Bennington, VT

After a 1:00am flight from Denver, Colorado to Albany, New York and a 2-hour bus ride, I made it back to Bennington, Vermont and the Catamount Motel. I'll be getting back on trail at Route 9 / Woodford Hollow, mile 1618, late tomorrow morning.

Life followed me back to the trail this year. I left my job and moved out of my apartment in Boulder, Colorado this week, and I'm looking for a new apartment in Durango, Colorado. I have a video phone call with a potential landlord tomorrow morning. I asked the hotel owner, Pete, for a late checkout and ride back to the trail. I don't think he remembers me from last year. If you stop in Bennington, I highly recommend staying here. Pete is great.

Thinking about the miles ahead helps to stay present and leave normal life behind. I'm ahead of the bubble of thru-hikers this year. I'm expecting mud, rain, and bugs. I'm thinking about all of the memories from last year: the conditions, the hikers, and the trail.