Adventures as a family
Someday is today
Day 22 on the Vermont Long Trail
The rain continued through the night. The sound of the wind and rain on the shelter was loud yet peaceful in a way. We knew we needed to move forward but decided to try to let the weather ease up before heading out. We all laid on one of the bunks and played cards and Tiny Turtle read to us. It was chilly so the Family Mule made us a little fort on the bunk with the tents footprint. It was fun! The kids loved it especially.
Around 11 am we decided to just go for it. We did prepare for rain during training. We need to cover 8 miles today which would put us at Monteclair Glen Lodge. We want to be as close to Camels Hump for the next days push. It was going to be very rough terrain especially with the rain but we are here for the adventure, so we psyched ourselves up and headed out!
As expected we were soaked quickly. We have rain gear which does a great job but with as much water as we had to go through our shoes and socks could not stay dry. The trail was covered in water and the parts that were not covered were extremely slick. What used to be small stream areas were now heavy flowing water/water falls. They were gorgeous but crossing was a little tricky at times. Slips and falls are just part of hiking a wet trail. Actually it is part of the adventure. The trick is to just be as graceful as possible, get back up with confidence, and move forward. Again I can not stress how much I love having trekking poles because it saves some wear and tear on the body, prevents many falls, and they can also be used to help pull someone over a large rock. Yes the Family Mule used my trekking poles to help us several times!
We made it to Cowles Cove Shelter pretty quickly. It was a very small three sided shelter. The inside was wet but I am unsure if it was because it leaked or the wind was blowing the rain in. The log book had entries from some of our hiker friends. One noted she saw a bear at this shelter! We had our lunch there and then continued on the journey. Close to the time we were ready to continue, another hiker with his tiny dog showed up. He was the same hiker from last night. Very nice guy and the dog was very good. The dog was too small to hike much of the trail so he carried her in his jacket most the way he said. He was planning to leave the trail before Camels Hump so he did not have to far to go.
After leaving the shelter towards Monteclair, the terrain became more strenuous in terms of rock scrambles, water crossings, ladders, and ropes yet the views were so wonderful that this stretch of trail became one of our favorites. I found it easier to attach my trekking poles to my backpack during the rock scrambles because you need your hands to climb of course. Family Mule would keep a hold of one of the trekking poles in order to help us over some of the rocks.
This stretch of trail would be easier if it was not wet but it was a little added challenge for us that we embraced and enjoyed. The trail came to a roped section. You had to repel using the rope because the rock slab did not have many foot holds heading down. It was wet and extremely slick. Family Mule and Tiny Turtle made it down without issues. Taking it nice and slow was key. Dreamer had minor slips but kept herself on the rock for the most part. I went last. As much as I hate to admit this, it was a little scary going down this slick slab because I felt like I was going to slide right down with my slick shoes. It is funny because I have repelled tons of times and never had an issue but this particular area just seemed very risky but I had do it. I have a pair of Merrells, which are wonderful hiking shoes once they are broke in but on these slick rocks it was like wearing ice skates! It felt I couldn’t get traction. Family Mule made sure I did not fall once I was in reach anyway.
Dreamer took a lot of falls today. Even Family Mule had a few falls. He generally stays upright for the most part. Luckily we did not have any serious injuries considering the terrain. I was very happy to reach Monteclair because my knees and ankles were screaming because of the up and down’s but I still wouldn’t trade the experience. Family Mule is now also having trouble with some swelling and pain in the ankles and one knee. He says its not bad yet! I hope it gets better quickly.
Monteclair is a four-sided shelter with a door. The door has a bar lock across it to keep the bears out. They named the lock the “Bear-
Acade”. The shelter has had bear problems in the past. The shelter is average size with a small table on one side and two bunks, which extend the length of the shelter. A bear box is located outside, which we utilized. Two picnic tables are located outside of the shelter for use. It was nice to see in the log book that several hikers we had met left us notes and words of encouragement! We made dinner outside on the picnic tables. Surprisingly we are still not tired of eating the mashed potatoes. Although Tiny Turtle talked about food for 8 miles today! Dreamer and Tiny Turtle made me a grocery list for when we get home. Needless to say, the list is very long. Our family took the top bunk and the other two hikers took the bottom bunk. We are hoping for a good nights rest in order to be ready to take on Camels Hump tomorrow!
Adventures as a family 
I went through this section with Shaggy! We resupplied in Waitsfield right after the sugarbush ridge, and met at the Mad Taco. Then some previous thru hikers gave us a ride to the Appalachian Gap trailhead. It started raining hard, so they let us stay at their Air BnB for the night. We got beer, hot dogs, and some other food before hanginf out at their place for the day and night. It was so cool. The next morning the couple took us into Montpelier for breakfast, and we got on trail again at 1 or something. Just as a rain storm was pushing in again. Shaggy and I were kinda hungover, but hiked it off. After burnt rock mountain and that rope descent, shaggy went faster than me and we hiked solo to Montclair glen lodge. I did the last 3 miles in a raging storm with lightning crashing all around me. Talk about exhilarating. Then we played guitar in the shelter the next morning waitong for the sun to make an appearance
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