Day 12 (July 6th)

Day 12 was another long, 15+ mile day. I am stealth camping by a stream about 7 miles from Hanover, New Hampshire. Tomorrow will be the last day in Vermont. Met a guy at the shelter last night who teaches at Eastern Tennessee State and knows my niece, Shara, her husband, Dan, and even their daughter, Maddy. Shara also teaches there. Small world. Came by some long lines connected to trees in the forest. They were about half an inch plastic tubes for conducting Maple sap to be made into the famous Vermont syrup. Quite a long network connecting lots of trees. I've also been amazed by the ubiquitous stone walls that show up randomly in the Vermont forests. Unbelievably hard work done in colonial times. Found some more trail magic coming off a mountain today. Someone left a cooler with water, cookies, candy bars, and graham crackers with a sign specifically inviting 2014 thru-hikers to enjoy. I did! The infamous White Mountains of New Hampshire are the next test. I hope Vermont has put me in shape. Take care.