Man, there was a reason the Lord created the world and then took a day off…He knew we would need to rest! Today was a great day to do just that while it continued to pour down rain.
After sleeping in and eating a lion share of Lucky Charms, I played the piano for awhile at the hostel and mainly just laid around in my PJs (courtesy of Jeff and Duffie!).
I did eventually work up the energy to venture into town where I was able to replace my shoes and the food bag that the mice destroyed the other night (that bear box was not mouse proof). I also spent quite awhile wandering through the local bookstore while it rained and rained.
This afternoon, the rest of my hiking crew rolled into town and many of them ended up at Green Mountain House with me. Instead of going out to pay resort prices for food, I decided to use my time to cook for the whole hostel. Ten hikers and I feasted on a double portion of my mom’s spaghetti casserole!
If I’m being honest, I would like to stay here another day, but I suppose I’ll have to move on as Jeff has a full house tomorrow. There is an 80% chance of rain-bring it on!
There was too much rain to pull my phone out for pictures the rest of the day, but I walked for 8 more hours, fell in some mud, ate some snacks, and rode in the back of a pickup truck in pouring rain down to Manchester Center.
The best part is Duffie, the guy helping the owner Jeff run the place, has been in contact with the chaplaincy program since Wildcat hiked in 2015. He was watching my tracks (via Facebook) get closer and closer to Manchester until I surprised him by showing up at his door! To Alan, Wildcat, and others-Duffie says hi and to keep sending chaplains his way!
The rest of the day was a very intimate encounter with Vermud. After the rain yesterday, the trail was a literal mud pit/creek. My shoes were already wet, so I freely sloshed through it but they got sucked into the slop a few times.
Double Dip, is you’re reading this, I found your favorite creek to fall in.
Tomorrow there is a 90% chance of thunderstorms all day…gonna be a wild ride, but going into town tomorrow!
But indeed the hope was false and the rain continued to bucket down. When I reached a shelter 1.5 miles later and realized there was still a spot available, the temptation was too great and I called it a day early. Here’s what it looked like just outside the shelter:
And here’s what it looks like inside a shelter when it’s pouring rain…we say a shelter that sleeps 8 in good weather sleeps 15 when it’s raining. 
However damp I felt, being crammed in with so many other people did provide for some excellent conversation.
Next it was off to the grocery store for a resupply where I ran into about 7 of my hiking friends. Pastor Dan and I were able to bless them with a big box of fudgesicles and ice cream.
When it was time to hike out, Bill from Backpacker magazine joined me so he can get some insight into the ministry for a story he’s going to write about the chaplaincy program.
The final excitement of the day was crossing the border and heading into Vermont. Here the AT joins the Long Trail so I’m camping with NOBOs, SOBOs, and Long Trailers every night for the next 100 miles.
After fueling up on Dunkin on the way out of Cheshire, it was up and over Mt. Greylock-the highest point in Massachusetts and my first peak over 3000 ft on my hike. There are many more to come! 
There were a lot of hangliders riding the wind at the summit and a restaurant where I pounded a grilled cheese and fries.
This visit couldn’t have come at a better time as they were gracious enough to take me on a phone-fixing saga to Albany, NY. Five hours, a Chipotle burrito, Starbucks frappuccino, and Sonic milkshake later, my phone has been resurrected! Thankfully, the kiddos enjoyed their extra screen time at the Apple Store.
I can’t tell you how refreshed I feel by being around this family. I haven’t really spoken with another believer in over a month and that can run my soul weary pretty quickly. But how sweet it is to be with God’s family again!
Just a few miles later, we came to an open mountaintop with more blueberries than I’ve ever seen in my life. I spent an hour living up to my name.
I forgot to take pictures the rest of the day, but I passed through a town with even more trailside snacks put out by locals on their porches. Whoever you are, hikers sure do appreciate you!
The true highlight of the day, however, was arriving early to Upper Goose Pond Cabin. This place is simply amazing–an AMC cabin free to thru hikers with bunks for 14 and access to a beautiful pond.
As fun as the lake was, the true highlight of the cabin were the caretakers’ kids. They stole the show and are all little monkeys…right down to the 10 month old who is already walking. 
Hiking through the woods is great, but this trail really is all about the people you get to meet along the way.
I also ran across some midday trail magic for a sugar and caffeine boost-jet fuel for hikers.
It’s pretty easy to tell that we’ve made it into New England with all of the ponds and bogs we’ve been passing…I think everyone is ready for some views and they are back!
I didn’t catch a picture, but there were about 10-12 other thru hikers and some section hikers at the shelter and I’m glad for some new faces to know and serve. We’re all headed to one of the AT’s most beloved shelters tomorrow. Stay tuned for more adventures!
By 5:30 am, the sun was beginning to provide some light as we summited Race Mtn-my first time climbing over 2,000 ft on my thru hike and my first real climb at that.
The Mid-Atlantic region of the AT has been a great spot to gain my trail legs with its overall gentle terrain (with the exception of the rocks), but my heart longs for the mountains. They are back, they are back!
I got to eat tacos tonight, but am sad to report that it just isn’t the same as it is in the South…we’re getting too far away from Mexico.