August 5, 2018
- Start: Inn at the Long Trail
- End: Governor Clement Shelter mile 176.7
- Total: 10.6 miles
Today wasn’t a long day, but it was a full day. I stayed at the Inn right up until the 11 a.m. checkout. I ate breakfast, rewashed clothes, and took another shower.
As I walked down Rt. 4 a guy in a pickup truck pulled over to ask if I needed a ride. When I explained how close I was to the trail he offered to save me a few steps. In the very short distance I received an invitation to the Rainbow gathering later this month. I believe he said the 20th in or near Bennington, VT.
Once I got hiking again, I spent quite some time reminiscing and remembering hiking with Chip through this area on my AT hike. It is far easier than I remember it being before.
When I got to Cooper Lodge a LT section hiker was there. She clearly read the excitement I felt. I explained to her that I had skied Killington many times, so this mountain is very special to me. I also told her about the lodge up top. She decided to join me for a beer. We scampered up the rocks to the summit.
Sitting at the bar I drank a hard cider and ordered Ahi Tuna Tacos and truffle fries. I was so happy. Anne, my new friend, and I chatted away. We also got to know our bartender Katie and Twinkle a NOBO AT thru hiker.
By the end of our conversations Katie had decided to do a drive by of my house as she is looking to buy one in my area, Anne had paid my bill while I went to the bathroom, and all of our glasses were filled with a bottle of Rose that would have had to been dumped down the drain if we were there. The chef also came out with a ziploc bag of celery and some local Vermont peanut butter. What a day of little blessings.
Something drove me forward though. So, after returning to Cooper Lodge I decided it was time to move on. I hiked to Governor Clement Shelter. Here there were a mix of hikers; northbound, southbound, AT and LT. The SOBO AT hiker goes by the name Moose. He bestowed even more trail magic on me when he gave me a honeybun and leukotape. I am so grateful to be able to tape my blisters with something that should stay in place. With any luck it will allow me to hike 20 miles a day and finish in 4-5 days. That would put me pretty close to my original goal.