Still movin'

8/19 II
Okay, I moved on from Otter Creek just in time. I had gotten the tent packed up and took a shower got in to the car just in time for the heavens to open up. The owner of the campground said that I could sit under his shelter until it let up. At least he asked if I wanted the music on so I could decline gracefully. Didn’t want to drive in the pouring rain since I had no idea of where I was headed except for a town called Rutland. There was a thru hiker shelter there so I called and asked if I might be able to work for stay. They said yes, I thought – another first.
The Shelter itself was above a café that the people owned. Both the café and the shelter were run by a 12 Tribes Community. I haven’t read their literature yet but was I can say is that they were very welcoming. I was shown to the room. Men and women were separated. (Good for me being the first time and all.) There were about 4 male hikers there and one female, so I shared the room with her. There were 3 sets of bunk beds in our room. Things were clean. Our section had 2 showers, 2 sinks and a toilet.
Then I went down stairs to see what work for stay actually meant. The next 4 hours I spent washing dishes. It was a little hot in that room and the dishes kept coming. Another first. They fed me lunch. Brought me a smoothie later in the day and offered supper. I really wasn’t hungry at all.
Early evening I headed to the local library to do a little computer work. Back to the café a little later. Monday night was their night of Israeli folk dancing. No, I didn’t dance but it was fun to watch.
I did manage to find a treasure in the hiker box there – a pair of beat up yellow waldies. I’ve been wanting some camp shoes for a long time now. Woohoo! Simple pleasures.
8-17-10
Happy Birthday, Maria! J
Mee Jerry at the trail head at Kent Pond. Went to the Inn at Long Trail for lunch. Didn’t leave until next morning. Nice place, lot of character and lots of characters. There were about 18 hikers there. We had a really great room. Fell asleep watching the moon come up over the mountain outside our window.
Took Jerry back to the trail head the next morning, which I think was Wednesday. Gave a ride to some other hikers and then moved on to find another camp site. Ended up in Quechee VT. Nice campgrounds. But it is oh so much nicer to camp with friends.
Picked him up in the evening. Looked around the area a little, had supper and hit the sleeping bags. Tonight we’ll be in the same spot.
This morning I found a water lily filled pond – a lake by my standards. Sat there for a while and waited for the sun to burn through the clouds above the mountains. Moved on down the raod a little and found a covered bridge. Got out to take a look and there was a hot air balloon appearing to be just above the mountains. What a surprise, gift!
Just a little while ago I was sitting reading at the campsite and a humming bird flew by. Another gift.
At the moment Chip and Dale are chattering to each other. Hope the van door is shut!
Jerry just called. He is hiking into NH this afternoon. Second 20+ mile day in a row.