So. Tired. That was a big day for me. 14.4 miles, 4,000 feet up, and 2,500 feet down. I have aches in all the usual places and some in new places. Let’s hope my body adjusts quickly to the new demands I’m putting on it. This is one of the things I wanted to find out, so I guess we’ll see. I’m still optimistic.
The trail today was surprisingly merciful, other than the elevation changes and the amount I bit off. Sure, there was a brutal descent to route 9, the matching ascent on the other side, a gloomy swamp or two, and the final, arse-kicking climb to the shelter, but there were also long stretches of fairly flat, mostly dry, reasonably even trail, which felt like an absolute treat. And the weather was cool and sunny all day.
The infamous green tunnel feels more like a green blanket. It’s downright dark and shadowy in places, and sunny and leafy in others. Views are few and far between, and it’s a remarkable feeling of release when stepping out into a power line cut or the old farm atop Harmon Hill today, with its well-spaced oaks and views of Bennington over fields of yellow and white flowers.
I found myself admiring the incredible variety of mushrooms and fungi in these woods. They sprout up in all kinds of whimsical shapes and colors, both solitary and in grand colonies. And the leaves collecting on my trekking pole tips come in all shapes and colors, too. There’s an abundance of bright red maple leaves carpeting the trail currently. I have a feeling it’s only going to get better from here.
My shelter companions tonight are James and Lauren from New Jersey, up for a 2-day loop up Glastenbury Mountain. James is an educator of educators, and Lauren works with blind folks. They set up a tent inside the shelter, which I thought was an interesting choice, and they’re playing a dice game at the moment. They seem like very nice people. Plus, James sounds exactly like my therapist, and I like my therapist.
It’s looking soggy tomorrow. It might be a good day to ratchet back the miles. An extended reading break in the next shelter to sit out the worst of it may be order. Or maybe I’ll just pull my hood down over my face and make the best of it. Or both. We’ll see. It looks pretty nice the rest of the week.
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