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Hey Everyone! Since we last blogged we have been hiking along, out of Connecticut, through Massachusetts and Vermont, and into Hanover, New Hampshire. The cooler weather of the Northeast is a welcome change! Hiking is definitely getting more difficult with more mountains and obstacles in the way, but the more frequent scenic vistas are making for generally more enjoyable hiking days.
Our first day back to the trail following our Connecticut visit, we climbed over Bear Mountain, the highest mountain on the trail in Connecticut and Mount Everett, the 2nd highest mountain in Massachusetts. It was definitely a snap back to reality! The combination of a few days off, high temperatures, and a relatively long, strenuous hiking day got the best of us. When we reached the top of Bear Mountain, we were exhausted and completely drenched in sweat. We took a long break in the shade at the top of the mountain to cool off and make sure we made it down the other side into the beautiful Sages Ravine. That break paid off, and we cruised through the rest of the day making light work of Mount Everett. Unfortunately, we successfully transitioned from clean normal people into sweaty, smelly, dirty hikers in just a few hours. We did our best to clean up in a stream before bed, but our first night back in the tent was not fun! 
Over the next week or so, we hiked our way over the hills of Massachusetts and into wet, soggy VerMUD..errr, I mean Vermont. During our travels, we successfully climbed some of the highest and coolest mountains in their respective states, many of them people would know more for their great skiing in the winter time -- Mt. Greylock in MA, Stratton Mountain in VT and Mt. Killington also in VT. Each mountain had its own uniquely cool thing at the top. The trail over Mt. Greylock (highest Mt. in MASS) passed a huge monument and a viewing platform where you could see well into the neighboring states. On top of Stratton Mountain there was a tall, rickety fire tower that we climbed and enjoyed amazing 360-degree views on an overcast and windy day. Mt. Killington made us work hard to get to the top, having to take a 0.2 mile side trail that was windy, rocky, slick and very steep. I actually ditched my trekking poles on the way up because it was easier to hike and use my hands to hang on. After all the work getting to the top it got hazier and hazier, with ridiculously strong winds. We caught a breathtaking 10 second view of the valley before the next cloudbank rolled in and we could see only white. 
Since arriving in Vermont, the trail (and weather) has been wet and soggy. As we trudge along the trail, we frequently encounter huge mud puddles that we must navigate around or over by skipping across small rocks and logs. One misstep and Whammo! You are ankle deep in a stinky mud bath. We’ve actually made a game out of jumping over bigger and bigger puddles by pole vaulting across with our hiking sticks. I’m the big winner so far clearing an 8 foot long beast. Jeff attempted a ten footer, but came up about half foot short, slipped with legs flailing like a newborn deer on an ice pond, and fell on his rear end in the puddle. I caught it all on video, but Jeff started whining and confiscated the evidence immediately. At any rate, our shoes are really starting to stink! Yesterday, Jeff and I were sitting on a rock taking a break when we were suddenly taken by a rank odor. We checked everywhere before we figured out that it was us! Awful!
Speaking of “what smells,” we have started to see more and more evidence of Moose the further north we get in Vermont. Not only have we seen hoof prints down the trail, but huge piles of droppings as we go. On the day we climbed over Killington, Jeff & I were walking along chatting about random things and avoiding the mud as much as possible. OK, I have waterproof shoes, so I avoid the mud a little less than Jeff and trudge along as clumsily as I would any other day. This particular day I was doing pretty good when I stepped on an innocent looking rock, slipped and landed face-first in the mud. Immediately I was overwhelmed by the most disgusting odor and scrambled to my feet in shock that I had actually fallen. As Jeff tried not to laugh I grabbed my handkerchief and started wiping the mud off, absolutely disgusted at what I now smelled like. I mean, the mud looked like “mud,” but it smelled like a moose had been there if you know what I mean! Needless to say, we hiked straight to town for a shower and washing machine!~Styx & Bones
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Good luck to you both, the end of the trail is near and I'm so happy for you! Jeff, I got your postcard, thank you. I'm LOVING being a new mom.
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