Date: 2010-08-13
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Manchester, VT
Miles today: 10.6

(I have updated from 8/11/10 for those that like to read in chronological order)If you notice you can see that I walked only 10.6 miles today and you're probably like, "Oh no, I hope One Life is OK!" Well, boys and girls, I am doing great. I woke up and was out the door by 730am. I was up to my old 3 mile an hour pace. My destination? I was heading to Manchester, VT where I wanted to stay at the Green Mountain House Hostel. I had heard many good things about it and it was only 10.6 miles away. Once again, the trail was awesome. I totally love Vermont. Of course its muddy especially after a rain storm but its still great. I think VT is very beautiful. I got to Rt 11 (10.6 miles from where I stayed) at 11am. That was really good timing for me. I could have easily gone another 10 miles but Manchvegas, VT was my destination today. Anywho, I threw out my thumb. Did you know that out of all the times I have hitch hiked that this was my first time doing it alone? Yes, like totally (in a valley girl accent). All of the other times I was with someone else and they were usually girls. When you get a chance you should pick up the best selling book called "The Art of Hitch Hiking" by One Life. In that awesome book the author, One Life, talks about when at all possible to hitch hike with females. When one or more females are present the passing motorist is more apt to pick you up. There, I bet you didn't know that. Pick yourself up a copy...its on newstands everywhere.ANYWAYS, I didn't hitch hike for long...maybe two minutes. I was picked up by a couple about my age and the girl had thru hiked in '01....so they understood my need for a ride. I got to town and hung out with Stilts. I had heard that Red Lobstah, Serenitina, and London Joe were all here. I had hiked with them before and it was nice to meet up with familar faces. I also got a chance to eat at Friendly's. I love that place and I love that ice cream. I'll probably stop by tomorrow morning on my way out of town too. So we all met up and were at the Green Mountain House Hostel by 3pm. It is an awesome hostel. Its in its 3rd year of existence and its one of the best ones on the trail. Totally like like awesome like (valley girl accent again).Now that I am on a computer I can type more than I can when I'm blogging from my tent on my Blackberry. With that being said I just wanted to let everyone know that I am back to my hiking self. I have absolutely, no if, ands, or buts about it, have loved Vermont. Its just what I needed to be revitalized. I feel waaaaaay more energetic and I am doing way more miles. I enjoy hiking instead of dreading it. I really believe three things are responsible for this. One, I believe that by not taking Ibuprofen in the quantity I was that I am no longer poluting my liver and thus I am not feeling lousy. Two, the weather is cooler and I am not over working myself. Some people do just fine in hot weather...I do not. Third and most importantly, I believe the power of prayer has worked. I pray all day every day but I think this was something I prayed most about. I really believe that God has always and will forever always be helping me. This was an amazing transformation that I hope is not just temporary but I believe will be for the long run. Thank you, God.Thats it for today's blog. I am doing great, loving life, and I am excited to see what the rest of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine have to offer. Forever in His word.