All Hail the Vermont Maple Creemee (Day 128)

I dragged myself out of my quilt before dawn to watch the sunrise from the cabin porch. This is one of the few locations I’ve camped on the AT that offers an incredible view of both the sunset and sunrise.

Sunrise in the Mountains 

The sun peeked over the horizon just before 7 AM, lighting up the mountains below it. Despite my tiredness, I’m glad I forced myself to get up and watch it happen. In normal life, I think we very rarely watch a sunrise willingly.

The Vermont Maple Creemee

I hiked the first 6 miles of the day early, happily arriving at my first pitstop by midmorning. Abracadabra Coffee Company and the On the Edge Farmstand were just down the road from the Woodstock, VT trailhead. I stopped at the farmstand for a nectarine and Gatorade before making my way down to the coffee shop. 

I ordered my signature vanilla latte and the highly recommended Vermont maple creemee. It’s essentially vanilla soft serve infused with pure maple syrup, and so many hikers had ordered me to try it before leaving the state. As a local delicacy, I felt that I had to oblige, and was not disappointed.

Last Vermont Miles

After my long morning break, it was hard to force myself back up the trail. Just like the last few days, there was a lot of ascent and descent today. It seems Vermont isn’t keen on letting us out easily. I try to consider it training for the White Mountains, because the trail is only going up from here (literally). 

I hiked almost 20 miles and pitched my tent for the night in a trail angel’s yard. Linda lives just off the AT near the Vermont border, and allows hikers to camp in her yard for free. She is so kind, handing out sodas (which she pays for out of her own pocket) to all the hikers who roam through.

All of us hikers ordered takeout to the house, then ate and talked on the porch. We were also kept company by Linda’s sweet dog, Max, and her kitty cat, Millie. We could see some thunder and lightning in the distance before bed, and I heard rain hitting my tent as I drifted off to sleep. Tomorrow we walk into New Hampshire.