Date: 2009-07-30
From: Inn at Long Trail

To: Inn at Long Trail
Miles today: 0.0

All of the other hikers planned on zeroing at the Inn and going on a brewery tour in Rutland. I was unsure about what to do. I never really want to take zeroes, but my ankle was more swollen than ever. I ate my French toast breakfast alone. I did not feel welcomed by this big group (although, individually, I think they are fine)- especially as Mississippi was sitting with them. I felt very sad and alone. I got more ice for my ankle and went up to my room to use all of the time I had until I was to check out. As I brought my pack outside, Kog was coming to the door! I was so happy to see him! I had heard that he stayed at the shelter before US 4 and I thought he would just continue on the AT. I was so glad he planned on staying the night! After I got everything out of my room, I sat on the couch in the living room and iced my ankle again while I looked at a photographic book about the AT. Kog sat down at the piano and started playing. The music that he played was so beautiful that I could not hold back tears. I felt the emotion and the sadness and beauty so powerfully. Later, I asked him what it was that he was playing and he told me it was something that he had written himself. Amazing!    When I got hungry, I went into the bar to get a sandwich. Then I got dessert and coffee. I e-mailed a couple of people and as I sat there, a man came over to me and asked if I was thru-hiking. ¢You just got your lunch paid for!¢What?      He wanted to know if I was hiking the Long Trail or the AT. I couldn¢t believe what was happening! His trailname was Bushwack and his wife was Bramble. They had hiked the entire AT as well as other trails and they offered to take me anywhere if I needed anything. They were on their way to Burlington. I decided to check if the rolfer Brian had suggested to me in Burlington had any open appointments. He only had one for the following day, so I decided not to try for that. I wanted to get moving. Bushwack gave me the link for their trail journal for me to look up anything that might help me in my hike. This act of kindness meant so much to me, especially at that time when I was struggling with my sprained ankle and the other problems around me. I joined Kog in the sunroom where he was watching TV and chatted with him for a bit before the other hikers started to return from town. Then, I made a couple of phone calls. I re-connected with Bound, who I had not seen since Traildays and she helped to lift my spirits. It was great to talk with her again. I decided to spend another night and got my same room back again.    I hung out with a few of the guys as they played a game of darts and tried to enjoy the moment with them. Then I got to work on labeling my pictures as I got some dinner and another dessert. The rest of the hikers had gathered at the back of the room and after awhile, Ewok came over to me to ask if I was okay. He knew I wasn¢t comfortable around Mississippi, but he didn¢t want me to feel excluded. I told him I was okay, and went over to join them for a bit. However, the only place to sit was next to Mississippi! I sat down anyway. He was not congenial, however, and I decided it would be more comfortable to relax in my room and do a little writing.