Vermont

"When in doubt the AT goes up"

The Appalachian trail and the Long Trail (270+ miles) conjoin for roughly a hundred miles which starts at the MA & VT boarder.

My trail log entry.

An example of a double decker shelter.

Bennington, VT

The day Woodchuck was gifted her license plate!!

The view from a lookout / firetower.

The lookout / firetowers shadow.

The dirt encrusted on my swollen hike foot (through the shoes and socks) from walking through Vermonts mud.

Mud, Mud, Mud.

The beginning of the lakes that would become increasing in New Hampshire and ten fold in Maine.

Manchester, VT

Manchester was a cute town, very 'New England', filled with neat shaped colored houses and buildings. The architecture not as plantation or federal looking as the south. Some establishments are even located right on the water. This was definitely more of a built up town then most towns we go through on the Appalachian trail, parts of it felt like walking through an outdoor mall.

The scar from a crazy bug bite I received in Vermont.

Dinner time.

Bromley Mountain.

Was stunning, the mountains were starting to get noticeable and consistently bigger. The view up top was 360 with a ski lift and chairs included in the panorama. Ended up eating dinner afterwards at a beaver dam.

Muddy yes, a decent amount of roots, yes, but Vermont was full of beautiful, soft terrain.

The infamous rock garden. I had seen photographs of other thru hikers in this exact same place but had no idea where it was located. I'm happy it happened that way, it was such a pleasant surprise to walk up on hundreds upon hundreds of cairns.

Rutland, VT

Stayed at the Yellow Deli with our new Belgium Long Trail hiker friend whom we dubbed Waffles. It was here that I ate my second (and very much appreciated) everything bagel, toast dark with chive cream smere and bacon. Also the location that Chill-aWhile rejoined hiking with us.