Just like all the other days on the trip, I woke up early (0600). However, this time it wasn't to telework - instead, I had a hiked planned (my first "real" one in more than two months)! Departed my hotel at around 0730 and drove to West Hartford again (this time via I-91, US-5 and VT-14), heading back to where I turned around a few days earlier (on the gravel part of Podunk Road on the West Hartford - Norwich line). I left my car (NOBO) at the AT Trailhead by 0815. The weather was overcast, windy and cool (low to mid 50s). I'd been expecting temps in the low to mid 60s, so my one layer seemed a bit less than I needed for the first few miles. The section was comprised of a "ripple" of ridges - no sooner did I descend into a valley then I would have to start climbing again. None of them were very big hills but the mud, roots and rocks made the mini-roller coaster route a bit harder than I wanted. Of course, I was quite rusty too... I saw lots of little birds happily gathering material for nests and even heard (but never saw) a large group of turkeys. On my outbound leg, I was headed for one of those "I think I'll turn around now" stopping points from my hikes in 2014. Unfortunately, I didn't have a picture to remind me of what it looked like - only a vague recollection of a dirt road (my notes said "woods road") near a farm. And I did have an expected mileage target (around 4.3 miles) which would help me locate the turn point if my pedometer worked well. Despite the forecast, I only saw the sun once and the cool weather that the huge storm last night left behind made it feel like March. Still, I never added a layer... After I passed the four mile mark (estimated), I started to see familiar (deja vu) images and ended up crossing a road (near a farm) close to where I'd expected it. But I wasn't sure if it was really the turn point. Since I didn't have a cell signal, I decided to keep going to see if there might be more hints at my true location. After about half a mile, I was convinced my first instinct was right and turned around (I also got a cell tower lock from nearby Norwich to confirm my location). I only encountered three people all day: trail runner on the outbound leg and a young local couple during the return. Never saw any animals. Because I had closed up another missing link, I was thinking about getting done and then driving a few miles away to do another section. However, the mud and climbing (up Happy Hill) made me reconsider. Instead, I thought about taking a detour to get to the car. I'd seen a sign that pointed out "Podunk Road" at the midpoint of my outbound leg and ended up taking it towards the car. The muddy dirt road was nearly impassable and had a nasty habit of splitting into multiple off-road detours around mud "lakes". The signage (where there was any) was not helpful. It was clear that this wasn't going to be an easy way to get home, so I started bearing left (i.e., towards where I knew the AT was) at every fork. During this time, I stumbled across an overgrown cemetery (with burials of settlers who were born in the Eighteenth Century), several cross country skiing trails and what looked like an old logging camp store/grill. Soon, I crossed the AT (thank goodness I saw the white blazes) and decided to take my chances on a route I'd already used. Later, I figured out I had returned to the AT about a mile from my car. By the end of my hike (1215, over nine miles), rain seemed to be threatening. Decided to call it a day and head on back to New Hampshire. Left the hiking zone by using Pomfret Road (west side of the White River) and drove all the way to Woodstock. Ate lunch (snacks) in the car and then used US-4 (the Quechee shops and restaurants were mobbed with people) and I-89 to get back to Lebanon. I was back in my hotel by 1330 . Spent most of the afternoon cleaning up and resting. In the evening (1700), I went to get some dinner (Burger King) in West Lebanon. In my room, I ate and packed until I was ready for my departure the following day. I later spent some time watching TV and reading. I was in bed by 2200. As I dozed off, it made me feel good to know that my trail legs were returning - I'm looking forward to tackling more distance next time! AT Today = 4.30 miles / G.T. AT = 1562.86 miles
