Vermont: The Final Days

The Inn At Long Trail ended up being home for two nights.  Hansel, Gretel and Two Bad asked if the inn keepers might be able to help them slack pack, by keeping their backpacks and picking them up at the end of the day.  Hiking without the pack makes "Vermuck" slightly easier to manage.  They were able to leave their packs there again the next day since Mom was going to pick up Two Bad after finishing VT.  She grabbed their packs halfway through the day and collected them from the trail that evening.  The spent the night in a hotel where they all could clean up and have a good night sleep before the final 24 miles stretch to the New Hampshire boarder.

The poor weather and slippery trail conditions really set our hikers back.  24 miles would be the longest hike Two Bad would have ever made.  After such a rough week of falling, twisting, aching, and bleeding, Two Bad made a difficult decision.  Finishing Vermont with Hansel and Gretel was a goal he had set for himself, a goal he mostly certainly could have accomplished had circumstances been different.  But pushing out these last 24 miles was simply too much on this day.  Hansel suspected Two Bad had mixed emotions on the matter.  Perhaps he was a little disappointed that he wasn't able to finish, but in realizing what he would have to do in order to cross the boarder, he was probably a bit relieved to be off the Trail.  He has done much more than most 50+ year olds could have done.  Maybe even more than most people of any age could have done!  And we are all incredibly proud of him for that!  He is a shinning example of how approaching life with the right attitude makes all the difference.  Despite his many aches and pains, he maintained a positive perspective and kept pushing through!  Two Bad, you are a champion!

Happy trails!

Gretel at Kent Pond