Welcome Home

Scott
Jul 21, 2018
5 min read

After a scenic week travelling through Vermont, we hiked into Massachusetts and will cross Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in quick succession. During my life I lived in four of these five states so this will be a bit of a homecoming. In fact, the seeds for this whole adventure were planted while I was growing up in Pennsylvania and New York. I am also excited to get back to Massachusetts where I spent 5 years along Route 128 and enjoyed several years working at Oracle Digital's Burlington Hub. I remember the great people and energy there and will seek to channel that energy as we increase our daily miles.

Before summarizing our last week let me share a cool experience we had at the Mountain Meadow Lodge. The primary purpose of the Lodge is actually as a wedding venue so Erik found a beautiful grand piano in one of the rooms. Given his passion, he sat down and started to play. The owner of the Lodge heard him playing and joined us. After sharing the history of the piano (a 1906 Baltimore that has been fully restored) he asked Erik to sing for him and Erik obliged. As it turns out, the Lodge owner is also a music professor and voice coach at the college. After listening to Erik, he complimented him on his natural talents, provided some insightful tips and encouraged him to pursue music as part of his university curriculum. It was exciting to watch and listen as a stranger and expert confirmed Erik's gifts. I was proud of Erik and gained a greater appreciation for the breadth and depth of his musical talents. It was exciting to have this random experience as we hike along the trail.

After we left the lodge we blazed a trail through Vermont hiking 20+ miles most days. Our journey took us over several famous ski mountains including Killington and Stratton. We hiked through lush woods and fields (they call Vermont the Green Tunnel since you rarely escape the canopy). They also call it Vermud and after a rainy Tuesday we understood why. The beautiful trail we loved quickly turned into a muddy bog. Luckily, we had good weather the rest of the week. With our faster pace (trail legs combined with easier trail) and good weather we were through Vermont and into Massachusetts before we knew it. This update comes from the Harbor House B&B in Cheshire, Massachusetts.

Next up, we head into Connecticut, New York and New Jersey in short order before settling down for 200 miles of hiking through Pennsylvania.

Day 41 - After a good breakfast at the Lodge we hiked out 14 miles to the Governor Clement Shelter. It was a unique shelter with a fireplace but was damp and smokey so we tented nearby.

It takes two signs to confirm that the thing that looks so much like a trail is in fact not a trail

The woods are actually overrun with Porcupines - Erik saw one on trail

This tree grew an ear

Enjoying sunset by the lake at Mountain Meadows Lodge

The ready hikers depart Mountain Meadows Lodge

Ludwig was hiking the northern AT and we met him on the trail and at the Lodge. He was an instant friend and we enjoyed his company. He stayed an extra day to watch the World Cup final.

Panorama from the top of Killington - highest mountain in Vermont

New flower for the day

Day 42 - a 15 mile day that included crossing the Clatendon Gorge and a side trip to a deli off Route 103 for a delicious sandwich and some fresh OJ

Lots of new flowers today

I think these were in Peggy's bouquet

Erik and I debated if this was a flower

This definitely was

The canopy does open on occasion

It is awesome when there are blankets of flowers

Looking down on Clarendon Gorge

This suspension bridge spanned over the gorge and was exciting to cross

Erik getting some water - a daily experience that is getting more challenging as we move south

Day 43 - The plan was to stop at Peru Peak but we pushed on the Bromley Mountain. So glad we did as the ski patrol hut at the top of Bromley is open to thru hikers and was a cozy place to hole up during the storm (also offered an AMAZING sunset).

A cool rock garden - remember a similar garden at Yosemite

Loved the reflection in this pond

Erik crossing another river - most are bridged now

Rainy day so a salamander came out

Stratton Mountain wrapped in clouds

Trail Angel's leave clean water near road crossings - so helpful when natural sources run dry

The AT was NOT the easiest route down the mountain but this ski trail apparently was

Pictures cannot capture the grandeur - this sunset from Bromley Mountain was gorgeous and was seven layers deep given all the mountains behind us

Day 44 - we were feeling good so pushed a 23 mile day and ended in a stealth camp site near Black Brook. Stealth camping is when you just find a good place and set up your tent (no formal shelter or campsite). First time we have stealth camped and was a great spot though a little damp.

This ski patrol cabin on Bromley was a perfect shelter from the storm

Another idyllic scene

Loved the way the light filtered over this cascade

Look high on the tree to see the original sign, then the tree grew so they added the "Look Up" sign below :)

This was a bizarre shaped mushroom

Erik looking over Stratton pond

From Stratton Tower looking back to Killington

From Stratton tower looking forward to the Greylocks

Day 45 - another 20 mile day that included climbing Mt. Glastonbury with its tower and ended at Melville Newhaum shelter.

A beaver lake with their lodge in the middle

Panorama from the fire tower on Mount Glastonbury

Day 46 - we stretched a fourth 20 mile day to exit Vermont and get onto Massachusetts - our fourth state and dang close to 600 miles down.

The Vermont/Massachusetts border is also the start of the Long Trail to Canada. So, in addition to hiking the AT we also hiked 105 miles of the Long Trail (and crossed into Massachusetts)

Not a flower but just as colorful

Erik thought Rachel would like the hand print paintings along this footbridge into Williamstown

Day 47 - we hiked out of Williamstown (North Adams) and up Mt. Greylock. Healthy climb but so worth it. Will miss these epic views. We then hiked to an awesome B&B where we will spoil ourselves after five solid days of heavy hiking.