Mile 1595 – Sherman Brook To Mile 1607 – Congdon Shelter
Even with our limited experience so far, we can tell the trail is changing as we progress north. More rocks and more remote. Our daily routine is becoming more ingrained and is a strangely comforting constant among our ever-changing environment.

The trail can be rocky
Part of the inspiration for the AT came from Vermont’s Long Trail. Today we not only crossed into a new state, but also joined another trail, as the AT coincides with the LT for a while. It has been fun to encounter a completely new group of hikers. The trail is quite busy lately with the northbound and southbound AT bubbles now overlapping with LT through hikers.

Entering Vermont
We have a little ritual for state border crossings where we discuss the best and worst parts of the previous state, our goals for the next, and something that our hiking partner did in the last state for which we are thankful. I was surprised to hear that the highlight of Massachusetts for Rocket was getting to walk in a cloud on Mt. Greylock.

Vermud wastes no time living up to its nickname

A bit of sun

Rocket got a little dirty today
Does Vermont have bears?
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Apparently Vermont has a “healthy population” of 6,500 black bears. https://www.mychamplainvalley.com/news/living-along-side-of-black-bears-in-vermont/1179005740
Vermont also is the least populated state in the Union (under 650,000 people) so that’s about 1 bear per small town of 1,000 people. #themoreyouknow #pitcrew
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We are really enjoying your stories and photos. I’m really glad you two get to have this amazing adventure together! Thank you for sharing it with us too. My 3 little boys are completely in awe of Rocket!
-Jenn, Brenda’s Purdue friend! 🙂
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