Nimblewill Nomad
Long Distance Hiker/Author
Journal 239-ODYSSEY 2021: Bama to Baxter-Hike On!
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Saturday–October 16, 2021
Trail Day–239
Trail Mile–5.5/2387.8
Remaining Miles–230
Location–Mad Tom Notch Road (533.6) to VT-11/30 (539.1), then to Yellow Deli Hostel, Rutland
What to do today, that’s the question. There were severe thunderstorms last night, just as forecast. Barry and I, we’re up at seven this morning to assess the situation. We’ve still light rain, but radar shows it passing through, bringing cloudy conditions (but no rain) until later today. Barry checks the AT Guthook app, looking for a short section we might go ahead and do. So, after studying the options, plan is to skip ahead for now and hike a shorter 5.5-mile segment further south.
Kitchen Sink will not be going as his uncle is coming to spend time with him here in Rutland. In his stead, and agreeing to hike with me today–Slim Jim. We met earlier this year at Trail Days in Damascus. At that time Jim was serving as Ridge Runner for Mt. Rogers. So, it’s good to see him again, to spend some time on the trail.
Once the decision is made to hike today, no time is wasted getting loaded in Barry’s van. It’s over an hour’s drive up the mountain. However, we run into a problem getting past Denny’s. So in we go for breakfast.
Finally, we manage to get on trail at 10:30. More climbing right off, a long, steady 950-foot ascent to Bromley Mountain. I’ve a much brighter outlook today even though the rain of last night has turned the trail into a difficult mud-boggin’ slog.
Toward the end of our descent, Barry hikes up to greet us. We’re back to the hostel by three-thirty, just before the afternoon storm (as forecast) arrives.
Supper is right across the street at Taso. Great burger, washed down with a tall glass of Switchback Ale, Vermont’s most popular (#1) draft beer…
Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked,
in which you can walk with love and reverence.
(Henry David Thoreau)
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What are the interesting things in the above pictures?
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