It’s been a while since I hiked and I wanted to do a “shakedown” before my Maine trip. When I saw that the weather looked great to the west this morning, I decided to tackle another section of the Long Trail in Vermont (I’ve got a five year streak hiking at least a bit of it). I left early and drove west (via I-89, I-91, US-4 and VT-100) to locate a trailhead north of Killington (VT) called “The Elbow”. The road wasn’t on the map or the Guthook App for the Long Trail but I knew it was there after hiking down it last year - I also got lucky that the logging companies had poured fresh gravel on the it. By 0900, I was parked at the trailhead and started hiking (SOBO). After about a year of hiking the AT in the White Mountains, the trail seemed “easy”! On the outbound leg, I passed two solo guys who were Thru hiking from the Massachusetts border to the Canadian border and had good chat with each of them. Otherwise, I didn’t see anyone… I made good progress up a gradual incline (no views today, unfortunately) and turned around at Maine Junction. I’ve now hit that landmark three times (twice on the AT and now on the LT). Was back at my car before 1130 (after a little less than 5 miles) and was really feeling good. I guess today proved that I’ve got some good trail mileage left in me - I just need to take the Whites in bite sized pieces! From the trailhead, I drove back to US-4 and used it to reach US-7 in Rutland. I then drove south to Danby so I could have lunch with Elizabeth. As we had done last year, we ate a nice meal in the kitchen of her house (the one I've "borrowed" when hiking in the area). This time, we were joined by a mouse that kept popping in and out of Elizabeth's stove! We joked about the company and continued our fun discussion. Along with other topics (family, Vermont, etc.), we talked about the fun time I'd had kayaking at Emerald Lake State Park the year before. Elizabeth pointed out that she had a park pass that I could borrow - at around 1400, I took her up on the offer and drove a short distance to the park entrance. The return visit to kayak today was just as good as the last time! There were fewer people so was able to make a several clockwise circuits around the island in solitude. Loons put on a big diving show for a visiting photography club; skies full of southbound geese. No sign yet of Fall colors on the surrounding (aptly named) Green Mountains. Saw a HUGE turtle under me at one point, really close to the swimming area! Couldn’t every really get enough paddling on the calm waters with the strange emerald tint but, reluctantly, packed up my kayak by about 1600 and went back to Elizabeth's (to return her park pass). We ended up talking for a while after that and I didn't get on the road for home until almost 1700. The resulting drive (via US-7, VT-140, VT-103, VT-131, I-91 and I-89) started out in the dusk but ended in the dark. On pleasant part of the trip, though, was how everyone started lighting fireplaces in the evening - the smell was a great reminder of the colder weather that was coming. Made it home by 1900 after a great day! Long Trail Today = 2.31 miles / Grand Total LT = 109.60 miles
