Slackpacking Trip - Day 7

Despite the trouble I'd had finding a place to stay the previous night, I was still close to the trail when I woke this morning. The hotel breakfast area was packed (0730), so I must have been really lucky to get this room... Drove north to Norwich (Vermont) and used my bike (0800) to cross the Connecticut River to Hanover (New Hampshire), just to the east. After locking my bike on the edge of the Dartmouth College campus (intersection of NH-10A and NH-120). My first hiking segment included a nice climb up to the heights east of town. Explored the area around the so-called "Velvet Rocks" (including the AT shelter), enjoying the crisp, cool weather. Backtracking, I headed back towards Vermont, strolling through the college on the way (it made me feel 25 years younger). Passing my car, I continued west on the AT for another 3 miles (Elm Street and trail, all the way to "Woods Road"). Saw one SOBO through hiker and found some Trail Magic (energy bar!) when I backtracked... Altogether, I hiked nearly 10 miles and biked almost 3 more. Finished relatively early and drove back across the river to retrieve my bike. Due to the difficulty getting lodging, I decided to drive down to visit my family on Cape Cod for the night, planning to take a break from hiking for a day or so. Used I-91 all the way to MA-2 - it was a pleasant way to drive through the eastern edge of the Berkshires and I made good time. Arrived at I-495 and headed south. Thought I would be OK until I started running into a huge traffic jam at EVERY interchange! Eventually, couldn't take it any more and got off the Interstate at Marlborough, "exploring" for a bit until I could get back on with less traffic. Honestly, it didn't work out... After weathering more traffic all the way to MA-25, I exited near Wareham onto US-6 and drove down to the "new" flyover at the Sagamore Bridge. It wasn't dark when I crossed the Canal, so I didn't stop in Sandwich. Instead, I drove all the way out to Dennis and took Air Line Road to Satucket Road and then took A.P. Newcomb Road to MA-6A. Paid my respects to my Mom at the Brewster Cemetery just as the sun went down. Then headed back to Sandwich via MA-6A (to Yarmouthport) and US-6 (to MA-130). Arrived at Dad's house at 1900. Went to dinner with him at Sandwich Pizza and had a nice talk. Spent the rest of the evening watching movies on TV with him & Beth (and their dogs). Bed at 2300. Total AT today = 5.71 miles / Grand Total AT = 194.64 miles.