Samwise Hikes the Appalachian Trail! - Trail Journal -
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August 13, Manchester Center, VT - mile 1632.1

Well, this town was not a scheduled stop for me, on my original "fantasy schedule" (as I now call it) but I'm certainly enjoying myself so far. I pushed 21 miles to get in tonight, having planned to stop at 18, but once I got there, I couldn't resist going on. There must be something magnetic about the noise of traffic on the highway below that leads to town. My head was filled with visions of food, shower & bed & I couldn't resist! Well, to be honest, I could have, I just didn't want to. I spent all afternoon debating with myself the pros & cons of staying at the shelter virus going on, & in the end, I decided I had so many errands to run tomorrow, I'd be better off getting in. I've decided to try find a new lighter pack & I'm also going to look for a new pair or boots or shoes that are lighter than this monster pair I'm wearing. Those tasks alone will surely take me half the day!

Today I passed an extraordinary landmark - Stratton Mountain. It's the birthplace of the AT, where Benton Mackaye said he first thought about a trail connecting the Appalachians all down the East Coast. There's a magnificent firetower at the summit, so I climbed up & looked around at all the nearby peaks, including Greylock, which I climbed last week. A little bit farther down the trail. I saw my first moose prints & pellets - I can't wait to see one for real!

Tonight I've got a room in the most magnificent house I believe I've ever seen. There are 3 stories, plus an attic, & I'm guessing at lest 20 or 30 rooms, 10 of which must be bathrooms. I'm too tired to go into detail, but it is incredible to be here!