Day 37 - Tuesday, July 19

Linda

We woke up at 6:00 this morning and just lay there until someone came down and started cooking eggs. Couldn't stand it any longer, so finally got up. Nothing opens in Hanover until 9:00, so we took another leisurely hot shower and talked with some of the residents until then. We enjoyed spending a leisurely morning wandering around Main Street in and out of the shops we had peeked in the windows of last night. We bought a new stuff bag and some sandals for Ronald. Also picked up some pill bottles for spices, since we lost our spice bag somewhere. Finally hit the P & C grocery store which is the nicest one we've been in so far. It's interesting how grocery stores have come to be almost as important landmarks as geographic points along the trail. We resupplied for breakfasts and lunches, then bought eggs, orange juice and fresh cantaloupe for today's breakfast. We even splurged and bought steak to carry out for dinner.

Back at Foley House we cooked a wonderful brunch in their gourmet kitchen. Thayer Hall couldn't have even done better for the price. We had scrambled eggs, fried summer sausage, melon and orange juice. Yummm! Les and Pete came in about then, primed for lunch at Thayer Hall. Two other Northbounders came in and we got some information on places to stay and eat further south. Finally got ourselves put together and left the house at 3:30 to walk the 5.5 miles to Happy Hill Cabin. It was smotheringly humid, so we melted most of the way, but the trail was wide and pleasant in many spots. It followed along quite a few dirt roads. Got to the cabin and relaxed a little before fixing our steak dinner which tasted great! We will have to do that more often. The bugs weren't bad outside, so we figured we'd sleep out on the porch of the cabin. The night was clear and it eventually cooled off enough to be comfortable.

Ron

We messed around Hanover this morning, getting those supplies we needed for our next section in the wilderness. I'm afraid we stocked up a bit too much food, considering the four pounds beef stick Linda is carrying in her pack. Her pack may be heavy, but fortunately in a few days it will be lighter. After shopping, we went back to Foley house with our groceries and fried the eggs and beef stick. We also got a couple of melon halves for ten cents. The whole meal cost about $.85.

We tried to find some new T-shirts, but they were too expensive. Around noon a couple of North bounders arrived and we got some good tips on where to stay. We strolled out of town around 3:30 with our super heavy packs and fresh steaks for supper. The walk here to the Happy Hill Cabin was nice with a general incline most of the way. The steep sections were quick and short. We made it here in about two and a half hours.

The trail along most of the area covered was great. We walked throughout an area rich in pine with a soft bed of needles to walk on. It made our feet feel good after the one and a half miles of road walking on leaving Hanover. Tonight also marks our first night in the state of Vermont. If our feet hold out we will get some good mileage tomorrow. It appears that travel throughout this area is going to be nice.

(5.5 Miles - 442 Total)