Slackpacking Trip - Day 11

Weather was nicer today and I got an early start (0600 wake, packing, 0715 depart). Drove into Bennington Center and got gas at Prouty's. Stopped at Burger King for breakfast, waiting out some mist (0730) before continuing to the east on VT-9. Missed the trailhead and had to turn around. Found a parking area by 0825 and ended up hiking on both sides of the road: NOBO first to one AT shelter and then SOBO to a second (almost 6 miles and back). As I was turning around the second time, I ran into another section hiker (Bruce). I enjoyed the company on the way back to my car (nice to hear more stories of AT adventures). However, my knee (which has been bothering me for a few days, intermitently) was now hurting on every downhill step. Found that the only way to get back down (one of the steepest hills I've seen since Katahdin) was by walking slowly and stepping down with my left foot every time. Hoping that the pain isn't going to follow me all the way to the end of this trip... By 1500, I was done with the section and I ended up giving Bruce a ride to a hotel (actually, the one I used last night). It was nice to pay back some Trail Magic! Afterwards, I headed north on US-7. Suddenly found I had a cell signal again, so I took care of some email/calls. Then decided I would explore the AT east of US-7 in the National Forest. After some driving around for a bit (near Arlington), I found a route that looked like it would work: Stratton-Arlington Road (also called Kelly Stand Road). This gravel road into the mountains was closed completely after it was washed out during Hurricane Irene (2011) - it only reopened recently. Because of this, I wasn't sure I would make it to my destination (a trailhead located near Stratton Mountain, place that inspired the AT) - but I did. This allowed me to squeeze in some more hiking before the sun went down (SOBO to Black Brook). I was finished for the day by 1715. Saw a note on my map about a historical marker nearby and I found it: it said that Daniel Webster once gave a speech to 15,000 people in this area in 1840. I doubt that there are that many people living within 50 miles now! As I was getting ready to leave, I met a local couple who was out looking for moose (apparently, I missed seeing one by just a few minutes). I backtracked down the gravel road to VT-7A and drove north into Manchester. Had dinner at McDonalds (1830). Unfortunately, the office located me this evening (oh well, the solitude was good while it lasted...). Drove up to Peru (VT-11), looking for a hotel listed in the AT Trail Guide, but couldn't find it. Ended up heading back towards Manchester again - stopped at the Red Sled Motel for the night (1930). Spent the rest of the evening watching Netflix movies in the room (including "The Way", movie about hiking El Camino de Santiago de Compostella). Felt good after another day on the trail, despite the knee pain. Day AT Total = 7.01 miles / Grand Total = 214.17 miles.