Date: 2006-07-12
From: Ardmore Inn - Woodstock, VT

To: Ardmore Inn - Woodstock, VT
Miles today: 0.0

What a crazy last few days it's been, full of highs and lows. I'll start with a high.Sun, 7/9 I hiked from Minerva Hinckley Shelter to the road crossing at US 4, a total of 20.1 miles. Mr. O'Brien, my former Boy Scout leader and a friend of the family, had offered months ago to treat me to dinner when I got near Killington, VT. The trail and US 4 meet just north of Killington, so we'd arranged (sort of) to meet there. However, the communication hadn't been the best, so I wasn't sure if he'd be there or not. But sure enough, when I walked out of the woods at US 4, there he was!He treated me like a king! Took me to the Long Trail Inn for dinner at their Irish Pub. I was glad he got their renowned Guinness Stew, as I couldn't due to the beef. I got a fabulous dish of alfredo primavera, which seemed a bit weird at an Irish pub.(Interrupted)After dinner, Mr. O'Brien...(Interrupted)As I was saying, after dinner, Mr. O'Brien took me back to his neck of the woods (Port Henry, NY some 75 miles away - yes, he is a saint for coming to get me), where we went to a pool party at his friends', Debbie and Dale's, house. He warned me that there'd be all "old" people there, but I've come to appreciate the company of my elders, so wasn't concerned. There were a great bunch and I had a blast.(Interrupted)I slumbered that night in the spare bed at Mr. O'Brien's place, then he drove me back to the trail the following morning, treating me to a breakfast along the way. The whole ordeal was certainly a nice diversion and I couldn't thank him enough.So that ends one of the high points of this entry. On to the lowest of the low. Starting the day I hiked to meet Mr. O'Brien, my stomach started churning and my bowels were getting a little riled up. By midday the following day (two days ago), I had full-blown diarrhea. I had planned to go 25 miles that day, but was lucky to eke out 19.3 to Wintturi Shelter. That was BY FAR the most trying day of hiking I've had yet. Because everything I was eating and drinking was going right through me, I had no energy and was constantly on the verge of dehydration. I knew I needed to get off the trail and to the nearest town to recuperate. Unfortunately, by the time the diarrhea had really set in, I was more than 10 miles in either direction from a promising road crossing. Luckily, Buttercup and Grizzly pushed me forward and helped me make it the next 10 miles to Wintturi, putting me 3.7 miles from Vt 12. Once at the shelter I instantly had the sympathy of all present, a chorus of "ooo"s going up the moment I spilled the beans (no pun intended). Doogie even had some Imodium he handed off to me - thanks Doogie!I was SO hungry that night, but knew anything I ate would give me the worst stomach pains before exploding forth. As a result, I just drank a few liters of gatorade before attempting sleep. C-Ram let loose a chuckle every time I stepped over him that night on my way to the privvy haha!I was not thrilled about having to go into Woodstock, VT from VT 12 to recuperate. I'm on a tight schedule to Maine and REALLY can't afford the hold-up. Secondly, all the guide books shy away from Woodstock due to its expensive, tourist nature. Fortunately though, Grizzly, Buttercup and Doogie decided to come into town with me, which would cheapen the per person hotel cost. While on our way to Vt 12, we met a volunteer with the Green Mountain Club who walked out to the road with us, drove us into town, and advised we check out the Ardmore Inn. So begins another high point in this story. We rolled up on the Ardmore Inn, which turned out to be an extremely fancy Bed & Breakfast run by a couple from California named Charlotte and Cary. I gave them my sob story and they welcomed us with open arms and started showing us to our rooms. Before the whole thing went too far to turn back, we inquired about price, fearing the worst. Charlotte, in a very nonchalant manner, said, "oh, don't worry, it's free for you guys," before turning to go get our beds made up. I guess her goodwill revealed her sympathy for me, but still we were all taken aback. We all stood there with our jaws dropped, staring at one another for a good moment, bewildered by our good fortune.And it wouldn't stop there. Charlotte and Cary proceeded to make us lunch and put out platters of cookies and pitches of juice. They also allowed us to clean our laundry. What a great couple!We all walked down to the outfitters a bit later, where the owner immediately offered us Odwalla juices on the house! To top that, he gave me bug repellent for free! Needless to say, this town has treated me well.Although my stomach and intestines have not, which brings me back to another low point. My diarrhea progressively got worse yesterday, even though I was taking my Imodium religiously. I was on the toilet all last night, spattering the porcelain and shattering my hopes of hitting the trail today. In fact, I've been to the bathroom DOZENS of times today. If you were wondering why this entry has been "Interrupted" a few times, now you know.Lucky for me, Charlotte and Cary have told me I can stay until I'm better. I have until Friday to recuperate before I'd have to move out of my bedroom to make way for registered guests, but even then I can stay on the back porch or in the office. Once again, these are truly phenomenal people!(Interrupted)They even made me a dinner tonight that would be easy on my stomach. Such amazing people!Although they've made it clear I can stay, I still don't want to overstay my welcome. If tonight is at all like last night, tomorrow I'll go to the Health Center across the street to figure out what's wrong. This whole thing has been quite a hassle, but I've been so fortunate to have the assistance of the best trail angels I've yet encountered along the AT. Charlotte and Cary, thanks a ton!1710.1 miles down, 464.9 to go!Bear Can