I've now been in Vermont for five days. I spent some time in North Dorset at Emerald Lake State Park and climbed Mt. Tabor (28,900 feet). The view was incredible. The foliage was just beginning to change, it was bright and clear, and I was surrounded by multicolored mountains surrounding a thin white line where people were finding their way among them.
At Baker's peak (atop Mt. Tabor) I met "Little Ox". That's his "trail name". He has walked all but 600 miles of the appalachian trail, and this fall is going to complete his quest. We talked for about an hour. I have some pictures and will load them next time I update this page. Little Ox sees the trail as a metaphor for life. "You have your good days and your bad ones, but you just keep going" He lives in San Raphael, California and keeps himself "outside the system" by being in a situation that does not require him to pay room or board. He used to teach, and that "spoiled" him for "real work". (my apologies to any teachers reading this page). A very interesting character. I will contact him again at a later date. Maybe when I hit California later in this trip.
I've also been to Manchester, Woodstock, Quichee (sp?), and spent last night on Camel's hump. I awakened this morning to see two inches of snow on the ground. Fortunately, I had decided to sleep in my SUV because the temperature was dropping rapidly even though the sky was clear and full of stars when I retired. Dumb luck. I would still be trying to find a place to dry out the tent.
Tonight I am at the University of Vermont updating this site and will be traveling in a definitely SOUTHERN direction from here. I may stay a couple of days in Burlington since my Daughter, Caroline, whose 23rd Birthday is today (10/4) is coming here on Thursday for her alumni reunion.
I plan to put more pictures on this site, but was not sure I would get to it tonight, so I am not prepared to do so yet. I hope to get this done in the next few days. Keep stopping by.
