Sponsors Journals Itinerary Gear List
Monday–October 4, 2021
Trail Day–227
Trail Mile–-8.4/2289.3
Remaining Miles—328.1
Location–Etna Road (436.3), to downtown Hanover (442.2), then across the Connecticut River to Elm Street trailhead, Norwich, Vermont (444.7), then back to Hanover Adventure Tours Hostel, Norwich, Vermont, Kimberly Chambers, Proprietor, MaKensi Kastl, Hostel Mgr.
A warm, dry night at Adventure Tours. Odie & Kitchen Sink have prepared breakfast–cheese omelettes, fried potatoes, and blueberry pancakes, all washed down with piping hot freshly brewed coffee. Don’t get no better!
But this day could be the least bit better. Dark gloom and fog as Barry shuttles us (Odie, Kitchen Sink, and me) back up to the trail crossing at Etna Road. Giving the day a little time to improve, we’re not on trail until nearly ten. Right decision–the day has come around, much brighter, no rain!
As is customary, we’ve a climb first thing, but this is only 1,200-feet of gradual, easy going up to Velvet Rocks. From there, and off the other side, an equally easy, gradual descent to downtown Hanover. We’re in by 1:30!
The trail goes right by Lou’s Restaurant. Hey, time for lunch, compliments of Barry. On through Hanover, past Dartmouth, then across the Connecticut River Bridge, we’ve a roadwalk up to the Elm Street trailhead. What a fine hiking day–no rain!
Back at Adventure Tours Hostel, I’m talked into riding one of their electric bikes. Tricky, but fun. When you pedal a little, it figures out what you want to do, then drives the bike for you–ran me right up over the curb!
If you’ve been following my daily journal entries, you’re aware that I’m fascinated by the incredible variety of mushrooms and fungi seen (and photographed by me) along the trail. Odie gathered a good mess of the edible Lion’s Mane today. And, along with an abundance of left over spaghetti, Kitchen Sink fried them for supper–Umm-umm good!
The cold rain finally arrived late this evening. It’s tatting the roof and windows as I compose this entry–in my warm, dry bed…
The sun did not shine.
It was too wet to play.
So we sat in the house.
All that cold, cold, wet day.
(Dr. Seuss)
