August 10- 2017-Back on the Trail

After 5 years of dreaming of the AT and relaxing on the couch-Cisco and my Sweety returned to the AT today where we left off in 2012-Bennington Vermont.  Alot of things happen over 5 years-my Mother passed away at 95, my father in law, a WW2 vet of B-17s passed away, but happiness also comes, as we had our first grandchild. Life does go on-but these New England rocks go on forever!

Our goal is New Hampshire-Hanover actually. Driving to the start up point, I missed the parking lot but eagle eye Cisco who always saves me from disaster, saw our error and got us to the right place...to climb up Glastonbury Mtn. This is not an easy start with no training other than walking the flat terrain of Santa Monica and Boston. So off we go with 25 pound packs- not bad- but for an out of shape 66 year old it was very tough from the beginning! I wanted each day to be a slack pack day-we walk 10 miles or less with only water and a sandwich- and my Sweety follows us in the car. But it is not to be for much of Vermont, unfortunately. It's a very rural and rugged area with not enough strategically placed road crossings. Alas! We have to start off with a 10 mile and 12.5 mile day with pack over very rough ground- much harder than I expected! In fact it was some of the toughest hiking I have done, made more challenging by being in no shape! The hike up Glastonbury is very steep. In my old days I could average overall about 2 miles an hour-but now was going no more than 1 mile an hour on the uphills.
We started at 11:20 in the morning and didn't reach our shelter area for camping until 7:10! 8 hours to cover a little less than 10 miles! I was pooped!
For some reason I was expecting some magical North Woods forest- lots of evergreens and spectacular lookouts. Nope- just the same view and forest I've seen over and over again for the past 1600 miles. I got to hike in the lead and very slowly, with much pausing to rest, inched my way forward throughout the day. Cisco is very patient with his Pops-I 'm wanting to zoom on as a very fit 33 year old. But he stayed with me. We did see several thru hikers- flying by at fast speeds. The are the sports cars of the AT, and I am my old Ford Truck. The Trail in this area is mostly rocks and roots and muddy bogs. Exhausting to get through. Much harder than I ever expected. Anyway, we made camp before dark, but ate our dinner, in the dark, put up our bear bag, and got in  in our tents to sleep. But during the night Cisco's air mattress went flat and it got surprisingly cold. So we both shivered in August! Not something we do in Georgia.
And I broke my pole in boggy Trail.


August 11
We got up early, for me at least, around 7:00, had our coffee, a little cereal with powdered milk and packed up and left around 8:40 am. We climbed to the top of Glastonbury Mtn where there is an abandoned fire tower. We climbed to the top and had great views of the mountains all around. This was a treat! We had 12.5 mile day ahead of us, which is long for me, and out of shape and it was indeed grueling! Climbing up boulders that were supposed to be trails, negotiating bogs that were supposed to be trails and generally slogging our way along. I swear the miles in Vermont are longer than other places! Also we saw our first wildlife today-a tiny orange salamander inching his way up the Trail. We had hardly heard any birds since coming here. Maybe they went north for the summer.
We did pass through a few fir forests and they are very nice. But as the day wore on and the bogs became more numerous my patience and energy were wearing out. I thought we would never get to the end of the day! I was worn out!
I don't think I have ever been this exhausted! O for a packless day out here! Anyway my Sweety met us at the end around 6:45 and had beer in the car for us! Heavenly. We love her so much!
Then a motel and rest!
Fell twice. Once almost in front of high schoolers.

August 12:
Oh my!! I was so worn out from our 22 miles in 2 days I was literally sick this morning. No hiking for me. Couldn't even eat my breakfast at the motel. No appetite, like I was sea sick or coming down with something. Felt terrible. Cisco said I shouldn't hike today. After some thinking I went back to bed and slept for hours. Another day in this motel, but it's nice and Cisco and my Sweety got to spend the day getting provisions for us and allowed us to regroup, which we needed. May not make it to Hanover this trip. Will try again tomorrow. My calves really hurt and can barely walk. Hopefully it will improve by morning. Got my appetite back and had a spaghetti dinner, always a favorite with me. I am hoping 66 is not to old to continue this trek. I guess I will find out in the days to come if I can continue huffing and puffing.

August 13

We went to bed early last night in the motel. I slept pretty well but was worried. My calves were so tight I could hardly walk on Saturday. Would I be able to hike today? And all of a sudden I got a lower back pain. I am concerned. They have a delicious breakfast here at the motel, but I was nervous, as I often am
When going from a motel to the Trail. Don't know why. I ate half my blueberry pancakes and drank barely any coffee. Not like me. We got sandwiches at the local market and my Sweety drove us to the trailhead, so we could climb up Mt. Stratton. It was a cool morning and no rain. It had poured the night before as well as the night before that, so we were very lucky to be in a cozy motel. Cisco had suggested to my Sweety that she hike up part way with us. Our total hike to the top at about 3.5 miles. She did hike with us and it was fun! And I got to use my new hiking poles she bought me. My calves were sore, but I was able to hike! Hurray! We said our goodbyes about 2 miles up she went back to the car and we continued on. Soon after the forest turned in the forest I expected for Vermont. Fir trees throughout, soft hiking floor and the smell of Christmas everywhere. After not too long a hike we were at the top and there was a fire tower there to climb with breath taking views of the entire area. And it was windy there on top above the trees. I would not want to be there in the winter!
We ate our lunch and then hiked down the other side of the mountain, about three miles to one of the prettiest scenes: Stratton Pond, actually a big lake and a real lake too! Cisco had been through here before and scouted around until he could find us a campsite with water view. He found us a place to camp and we pitched ours tents and had our traditional afternoon tea.
The camp ranger came by and said we really couldn't camp here, but let it go as we were already set up. We paid $5 per person to camp. Then ate dinner and watched the sunset over the lake. In all our hiking days about 140-we rarely see a sunset. This was very nice! Now to bed and hopes that my calves will feel even better tomorrow.

August 14

10.5 miles-Stratton pond to Manchester
Fell down

August 15-

5.5 miles-Up and down Bromley With Sweety and day pack. Easy day. Staying in Tollway Inn.

August 16-

Peru Peak
Baker Peak rocks
Vanessa hiked to meet us

August 17
White rock cliffs
Hiked Down to eat lunch on cliffs
Vanessa hiked way up
Made cairns
Staying in Rutland

August 18
Zero day-drove to Irasburg-ancestral home of my Sweety
Staying in Rutland where we enjoyed the state fair!

August 19
Hiked over Bear Mountain
Very hard -2 straight ups
Knee hurt in the downs
Slipped and fell on the slippery rock
Hiked separately
Man drove by and warned of bears
Staying in Rutland
Contemplating Monday pick up
Climbing Killington tomorrow

August 20

Climbed Killington
Little Killington
Tough climb with steep hike up high on edge of the world
Little harder than big
Very tough .2 mile crawl to the top
Ate lunch in crevice very windy
Lots of people on top lots of questions
Crawl down harder
Long hike to bottom
Longest hike of the trip 13+ miles
Down to Inn at Long Trail
Great place-perfect for hikers and not to be missed. Lose the miles, gain a great experience. Great food and lodging as envisioned by the AT founder.
From here on Terra Incognito for Cisco

Lots of people

August 21
Long day hiking the continual green tunnel of Vermont.


August 22
Ups and downs
13.4 miles


August 23
Rock walls
Old roads
Where are we?
Close to Hanover
12.4 miles
Flat frog-he wasn't hoppy any more

August 24
On to Hanover. Finally made our hiking goal of this trip! We are now in New Hampshhire hiking in front of Dartmouth College!
Hope to return soon to continue the adventure!