Monday, August 19, 2013

Great Barington, MA to Manchester Center, VT

That's my thumb.  After a rain these guys are out and about all over the trail.  My former record was eight.  My current record?  Well I stopped counting around 160!!!  I just love these Efts.  They're so damn cute.
I'm loving New England!  This is what I came to see!  It really is just a pond though.
Walking between the hills of MA.
Upper goose pond cabin.  Amazing refuge!  Free to hikers.  Chiquita and I got caught in a thunderstorm at night trying to get here.  That was a first for me.  It would've been a bit scary solo.  So glad she was behind me. Her headlamp is way brighter than mine!
When we got here there wasn't any bunks left but plenty of floor space.  There was even a fire inside to dry my clothes and warm my bones!
Up stairs and down.
I ended up with a bunk.  A bottom bunk even!!!  
I didn't think I'd ever see some of these people again.  Pays off to bust ass for a while!  Now I'm north of all of them.  Except Fat Man Walking.  He's catchable though.  Not that it's a race though.
A little paddle in the morning with Rambles.
Upper Goose Pond. 
Walking into Dalton.
Tom Lavarti's back yard.  I did 22 miles to get here.  Free spot to camp and he lets hikers use the bathroom.  I didn't expect it but there was coffee and doughnuts waiting for us in the morning!!!
Going up Mt Graylock.  
Highest point in MA 3491 ft!!!   First time I was over 3000 ft in about 1000 miles.  
It was cold up there so I did some arm exercises!
Mt Greylock pinnacle. 
A strawberry flower.
Oh I got so pissed here!  I went down Greylock at 6:30 headed to the next shelter only 3.3 miles downhill.  It should've been an hour and a half hike tops.  Well around 8:15. I started to think I was lost. And I was. Kinda.  Good thing they had and emergency shelter on the mountain.  Built by skiers in the '30s.
One more state down!  The Long Trail nod the AT run as one for about a hundred miles or so.
        On m guide, this is a pond.
I wanted to take home but it weighed too much. Also, another hiker could've gotten lost without it!!!
I looooooove Vermont!  Very muddy but this was a great section.
A fire town on top of some mountain.
Above the trees for a change!  And looking good in shades!!!
Wicked cool beaver dam!
Touching up the faded blazes!  These guys were a riot!
Fire tower on Stratton Mt.
Stratton Mt is we're Benton Mackaye conceived the idea of the AT.
I think it was a pretty good idea.
Lots of boardwalks around here.  I love them!  Less slippery mud.
Green Mountain Inn. aka Paradise!
I busted my ass getting here!  24 miles and change!  
Free food and sodas in the fridge!!!
    A real bed!
  That's mine with all my clean clothes and new food!
    Showers!!!!!!!!!!!
  A tv with cable and movies!  All for $25!!
Oh and the kicker?!? A free pint of Ben and Jerry's!  


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