Day 98 Rutland

Today we hiked 22 miles after 11AM and stopped for fantastic at a lookout platform on top of a barn. 


I slept very well in a real bed last night. It was great feeling clean and warm but not too warm. We woke up around 7 and got breakfast that the inn served. I had a pepper and mushroom omelette, OJ, hot chocolate, 3 chocolate chip pancakes, home fries, an English muffin, and 2 pieces of bacon. All of this cost 6$ (but most of it was included because we stayed with the inn). 


We took a bus that runs between Killington and Rutland into a grocery store in Rutland and grabbed a resupply. 




On the way back we didn’t want to wait 45 minutes for the next bus so we shuttled back to the trail with an awesome shuttle driver named Tom. He recommended we go 22 miles that day into Woodstock VT and stay the night in a trail angel’s yard. With this in mind as a backup to our 20 mile stealth site, we set out on the trail at around 11:15. 


Early in the day we passed some waterfalls and a boardwalk. 





We then climbed steeply up hill and had some great views of Mt Killington.



Part of the trail had such an abrupt drop off that there was a ladder to climb down. 




We then climbed up to “the lookout” a privately owned barn on a hill that hikers are allowed to use as a shelter. It has a platform on top with outstanding views of VT and NH. 



Inside the shelter is a loft, fireplace, and plenty of space on the ground for hikers to sleep. 




Spencer and I climbed to the lookout platform on top of the barn and were awestruck by the views. We could see the southern White Mountains, including Moosilauke and the Kinsmans. In the second picture, Mt Moosilauke is the large mountain toward the right with clouds barely touching the peak. Moosilauke is the first mountain in the Whites we will climb. 




After the lookout we hiked through woods and looked for a stealth site. 



When we couldn’t find anything good we decided to go into Woodstock and see if the trail angel named Dan would let us pitch our tents in his yard. We showed up at 7:45 and he very graciously let us stay in his yard by a babbling stream. He also offered to make us coffee in the morning. Apparently he has been helping hikers for around 29 years. 


The weather today was fantastic and we really enjoyed the view from the lookout. The morning was a little difficult psychologically, leaving the comforts of town. But once we pushed through that the rest of the day went well. 


Tomorrow we will hike out of Vermont and into New Hampshire. We will get a resupply in Hanover NH just after crossing the Connecticut River, the boarder between VT and NH. 


Goodnight,

Walker 

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