to Tatiana - he was with her at Green Mountain House). Jolly was heading back home today via train and he just finished his section with Tatiana. Crocs came in from VT 103 and seemed like a nice fellow.Lunch in the deli was delicious and I went to Walmart to get a prescription before the game started - but it took so long I nearly missed it! The pharmacy needed more information from the doctor and it took a lot of time for them to get it into their system and out to me - but I have it now! Picked up some more food and repackaged the extra food in a box to be mailed home before walking to a nearby pub to watch the game in extra time - what a goal by Germany! Ran into Shivers and Kristo in the pub as well and watched the game with them.After that I settled in here, walked around a little then ate at Kong's Chinese Fusion for dinner and then read a book most of the evening - nice to relax! Some bikers came into the hostel late but overall an uneventful night after the game.Long day tomorrow but ready to go - NH is so close now! Also Big Dawg is doing better and keeping an eye on his status.