Slackpacking Trip - Day 12

Started my day at 0700 and left the hotel by 0800. Headed east on VT-11 to the trailhead (0805) and enjoyed another great day on the AT. First, hiked NOBO to the summit of Bromley Mountain (a ski resort). It was a smooth climb on the north side of the highway. Saw some day hikers in this section and also encountered an AT Work Crew (mostly kids). Backtracked to VT-11 and changed my shirt (hot) at the car (1045) before tackling the south side of the road: Spruce Peak. Found the shelter and turned around (saw one day hiker in the area but he ignored me). This section of the trail was much rougher (roots, rocks, mud), pretty demotivating, actually... Due to continuing knee pain on the way back down the hill, I decided to use a snowmobile trail and VT-11 to get back to my car. By the end (1330), I was very tired. Repositioned (drove to US-7, exited at Denby) to the area east of Mt. Tabor, to a section of AT south of USFR-10 in White Rocks National Recreation Area. Parked at the trailhead (1400) and hiked SOBO along a flat area until I reached the Big Branch Shelter. Ran into two Long Trail (runs from the northern to southern borders of VT - including the same route as AT, south of Killington) hikers (John and Jason, friends). I talked to them for a while - it sounds like they've been having a great trip! Continued SOBO with them all the way to the fork in the trail near Old Job Shelter. Headed back to my car - fell down on the way (not just knee pain to deal with now...). When I was done this afternoon (1600), I'd hiked almost 15 miles. Got back on US-7N and, after a detour near Clarendon, arrived in Rutland (switching to US-4E). Eventually found a place to stay, east of town (Mendom Mountain Orchard: cottages). After getting settled, drove down into Rutland (1800) and had dinner at East Asia Restaurant (mmmm... good). Spent the evening watching TV, planning my next day of hiking and surfing the internet. Bed relatively early... Today on AT = 7.25 miles / Grand Total = 221.42 miles.