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Journal
| About Downunda | Trail
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25th July 2002 From:
Campsite The trail threw up a few tough climbs today; however, I can say that I am really enjoying the trail in Vermont. The trail is well maintained, there's no noise other than that generated in the forest, and lots of birdcalls I haven't heard before, new wildflowers I haven't seen before, and the countryside is just beautiful. I had my morning snack at 10:00 A.M. and was starving hungry immediately afterwards. The problem is I'm not getting enough to eat and I can't carry more, as it's too heavy. Around 12:30 P.M., I hit VT 103 - the guidebook listed a grocery and a restaurant a mile down the road so I decided to head there. As it turned out, a trail maintenance volunteer came into the car park the same time as I came off the trail. He kindly took me to The Whistle Stop Restaurant where we had lunch. I had a Veggie-Burger followed by Berry Pie Ice Cream. I was still hungry so I went next door and bought a large ice cream sundae. That did the trick - my hunger was satisfied. He then dropped me back at the trail just as 'The Long Ranger' arrived. So I said my farewell and the trail maintainer headed off down the highway again with 'The Long Ranger' on board heading for the restaurant. By the way, The Whistle Stop Restaurant is right on the highway and used to be a trail station (Clarendon, I presume). I expect the railway line ran where the highway is now. Back on the trail, it was hard. The temperature had reached 80 degrees Fahrenheit and I had to climb a steep hill with an even heavier backpack. About three miles in I found a trail angel in the act of putting sodas in the stream at an AT crossing - his name is 'House Repairman'. I took a soda and thanked him, then took his photo. He said they put sodas in the spot everyday (during the thru-hiker season, I presume). I'm tenting out at this shelter spot. Here with me are about eight teenagers from a holiday camp who have come over to the AT to hike and do trail maintenance for a week. I hardly saw any other hikers today. The only other Northbounder I saw was 'The Lone Ranger', plus a few Southbound day hikers. It's weird! That's all for today, goodnight all.
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