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Day 54 - I've been discovered (24/8/2016)

Trout seemed a little off this morning. We walked together a bit, but eventually he got ahead and I didn't see him again all day. I hope he's feeling better.

I was only planning around 14-16 miles today, since I needed to pop into Manchester Centre for some resupply and mail. That meant a lot more resting than yesterday, which was good. During one rest stop, a group of young hikers came through and one asked me if he could take my portrait! I saw no reason to say no, and then before I knew it he was taking a light measurement off my face and had whipped out a medium format camera! I think I'm part of an art project. I did have some pretty awed kids at both being a thru-hiker, and then knowing about the light meter and medium format camera.

If only my off-trail friends were so easily impressed!

If I'd been smarter, I'd have asked him to send me a copy and then taken a picture of him. Sadly, I was too tired to think of it at the time.

Today was mostly about recovery from yesterday.

Start: Big Branch
End: 1 mile past Bromley Shelter
Distance: 15.9 miles

Day 53 - Miles to go before I sleep. Many, many miles. (23/8/2016)

I found Trout!!

We've been within a few hours (or sometimes less than that) of each other for ages, it seems, but we could never quite find ourselves in the same space. After an early start this morning, I found him at the next shelter! He had 17 miles planned today, and I figure I'd stick with him. Turns out that if I did that, I'd do my first 20 mile day.

It was great to catch up with him. Apparently a few people he's mentioned me to have exclaimed "Is that the apple guy?!" One day I'll blog about why, but for tonight, I need to sleep off a 20 miler.

Start: 501 mile mark or so
End: Big Branch Shelter
Distance: 20.6 miles

Day 52 - Tribes by the Dozen (22/8/2016)

I think I might have forgotten to mention that I saw my first bear the other day. A young one, running away (as they usually are).

Today was a good day. I wanted to hit the library before heading out on the trail, so I found myself with 45 minutes to kill. This meant I could chat with the barista at the Yellow Deli, and find out a bit more about the community. I can't say that I learned all that much, really, except that they are quite fond of Yeshua (Jesus), and aren't all that Judaism inspired after all. He did pique my curiosity a bit though, so I'll try to visit the other Yellow Delis as I travel the trail and learn more.

I'm back to chasing miles today. I did about 13 in 6 hours, including hitting the 500 mile mark! (That would be more impressive if I wasn't supposed to be at 744.) Still, setting mileage targets and hitting them seems to be what I need right now. I'll get back to being "in the moment" when I'm more caught up.

Start: US 4
End: around the 501 mile mark
Distance: 12.6 miles

Day 51 - The Red Carpet State (21/8/2016)

This morning I woke up determined to cover the 12 miles to Rutland in a reasonable amount of time. I set out with the goal of keeping 2 miles/hr including any rest time. It turns out that Vermont made this easy. Vermont is essentially a long, soft, red carpet.

The Red Carpet State

My only real delay was for some trail magic (hamburgers)!

Tonight I'm staying at the Yellow Deli & Hiker Hostel. Yellow Delis are run by the 12 Tribes, which is a religious community (read commune/cult). I'd hoped to spend more time finding out about them, but when you have to resupply and you've already lost a few days in Hanover, it's hard to fit some anthropology into your day. I did, however, have dinner at the deli, and I can say with certainty that they make amazing sandwiches and the fruit salad was impressive.

Also, despite being a commune, they are very welcoming and inclusive. Here's the label on the deli bathroom doors (note that they do segregate men and women in the hostel, which is unusual):

 And this card was in my "welcome basket" on my bed:

And everything hostel-related is by donation or work-for-stay.

So whatever else you might hear about them, they are genuine in their desire to support people.

Start: mile 475
End: US 4, near Killington
Distance: 13.4 miles

Day 50 - People of the half century (20/8/2016)

I've been having real motivational problems lately. THis morning I couldn't get myself started until 9AM after making myself some coffee (which I haven't done yet on the trail - thanks Evergreen). Then I made it 15 mins before pausing for a long conversation with a NOBO.

The good thing about those conversations is that they usually inspire me to start walking again. Of course if you need an hour of conversation for every hour of walking, you don't get far. But I hit the trail reenergized and made it to a shelter for water. Then lunch. Then a nap. When I got started again it was 2PM and I'd walked around 3 miles, with little interest in doing more.

I forced myself 2 miles and ran into Passport. Passport had done 900 miles of the PCT earlier this year and was doing a section of the AT now. We had similar world and hiking philosophies and so another inspiring chat ensued. By the time I left there, it was 4PM and I'd done 5 miles. I managed 5 more before camping down.

I need to find a way to keep walking without taking 4 hours of rest every day.

Start: VT 12 + 1 mile
End: around the 475 mile mark
Distance: 10.5 miles

Day 49 - Zzzzzz (19/8/2016)

I'm exhausted today. Captain Stash lives on a train line near a road. Had some great magic and convos. Here's a bullet list:

• Linda and the Trail Magic House: Two blocks from Stash's is a large blue barn with an AT symbol an free breakfast.
• Evergreen: a great guy I met during a break who gave me coffee crystals since he had a resupply coming.
• Puddle: a U Waterloo alumnus!
• Honey Bear and Sunny: Two hikers slacking themselves for a bit. They had a veggie burger, onion rings and wine for me.

There was a field of cows that if I wasn't so tired, would make for a funny story. Another day perhaps.

Start: Stash and Cathy's

End: VT 12 + 1 mile

Distance: 13.8 miles