Nimblewill Nomad
Long Distance Hiker/Author
Journal 224-ODYSSEY 2021: Bama to Baxter-Hike On!
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Friday–October 1, 2021
Trail Day–224
Trail Mile–-7.8/2267.3
Remaining Miles–350.1
Location–Dirt Road (414.9), then to Lyme-Dorchester Road (422.7), then back to Hikers Welcome Hostel, Glencliff, John Packrat and Alyson Robblee, Proprietors, Acadicus, Caretaker
Four more mountains of respectable size to get over here in New Hampshire. In Vermont, trail conditions should improve. So, in eight hours of hiking I hope to be able to do better than eight miles a day once I cross the New Hampshire/Vermont line.
Today we get one of the remaining four done–Smarts Mountain. That leaves three, the Kinsman twins and Wolf, the last of the Whites.
The hike today goes well. With me are Odie & Kitchen Sink. A bit chilly this morning, but with the steady climb up Smarts, no problem staying warm.
There’s an old fire tower on the summit of Smarts. Odie goes up, but the mountain is socked in, no views, so I take a pass on climbing the tower and move on. As the trail descends along a narrow ridgeline, it follows exposed ledges. And from the ledges are there views of the valley below. The captivating spell of fall is definitely upon us. There’s color on the mountain now, and it’s becoming brighter and more radiant each day.
It’s quite remarkable what a little improvement in trail conditions can make. We’re able to get in nearly eight miles in just five hours today. That’s been great, as we finish early for a change.
Evening, Odie grills burgers and we all relax by the fire…
Fall leaves are falling in showers, Sun-drenched in crimson and gold.
And here in these lofty towers,
A ritual both solemn and old.
A mood-swing past joy to sadness, Another autumn is cast.
Amid all this splendor and gladness,
I ponder…’haps this be my last.
(N. Nomad – 10/00)
2 Comments on “Journal 224-ODYSSEY 2021: Bama to Baxter-Hike On!”
Leave a Reply to Calera Sunshine Cancel reply
Nimblewill Nomad 
I love following your Journal! I look forward to it each day. Thank you!
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Wow. What beautiful pictures you take. Thank you for sharing them. Take care. Calera Sunshine
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