Date: 2003-09-03
From: The Lookout

To: VT 14, White River
Miles today: 18.8

I slept pretty well last night...we all slept past the alarm. We were going to get up and watch the sunrise from the observation deck, but it was foggy out, so we went back to sleep. The crew that I had hiked in with (dubbed "The Summer of Swill") was planning on doing 28+ miles into Hanover...I told them to have fun...and was getting a start at 7:00. I said goodbye from my snuggly sleeping bag on the floor, thinking I might be able to get in a few more winks. I couldn't, though, so got my food bag and had breakfast in bag. Snot Rocket, Chief and Circus were also still around. We were all going to try for the Happy Hill shelter, which was a little over 20 miles away. It would mean an 8ish mile day into Hanover the following day. We all started out at about 8:30, and they soon left me in the dust. We stopped at the first shelter, where I was surprised to find Little Bear and Deacon Blues...they usually get going earlier than 9:30. They were also going to be trying f!or Happy Hill. I was pretty much on my own for the rest of the day. It was a beautiful one for hiking...sunny, breezy and not too hot...really nice, mellow terrain, too. I met a SOBO (I think his name was One Off...sorry if I'm wrong...it's been awhile, and I'm writing this in retrospect) and chatted for a little while. He told me that there were cucumbers at the next road crossing. I bid him good hiking and went in search of fresh veggies. The hike today included a good number of meadow crossings, which I really enjoy. I mean, I love the woods, don't get me wrong, but it's nice to mix it up every now and again. The section right before the road crossing was a lovely meadow that the Trail meandered through. At the base, right near a sign post, was a bag of cukes. I found a nice medium sized one, washed it off and ate it, peel and all...it was so fabu! I supplemented it with some other snack food, then continued hiking. Shortly, I arrived at Thistle Hill shelter,! where a famous privy is located. It used to be at Cloudland shelter,but due to the temporary closing of that shelter, they moved it to this one (Cloudland Shelter is now open, again). It is a six-sided gazebo-style privy, and I must say, I had a difficult time figuring out which side was the door. I went back up to the shelter to write in the register, and it started to rain...nothing major, just some light stuff, so I packed up and headed out again. On the trail leading into the shelter, I met Chief, Snot Rocket, Bucky and Circus going in. They had decided to not get wet, and stay there for the night. I was tempted to join them, but it would mean having to do a 15 mile day into Hanover...I didn't want to do that. I figured I could make it to the next big road crossing, where there were people who would let you put a tent up in their yard. As I started off, I was thinking that the rain wasn't so bad...it kind of softened the edges of everything, and made the mountains look very pretty. About 3 miles and and hour and a half later, whe!n it was pouring in good shape and I was nowhere near the road yet and slipping and sliding in the mud, I remembered that rain is evil and should always be cursed. I don't know where my head was before. I finally made it to the road, sodden mess that I was, and went to the store that was supposed to be open till 8. I went in at a minute or two past 7, which was when the sign said they closed. The woman there let me get some drinks and a sandwich, and let me know where I could stay for the night. I went to the sign guy's place, and he let me set up in his shed, which was great, as it was still raining. I was the only one there, so I had my own private, dry bunkhouse...I could barely stay awake to type up my two-days-behind journal entry. Asleep by 9:00...dreams of home dancing in my head...