Guru Hikes

Intro

After finishing Maine and the White Mountains, I was very much looking forward to some easier miles. Although the rest of New Hampshire and the beginning of Vermont were quite muddy, it was nice to not feel as exhausted at the end of every day. I even remember consistently getting switchbacks on the Trail for the first time in Vermont!

Trail Magic!

On a bright day, just after coming out of the Whites, I met The Omlette Guy. The Omlette Guy had a full Trail Magic breakfast restaurant set up directly on the Trail. He parked on a dirt road about a tenth of a mile from the trail and walked everything in. The Omlette Guy offered me a seat and asked, “If you could have as many eggs as you wanted, how many eggs would you eat?” I told him twelve and even a couple of other thru-hikers balked at the request. He said he would get them started, and let everyone know that it was a pretty average request. “The most I’ve ever been requested was two dozen, and the guy ate them all,” he told us. I waited while petting the two massive rottweilers he brought with him, and when the omelets were ready, I ate them all. I thanked The Omlette Guy profusely and went on my way with a full belly.

A few days later at a particularly nice view, I was able to call my Grandmother (Gram) to wish her a happy birthday. I then met Mama Duck at the viewpoint, whom I had met once before in the Whites. She told me that a friend of her’s had brought trail magic to the next shelter, and we happily hiked the next few miles dreaming of the luxury of real food. At the shelter, Mama Duck’s friend brought a slew of goodies, and I had my second feast on Trail within just a few days!

The rest of the Trail through New Hampshire was pretty relaxed, with nice flat sections, and accessories to make some of climbs easier. I found a fun sign and I spotted some beautiful critters along the way!

Hanover

Arriving at the border of New Hampshire and Vermont, I came to the city of Hanover. Hanover is known for being home to Dartmoth College, as well as where Bill Bryson, of “A Walk in the Woods” fame, calls home. A friend of mine who worked for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy hooked me up with one of their friends who was currently going to Dartmouth, and I had a nice bed to sleep on for the next two nights. I took a full day exploring Hanover and even popped my head into a hiker-friendly pizzeria for a complimentary slice just for being a thru-hiker! I also stopped by the post office, where my dad sent me a care package with new shoes(!) and spending money to be used towards ice cream!

My Worst Day of Trail

On my first day in Vermont, I received the worst call of my life. I woke up to my phone ringing, and my mom telling me Gram had passed away. I wasn’t quite comprehending. I had just spoken with her a few days before, and she seemed fine. And now she’s gone? Gone? Gone. She had gotten sick right after her birthday, and not recovered. I was in shock. Gram was my favorite person in the whole world. She was the crazy old lady who showed me anything was possible and taught me how to be the most authentic version of myself. She was why I adventured. She was why I was here on the Trail. And now she’s gone.

I cried that day. For miles, I cried. I wrote a poem for her at a shelter with a beautiful view of the mountains. I sang a song or two in my horrible singing voice, which Gram always said was beautiful. I realized I would have to get off the trail for a little while to go back to the funeral.

Rutland and Making Plans

I crossed into Vermont with a heavy heart, and when I arrived in Rutland, VT, I stayed at the Yellow Deli for a few days to figure out my plans. Gram was from Massachusetts, and my mom grew up in Lowell, Mass. My mom still had friends there so she contacted one of her best friends from her hang gliding days. He said he would be happy to pick me up at Mt. Graylock and get me to Boston to fly back home.

Also during my time in Rutland, a partial solar eclipse passed overhead. Around ten hikers stood on the roof of the Yellow Deli and watched the celestial show. (I will talk more about the Yellow Deli later in this series as I had another stay with them.)

Mama Duck showed up at the Yellow Deli and gave me a big hug when she found out what had happened. She was an amazing friend to someone whom she met only a few times. Over the next few days to Mt. Graylock, she hiked with me and helped me process everything.

Getting Off the Trail

After Rutland, the miles to Massachusettes came easily, with a nicely graded trail and the mud mostly drying up. Time flew with someone to talk to, and before I knew it, I was in Massachusetts. I gave Mama Duck a long hug and told her I’d see her on down the Trail.

My mom’s friend John picked me up in North Adams and took me out to eat, then drove me down to Lowell. John was an amazing guy, and I spent two nights with him as my flight was scheduled two days later. On my day off, he showed me around Lowell, took me out to eat and to a bar (refusing to let me pay for anything), and took me to the cemetery where my grandfather–whom I never met–was buried and where Gram’s ashes would be laid to rest. John even let me leave all my gear at his place when I flew out, to be picked up on the way back to the Trail.

There and Back Again

The next day I boarded a plane, then spent the next week with my brothers and my mom’s side of the family. My mom’s sisters are spread all over the world, so it was really nice seeing everyone together. Gram wasn’t one for sad days, so we had a celebration of life to remember her. The next day we had a picnic on the lake and my brothers and I went out paddling.

A few days with the family, and in no time, I was on a plane back to the Trail. John picked me up at the airport, and I spent one more night with his family.

In the morning, John drove me back up to North Adams, and he took me out to eat one more time before sending me on my way. What an amazing guy!

And that’s where we’ll end for now! 600 miles into the Trail, and 1,600 to go!

What’s Next

Up next! We’ll breeze through Connecticut, go Deli Blazing in New York, and hike through a Zoo! Feel free to drop a comment below to share your thoughts or give feedback! See you on Friday!