Date: 2009-08-19
From: VT 4 (Rutland, VT)

To: Stealth Campsite off Trail (VT)
Miles today: 15.6

Today was one of the hardest days both mentally and physically that Berry and I have had on the trail. We got off to a late start- but it was good because we picked up a package at the Rutland Post Office which contained some encouragement and an mp3 player! We caught the 9:15am bus out to the trailhead- or so we thought. The bus didn't drop us off at the same location as yesterday, but actually a mile further down the road. We figured out where we were and started making our way to the trailhead. I was getting a little anxious about time and had to remind myself to relax, be a man, deal with it thankfully and take care of Berry. I did this by praying and taking deep breaths as we walked down a busy hwy.Well, we actually walked right past the trailhead another half mile or so before realizing that we had gone too far. We knew it was further down the road from the trailhead yesterday, but we didn't know how far or where. By this time the sun was blazing hot and it was past 10:00am. We found the trailhead after 10:30am and began the ascent up. Of course, our start was difficult too- going straight up and through a large patch of overgrown nettle (which we haven't seen in a long time). Man! That stuff is irritating. Once we got in the woods things were going better. We knew today would be a slow day and we planned to just take it easy and be consistent. Around lunch time the trail took us right through a nice public camping area. We had only gone 3 miles but it was a great place to eat , so that's what we did. We both were feeling a little down about the mileage and what was ahead of us. Again, we took time to pray and look at some scripture. After about 15 minutes we heard voices and it was Big Fish, Firecracker and Otter. They sat with us for a rest and then we headed out together with the plan of doing a 15 mile day. There was one more really good thing before the nightmare began. Right at the beginning of our biggest climb someone left a cooler of COLD soda's on the trail! We took our last good break, having only gone 4 something miles, before beginning the climbs. Quimby Mt. was our first major climb and it set a tone for a very rigorous day or non- stop, steep up and downs. Going up Quimby we could feel our heartbeat through our head- we had to stop twice during the ascent to lay down and get a breather. All day it was so exhausting. What makes days like this even more difficult is the fact that there is no reward of a view for the climbs that you do- and we climbed A LOT! So no views today... just roots and rocks and green thicket, but that's the A.T. It's what makes this experience what it is. The difficulty tests one's character. Without the hard times we wouldn't appreciate the good aspects of the trail- you need both. I suppose life is the same way. And besides, if it were easy, everyone would finish, no one would quit. Scores of people would do the trail with ease and without complaint, only re-living the euphoria of nature's bliss. But it isn't that way out here and I'm glad for it! Berry and I, and many others for that matter, have overcome some major odds. We're not boasting - and we can only testify that through the protection and provision of our Lord, Jesus, we have made it this far. The five of us made it 10 miles and took a long break at a shelter around 5:30pm. We were beat and needed to go another 5 miles. We filled up our water bottles and headed out. It was more of the same but this time it seemed worse. Up and down, up and down. Suddenly, the sky darkened and we got hit with a burst of rain and thunder. Thankfully, I had planned for this very moment last week when I purchased two lightweight umbrellas at the Rite Aid in Williamstown, MA for $10. It saved the day... we were dry as a bone and the storm passed in 20 minutes. We said goodbye to Big Fish and Firecracker at the bottom of our last ascent. We were all very tired. I asked Berry if she would like to camp there too, but she was unclear as to whether we should stay or go. I made the call and we moved on to tackle one more big climb and have it over with for tomorrow. Later, this decision would serve to help me understand the mind of a woman, and in particular, Berry's needs. The climb was extremely hard for so late in the evening. During the last half of the climb I scanned for a camp spot. We heard the infamous bird call-a sign between Otter and me to find each other. He had been waiting for us for 30 minutes at the top! We weren't much for conversation and the sun had already winked behind the mountains. We moved far enough to find a flat spot among the fern and moss to pitch our tents, fix some food and turn in for the night. Two things worth mentioning that we were excited about today: We hit the 1700 mile point and we said goodbye to the Long Trail . It feels good to have the AT back again!