August 15 - Hanover, NH (Day 149 – milepoint 1717.6)

Cosmo and I covered the 10 miles into Hanover in three hours, which, for me, is pretty fast with a pack. We arrived before any restaurant would serve us lunch so we had second breakfast and relaxed for a bit.

Hanover is the home of Dartmouth College and there are about four student-fraternity houses on campus that allow hikers to crash in their basements. We walked over to the Tabard House, a co-ed fraternity, where we were given a tour and made to feel welcome.

I wandered around town for the rest of the day. Bookstore. Met with the manager at the Ben and Jerry’s shop and set up a 20% discount for everybody tomorrow. He recommended at first that we buy a couple of “party-sized” ice creams like the
“Vermonster,” which feeds about 30 people. “A good way to get a bunch of ice cream to a bunch of people affordably.” he said.

I then explained to him that the average thru-hiker can put away a half-gallon of ice cream in one sitting (equivalent to 4 pints). He said, “Oh, the Vermonster would only feed 5 or 6 of you. Maybe we should go with the straight discount.” I agreed. Ben and Jerry’s has been very good to thru-hikers.

Lots of folks started arriving into town, some hitching from as far as 40 miles to make sure they don’t miss tomorrow’s bonanza. All you can eat lasagna for dinner at an Italian restaurant pretty much put me down for the count.

Aquaholic

August 14 - West Hartford, VT (Day 148 – milepoint 1707.7)

Clear skies in the morning offered phenomenal, panoramic views from on top of the cabin. A nice way to start the day.

Lots of ascending and descending today. Vermont has reacquainted us with the physical challenge of backpacking. Tight, sore muscles have returned. Cosmo and I have ended up in a little park in West Hartford. It looks like rain and neither of us is carrying a tent, so he’s under a picnic table and I’ve rigged up some cover with my tarp and trekking poles.

Into Hanover tomorrow to start getting things ready for our thru-hiker party celebrating the 20th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s abduction, which we’ve been planning and promoting in trail registers since Great Barrington, Mass.

Hard to believe we’ll be in New Hampshire tomorrow. Feels like Mt. Katahdin might be a real destination…

Aquaholic

August 13 - The View Point (Day 147 – milepoint 1678.6)

Didn’t leave the Inn until after noon. It is not easy to leave a warm, dry, comfortable place surrounded by good folks and atmosphere to go out alone into the cold, pouring rain. But, “The secret to a long (hike) is knowing when it’s time to go.”

It rained all day so I hiked naked for most of it because, why not?

Only passed a couple of other hikers and they didn’t seem too awfully offended. I used my bandana as a loin cloth when I felt it was necessary. Redressed for the last couple of miles and was very tired when I arrived here at “The View Point,” a private cabin we were told was ok to stay in. I opened the door to the cabin to see Cosmo sprawled out on a king-sized lawn chair eating his dinner. Classic.

Very comfy cabin with a fireplace and a deck on top of the roof offering supposedly excellent views. Hopefully the fog will lift in the morning.

Aquaholic

August 12 - Sherburne Pass – Killington, VT (Day 146 – milepoint 1673.5)

Maggie Mae offered to take our packs to Sherburne Pass. I hadn’t slack-packed in a while and I realized today that I’m in really good shape. At the first road crossing, Silence and I walked a half mile down the road to a quaint little restaurant for breakfast.

We averaged about 3 miles per hour for the rest of the day, which included a big 7-mile climb up Killington Peak at over 4000 feet of elevation. Outstanding panoramic views from the summit. Vermont has been truly amazing. The terrain grows more intense but the rewards are complimenting the effort.

Finished the day at The Inn at Long Trail at Sherburne Pass feeling fantastic after 20 miles. Walked into the Inn, an Irish Pub/restaurant/lodge and found Achilles at the bar, relaxing after his “rough” 5 mile day. I joined him for some Guinness Stout and Long Trail Ale.

Apple Jack, Water Girl, and I decided to share a room together. We’re also joined at the Inn by some Long Trail thru-hikers. Not surprisingly, good folks.

Aquaholic

August 11 – Minerva Hinchey Shelter (Day 145 – milepoint 1653.9)

Little Rock Pond: beautiful glacial pond with 30-foot rock cliffs on the far side. Cosmo and I were the first to arrive and we peer-pressured each other into taking the plunge from the cliffs. Exhilarating!

Huff, Puff, and Water Girl showed up and swam across to join us on the rocks. You think you’re in good shape until you have to swim a few hundred yards. Man-0-Man…

Walked the rest of the day with WaterGirl. The presence and company of a woman is a rare pleasure and welcome therapy. We arrived at the shelter with intent to move a few more miles but were easily convinced to stay and avoid the coming rain.

Also here are Cosmo, Huff and Puff , Baltimore Jack, Apple Jack, Wayward Traveller, Silence, and Ridge Runner, Maggie Mae. Maggie Mae mentioned a small stone cabin that was nearby and open to thru- hikers. Cosmo and I grabbed our packs and walked over to check it out. We stayed. Very cool little “shack.” Three stone walls, one glass, and a wooden roof. A beautiful view of a nearby pond and the soft mountains surrounding us. Dry, comfy, and out of the rain.

Aquaholic

August 10 - Baker Peak (Day 144 – milepoint 1637.1)

Spent the morning and afternoon relaxing a bit before leaving town around 3 p.m. Felt very sluggish but made it to Baker Peak right before dark. Looking forward to the view on the morning.

Joined by Baltimore Jack and a few new faces: 12 Bears, Big Wahoo, and Grandpa. Whiskey is making rounds.

Aquaholic

August 9 - Manchester Center, VT (Day 143 – milepoint 1624.8)

Didn’t plan to take the day off, it just happened. My 28th zero-mile day. Laundry, phone, ice cream, nap.

Quote of the day from Cosmo, “I will never celebrate my birthday again. ”

Aquaholic

August 7 - Story Spring Shelter (Day 141 – milepoint 1604.2)

Beautiful day. Beautiful views. Excellent company. Just another day on the AT.

Aquaholic

August 6 – Under a powerline in Vermont (Day 140 – milepoint 1587.5)

Crossed into Vermont this morning and joined the Long Trail. Nice, clear, cool day. Took a long lunch next to a beautiful pond and enjoyed dinner by a nice medium-sized stream.

I now lay on a rock under a power line watching the sun set, drinking wine.

Cosmo, Land Shark, and Paka Bear hitched into nearby Bennington, VT today, bought two boxes of wine – Bravo Sangria and Chianti – and carried it up the mountain to share with us in celebration of Cosmo’s birthday. Also here are Water Girl, Chewy, Chicken Man, Small World, Jarvis, Huff, and Puff.

Two boxes of wine (10 liters) is equal to about 13 bottles. I admit that I could not down my 1.2 bottle-share, but all the wine was consumed and all were happy.

Said Cosmo just a few minutes ago, “You haven’t really had Sangria, until you’ve had it in a box!” Cosmo knows his wine.

Aquaholic