Rutland, Vermont (Photo credit: Dougtone)

I entered Vermont last week and was automatically on the Long Trail, which the Appalachian Trail follows for 105 miles. I will be leaving the Long Trail when I get back on the trail tomorrow, but I know I will return to finish the rest of the Long Trail within the next few years. If I am not mistaken the Vermont Long Trail is about 273 miles and goes up the length of Vermont, from the Massachusetts border to the Canadian border. There has been a bit of everything in Vermont and I am loving it all.

I stopped in Manchester Center for a post office pick-up and stayed the night at the Green Mountain House Hostel, which was absolutely fantastic. It was an entire house for hikers. It was so CLEAN and well cared for ~ thanks Jeff. Awaiting every hiker was a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. I love me some Cherry Garcia ~ Yum! Thankfully I went to the grocery store before going to the hostel because my resupply box was not at the post office when I got there. I figured I had just enough food with me for three days, so I pushed myself the 50 miles to Rutland to buy 3 more days of food to get me the 46 miles to Hanover, NH.

I got to the Yellow Deli and Hiker Hostel at 23 Center Street in Rutland last night and was so wonderfully surprised by how nice and clean it was; and how fantastic the people are who run it as a labor of love. Dinner was a fantastic eggplant parmesan at Sal’s Italian Restaurant. Life is good!

I’m less than 10 miles from the 1700 mile mark and I am psyched. It is hard to believe that I have come this far on my own two leg, except my feet will attest to the fact with gusto.