Date: 2008-08-24
From: Wintturi Shelter

To: Stealth Site North of Podunk Rd.
Miles today: 17.8

We all broke camp in a leisurely fashion. It was a 3 mile walk down to Bee Charmers car where would strip down our packs to slack. Crossing a little foot bridge we came upon a note indicating there was a market down the road that specialized in pies. It was called the "On the Edge market" .Bee Charmer had lent her car to a couple she had met the day before on the trail. They were wanting to get to a B&B for the night. As promised they had returned the car on time.Bee Charmer drove Goose and myself to the market. They were not open despite what their hours indicated. We waited and soon a car pulled up full of fresh pies. The owners were a little late but we held the door open for them. I drank 2 cokes, some jerky and bought a pie for all of us for lunch. I treated Bee Charmer to a personal size pie, it was the least I could do. We all sat on the porch of this country market enjoying this Sunday morning treat. "Warren" came walking up and joined us.An hour had now passed, Bee Charmer dropped me back off at the trailhead, Our meet point for lunch was 6 miles ahead at Cloudland Rd. I had to get moving to be on time. I eventually caught up with Sprite & Freckles who had taken a break along the way.Bee Charmer was there waiting when we arrived, she had begun to walk up the trail to meet us as we were coming down. We found a shady spot along the quiet little back country road. I laid out my tyvek ground cloth to lay on. The young couple who had borrowed Bee Charmers car joined us. I had met them along the trail earlier but didn't know who they were. Their names were "Pie" & "Pickett". They were married last year and were doing a 1-1/2 week section. This is the compromise for Pie, now married and still wanting to do the AT.Reluctantly, they allowed Bee Charmer to talk them into Slack packing as well.It was only another 7.1 miles, what could it hurt? As it turned out over the next seven miles, there were exceptional romantic stealth sites with incredible views. Each time I passed one, I couldn't help but laugh at how pissed Pie & Pickett would probably be because they didn't have their gear and couldn't stop at any one of them.I read where there was a little store next to the river where I would be crossing. For some reason I had in my head that the store at Patriot Bridge on VT 14 was open until 4:30 on Sunday? Along the way I had visions of a deli sub, little debbie and a cold pop. All I had with me was tuna & water.I knew that I would never make it in time by walking. The terrain wasn't to bad and for some reason I decided I could run down hill? So I did.I couldn't believe that I wasn't experiencing excruciating pain from my knees? I still had to be careful but lo and behold I was hauling ass.Anywhere the the trail was near level or downhill I was running. I half expected to fall from a snapped knee but the thought of food over rode any common sense to slow down. I couldn't believe how fast I made it across the mountain, through the woods and to the road, crossing the bridge.The store was in my sights, I leaped up the stairs onto the porch grabbed the latch and was suddenly hit with the realization that the door was locked. I looked through the glass and confirmed what I didn't want to accept, they were closed. It was only 4:15, I have time to spare, so I thought?I sat and checked my companion, Damn, how did I misread that? They close at 2:00 on Sundays. On my way over here, I noticed that Bee Charmer had not arrived yet. I was in fact quite early. This spot did however happen to be a kayaker hot spot. I asked some people if there was another store nearby? Several miles in either direction was the answer. I didn't like that answer so I chose to walk over a mile to the east anyway looking for something, anything?Finally accepting defeat, I walked back toward the bridge and sat on some rocks. I always bring some extra food for times like this, just in case. Unfortunately all I had was tuna, but glad none the less that I had brought it. It would be 2 hours before Bee Charmer would arrive. A kayaker named John came and sat down on another rock and we began to talk. He had finished his kayaking for the day and was not in a big hurry to go home to Burlington just 1-1/2 hrs a way. He reminded me of Kramer on Seinfeld and that only added to the enjoyment of his company.Soon Pie & Pickett came walking up. The look on their faces said it all, especially when I told them that the store was closed and there was nothing else around. I mentioned the romantic spots I passed, they had seen them too but eventually they were able to laugh about it, kind of. Soon after another kayaker named John came up to talk with us. He had been kayaking and was nursing a broken finger while he waited for his ride to arrive. As it turned out, his cousin Steve was the previous canoer for 15 years at the Kennebec River Ferry in Maine. Taking a canoe across the Kennebec river is actually part of the AT. I would be crossing there in the near future. I learned he has turned it over to a new guy this year.John's ride arrived, before leaving he understood our plight and brought us back a pop and a beer. Pickett took the pop which left me the beer. Trail magic when you are down & out and least expect it, only on the AT. John could see the thanks in our faces. Just to see it again, he came back once more with another beer. It made all the difference.I forgot to mention while I was walking the road in search of food, a car stopped beside me. It was "Thinker" & "Keychain". I had not seen Thinker since Tinker Cliffs VA nearly 1000 miles ago. They were borrowing a car from a friend and were staying in Hanover New Hampshire, I would be there tomorrow. They confirmed the absence of any other establishments near by.Bee Charmer arrived just after Sprite & Freckles walked up. After getting their gear, we dropped Pie & Pickett off at the tree line of the trail just down the road. The 4 of us then headed west until we found a country market which was closing in 10 minutes.Once again, just in time. We selected entrees and had them heated up. We purchased other snacks then drove several miles back to the trail head. Since it was dark, we parked the car off the road, I ate my dinner right there at the road side, then climbed up the trail. I had gone about 400 meters uphill and made a bushwhack site near Pie & Pickett.What a day, It was hot and the 2 beers helped cool things down and made for a good sleep. Hopefully it won't rain tonight and tomorrow as I enter my 13th state of New Hampshire.