Date: 2016-07-06
From: West Hartford, VT

To: Velvet Rocks Shelter, NH
Miles today: 11.3

Day 7311.3 miles in 9.25 hours (includes multiple stops in Hanover)West Hartford, VT (1737.2) to Velvet Rocks Shelter, NH (1748.5)Weather: Sunny, 80s-90s, hot and humidDinner: Maple Turkey Burger at MollysHikers: Walking Mink, Tuna Roll, Solar, Snail, Spirit and Just Laurie at the shelter, half a dozen or more SOBOsI slept like crap last night not because of my accommodations, although the split in my cushion and attempts to keep my protective ground cloth from sliding away from my face didn't help, but because I was watching Forrest Gump with another hiker and writing after everyone else was asleep. My mind just wouldn't shut down. At some point, I must have finally fallen asleep, because I found myself waking up, with the protective sheet half off the ¢bed.¢Our host family had coffee going¢and breakfast! These folks are allowing hikers to stay on their property, rent a (exceptionally clean) porta-potty, offer cold drinks to hikers passing by, fix them breakfast and only ask for a donation to cover costs, if you feel so inclined. They¢ve done this for more than 1300 hikers to date. Except for the heat and humidity¢and the constant halo of deer flies¢today's hike was less challenging and more social. The trail started off with a climb, but it remained carpeted with pine needles. For added variety, it also passed through three towns, the largest being Hanover, New Hampshire. I entered my tenth state today. Laurie and I were treated to some trail magic as we emerged from the last woods of Vermont¢a cooler with watermelon, chocolate-chip banana bread and dog treats. Unfortunately I¢ve never developed a taste for watermelon, so I was left with a choice of the remaining two options. The trail follows roadways for almost three miles, crossing over the Connecticut River and the state border and past Dartmouth College before heading up (again!) behind the school¢s athletic fields. We took our first long break under a tree in park¢looking at clouds, calling home and in general acting like it was the kind of lazy summer afternoon that it really was ¢although this occurred after walking almost ten miles, the last being more than a mile in the bright sun. Next, we headed to Lou¢s Bakery for our free donut, ice tea and air conditioning. Our final stop on the lazy afternoon tour, before heading the last mile to the shelter, was for a late lunch/early dinner at Molly¢s. Actually, our final final stop was at a store to refill our water bottles just before heading up to the shelter. The guidebook wasn't clear about the availability of nearby water. I filled up all three of my bottles, then promptly forgot one at the store. Luckily we did bring water as it turns out the water source is located a half mile away after all. And I can easily replace the forgotten water bottle. My brand is Smart Water. A new bottle comes filled with free water. Tonight's shelter is situated within a picturesque pine woods amidst boulders and includes a fine assortment of fellow hikers, one of whom knows (of) me through only three degrees of separation. Walking Mink is the friend of ¢Gary,¢ who was in Arizona visiting another set of friends, who happen to live next door to my parents all winter. I had met Gary last March while visiting my parents. Small world indeed, Kevin Bacon.