Date: 2019-09-23
From: Intersection with the Sherburne Pass Trail 1705.0

To: Rt. 4, 1703.0
Miles today: 2.0

It was really warm last nite, I basically used my sleeping bag as a blanket and was still plenty warm that way. The weather has been unusually warm in Vermont the past several days with highs around 80. Hey, I¢m not complaining: it has been clear with no rain. I think back to the terrible weather I had last year when starting my hike at Springer Mt. in February. First lots of rain, then about 6 weeks of cold/snow. I¢ll take 80 and clear any day.Am taking a NERO today in Rutland. I packed up and left my campsite at around 0630 this morning, getting back on the AT via 0.5 miles on the Sherburne Trail, then from there 2.0 miles to Rt. 4. The AT took me past Maine Junction, where the AT joins the Long Trail (LT). From here south the AT and LT share the same path. Maine Junction is also where the AT changes heading from generally westerly to generally southerly. I made it to Rt. 4 around 0745, my intent being on catching the 0821 bus down into Rutland. Well when I got to Rt. 4 there was a section hiker there by the name of Bob, along with his very well behaved German Shepherd. Bob was in the process of hitchhiking, when along came a shuttle driver who offered to give the 3 of us (Bob, his dog and Opa) a ride into Rutland for $10 total. Good deal, Bob and I split the fare and I arrived at my destination (Yellow Deli Hostel) in short order. The YD hostel is run by a spiritual community, donation based, but the folks running it are not pushy about religion/spirituality at all - they are very friendly and helpful. My impression is that this is a very well run place, neat and clean, they know how to cater to hikers. I like it. There were a few other hikers here when I arrived, some AT section hikers, some LT hikers. They were in various stages of still checking out when I arrived, as I got here so early. Two of the folks that were here at the YD were Red Beard and Milkshake, who were at The Lookout with me two nites ago. At The Lookout I left behind my crocs when packing up, not realizing it until I was well down the trail several miles from The Lookout. No big deal I thought, they were not essential gear and were kinda a nuisance dangling from my pack. Well Milkshake and Red Beard noticed I left them behind, and carried them to the YD with the hopes of running into me. How thoughtful of them! Once again the trail provides. The YD also runs a cafe/restaurant, a very charming place if I do say so myself. I stopped in mid-afternoon enjoying a mug of herbal tea, listening to the ¢Norwegian Wood¢ style of music that was playing and people watching to pass the time. The YD was quite busy for a mid-afternoon on a Monday! I also walked around town just a bit and did some resupply shopping at a nearby Walmart (my maildrop was here at the YD so I didn¢t need much), but otherwise I had myself a lazy day.I have 90 miles to go till my next planned maildrop/resupply. Once again my foodbag heading out will be stuffed to the brim, I actually gave away some stuff to other hikers here at the hostel and put what I couldn¢t give away in the hiker box. Pizza and wings for me for dinner! I¢m looking forward to getting back on the trail tomorrow, although the weather forecast calls for rain (much needed). I am safe, warm and dry in the hostel tonite. Goodnite.