Well….I’m in Vermont:

Very Eager, Rather Mighty Obstacles Near, Too.

Or…

Voila! Exiting Real Mud, Onto New Hampshire Thursday.

Ok, that one was cheating. Your turn.

In its defense, Vermont hasn’t been as muddy as Massachu– I don’t want to even talk about that state again. VT (which is normally nicknamed “Vermud” on the trail) has been quite pleasant…and a little muddy. We actually had two days of sun in a row to start the week! Something like a phenomenon lately! Everyone on and off the trail is commenting on how unusually wet this summer has been. “Global Wetting” instead of “Global Warming”?

I’m in the town of Rutland, VT, which I’m told is the second largest city in VT, a state with less than 700,000 residents, making it the second-least populated state in the union (behind Wyoming). For those of you who can’t remember the 3rd grade like me, Montpelier is the capital, named after a French city. Parlez-vous français? “La souris est en dessous de la table.” “Le chat est sur la chaise.” “Le singe est sur la branche.” -Eddie Izzard (for Matty).

Many of we first-time AT hikers are a bit anxious at what’s ahead. I’m currently traversing the Green Mountain range of VT — no mountains at 4,000 feet, no climbs much more than a few thousand feet at a time, mostly gradual at that. However, upon entering New Hampshire I’ll begin climbing in the White Mountain range. Mount Moosilauke @ 4,802ft — climb starts 5.5 miles away at 1,140 feet. Little Haystack @ 4,760ft + Mount Lincoln @ 5,089ft + Mount Lafayette @ 5,249 feet = these three occur within 2 miles of each other and the approach to Little Haystack starts less than 5 miles away at 1,450ft. And to name one more, Mount Washington @ 6,288ft — the second highest peak on the AT, as well as being “famous for its dangerously erratic weather, holding the record for the highest wind gust directly measured at the Earth’s surface, at 231 mph (372 km/h) on the afternoon of April 12, 1934.”  That’s just to name a few.

Then Maine happens, which I hear is just as difficult at the start as the Whites will have been to traverse.

However, I’m excited at the same time because everyone acknowledges this last stretch is the most beautiful part of the entire trail! And while I haven’t seen any yet, there’s talk of moose and porcupine! Did you know porcupine climbs trees? Crazy.

So, all that to say I see a faint light at the end of this Appalachian Trail tunnel. And that’s encouraging! So thanks to all who have been with me this far, and Lord willing, barring injury or illness, will be with me until the end!

Lastly…something pretty amazing happened upon entering Rutland yesterday afternoon. One of the things I often listen to on my MP3 player after I leave town is a podcast called the “World Vision Report.” It’s a great news program with amazing stories from around the world. Recently they featured a segment on Bela Fleck and an album he released called “Throw Down Your Heart.” Bela traveled to Africa in 2005, the ancestral home of the banjo which he plays better than anyone else in the world. He played with Africa’s best musicians and the CD has been fun to hike to!

Well, as it turns out, he is on tour with one of the African musicians on the album, and they played a concert last night…across the street from the hostel I’m staying! I saw people come out onto the sidewalk during intermission and made my way over to the venue for the start of the second half. After waltzing in the back of the hall, I quietly sat down on the staircase and took in most of the second half of the show…amazing. It was surreal to hear the music live that I’ve been enjoying so much while hiking. I went up after the show and tried to explain the irony to him (that and that I work for World Vision…and I’m a fellow Nashvillian…), but I’m not so sure I was able to communicate clearly how I stumbled off the trail and snuck into his concert. Oh well. Here’s me and Bela 🙂

Though I zero’d today my left leg has been bothering me a bit. I’m hoping to replace my shoes within 50 miles with a pair that last me until the end.

We should have a sponsorship update sometime next week, I hope you’re looking forward to that as much as I am!

Lastly but not leastly:

Trail Report
7/30 11.4 miles. Amazing view on top of Mt. Greylock even though it was a bit cloudy. Caught up to Soundtrack and Kaybar, two of my favorite hikers!
7/31 17.1 miles. Rained almost all day. Trail was a river.
8/1 23.3 miles. First full day in VT. Cool view from Glastenbury, Mtn. Sunny all day. Snapped my trekking pole!
8/2 21.1 miles. Good, fast day. Cloudy, cool, a few drops of rain. EMS fixed trekking pole! Staying at Green Mountain Hostel.
8/3 16.5 miles. Nice shelter by a river. Muddy trail, as usual. But sunny day!
8/4 16.9 miles. 10 other people at this shelter. Beautiful day.
8/5 16.4 miles. Fast day into Rutland. Maybe too fast…leg kinda hurts.
8/6 0 miles. Staying at the “Back Home Again Cafe” hostel. Very cool, unique place.