This in tonight: from Sept 18--Sugar maples and stone walls

 

jmthompson79@gmail.com	4:14 PM (5 hours ago)
to me

Blackberries are coming in
I finally get back onto my AWOL guide with Winthurri shelter. I don't feel like I'm hiking blind anymore. I came over Ascutney mountain today. My parents lived in VT early on and named their first dog Scutney.

Sugar maples and stone walls.
Seems like all day long there have been stone wall, stone foundations and sugar maples. From the looks of the trees growing in and around them it must have been about 150 years ago that this place was clear cut and fields. Goes along with the same era as the grave yard I walked through. This place must have been full of farms. It seems amazing that in a brief 100 years it could all be reduced to these remnants. even the roads can still be seen.
Bethel, VT, United States

Salamanders from Sept 17

Up and up and out of Norwich VT--seems like the road goes straight up for about a mile out of Norwich. The tral follows. Right before it turns into the woods there are a couple of houses with coolers and trail angle signs. One of the places has a list of all the volunteers in hanover and Norwich that will let you spend the night in their basement or barn for free. I wish some one had put this on the north side of town for the SOBO's instead of only on the south side for the NOBOs .

I keep seeing these little salamanders in the trail. They are so bright it looks like they should be plastic.
Because I lost my guide I'm sort of walking with just a map. I feel a little naked not having all the sights and water holes identified . I'll get to Thistle shelter and then Winthurri shelter and the. My resupplies guide kicks in.

It must be Vermont. Maple sugar tubes are all over the place. Not working now but ready. I am also amazed at the stone wall. This place was all farmland a hundred years ago and the stone walls are still here. Some of the cap stones are giant. I can't figure out how they were placed without days of labor. There are even foundations. You can see the layout of house barn shed all built out of stone. The trail is sort of an up and down thing. I still slow right down on the up hill. I think it's best not to plan to carry more than 5 days of food. Keep it light!
64° Clear
808–998 Sugar House Rd, West Hartford, VT, United States