Another week on the trail, Manchester Center VT to Hanover NH

This is the stretch I skipped in fall 2015, when an incredible streak of perfect fall weather persuaded me to jump ahead and do the Whites and leave this for another time. Such as another nice run of sunny weather this year, at least for the first 5 days. Some wonderful sunsets and dark night skies, but didn't see the Orionids because the shelters and tent sites were mostly under trees. Besides, I went to bed early and it was cold enough not to want to go look for clearer views. As for the leaves, mostly past peak color, if there was that much this dry hot year. Still a great time to be on the trail.

Little Rock Pond

Got my first serious blister in 20 years, on the side of my left heel, from not keeping left boot laced up tight enough -- forgot that it was a hot spot this spring solved by stabilizing heel better. Then the last 3 days of rain, featuring heavy downpours and wind, knocking most remaining leaves down and jumping from August to November overnight. Everything stayed soggy, but oh the special joy of putting on my last clean and dry pair of socks that final day for the 15 miles into Hanover, even if they got damp fast, splashing across overflowing streams.

Stoney Brook Shelter

Bear Mt. NY to Salisbury CT, April 2017, a week on the AT

Back on the AT after 1 1/2 years. Last year was all about cyclo-touring, 5000 miles over 4 months, Washington, Oregon, Illinois to Ontario, then UK and Netherlands. Very nice trip.
Figured I was due for a trail refresher, so picked up where I left off 2 years ago to have surgery, knocking off an "easy" stretch of the AT. Easy if in hiking shape, not so much for me starting out with up and down NY. Two warm and wet days brought out the black flies and I pulled a tick off my last morning. Otherwise just right, though this 5 ft black snake was a surprise.

And Wiley Shelter had this nice amenity, the Dover Plains Little Library, courtesy of the real Dover Plains public library.

Ended in Salisbury with a nice big salad and great beer at the White Hart Inn, and stayed with the indomitable Maria McCabe, 81 year old Italian war bride, twice widowed and since then mothering AT hikers for the last 19 years.

And then back to the reality of hanging with my 5 month old grandson Peter Montgomery-Baecher.