Thetford, VT (USA)

As usual (for a weekday), I started teleworking very early.  When I went outside for the mail during the lunch hour, I was surprised to find it quite pleasant and warm.  This got me thinking - I should go for a hike today!  I find lots of brochures and maps during my travels and it sometimes helps to find activities on the spur of the moment.  Today was such a moment - it was the first real Spring day we’ve had this year!  After all my meetings were over (1430), I grabbed one of the brochures, made my way through (congested) Hanover and headed across the Connecticut River.  I used I-89 and VT-113 to reach the town of Thetford and then continued (via Five Corners Road) to the Ely Mountain Conservation Area.  This forested land, located just south of the Thetford-Fairlee town line (Vermont), was preserved by the Upper Valley Land Trust a few years ago and features about 2.5 miles of trails.  With temps in the 60s, I worked hills and water hazards (while checking on my heel bursitis was doing) for the next hour.  Saw several wild turkeys and soaring hawks but no people.  The walking surface was mushy/muddy in a few places but I was able to cover the entire trail network before I finished (also walked a bit on the road so I could check out the "old" trailhead)  Once I was finished (1620), I drove east along my earlier outbound route (towards the Interstate).  Instead of using the highway to get home, though, I decided to cross the River to Lyme and then took River Road back to Hanover.  I passed the Dartmouth Crew Teams near the Lyme-Hanover town line - they looked good on the water!  Arrived home by 1700 and resumed my teleworking (finished my day at 1815).