So we strolled into Manchester and met a pack of wild divas. It was exhilarating to observe them in such a natural state. There we stayed at a hostel which offered free Ben and Jery’s (as much as you can eat!) Other than this great hostel, which was more accomadating and comfortable than any hotel I have ever stayed at, Manchester is a rich touristy town that no one lives in with two Post Offices, one of which no one can find and had been hoarding hiker packages!!! From there we followed the divas pungent and somewhat malignant scent through pouring rain and dark night, across the End of Days Bridge (because when this thing is washed out it will be the END OF DAYS) and over Killington to Rutland. I hurt my ankle five miles into a 16.5 miles day so it was nice and swollen. We stayed with the Twelve Tribes, Back Home Again Hostel slash backery slash cafe slash religious community. They were nice enought to let us do a little work for them in exchange for our beds and some food! Some really awesome food!!! They were extremely friendly people and could teach us all a lot about how to mean what you say. From there my ankle was still hurting so we limped into Pittsfield. Here there is a farm owned by the man that owns the whole town, Joe. He lets hikers work for stay as well so we spent the day workin on the farm and building a small part of a wilderness survival course. It was indescribably fun. We could use their bikes to ride around, go swimming in the swimming hole, and there was a lot of free food from the Joe owned restaurant. This town is really going to be on the map in the next couple of years. We also met some quite incredible athletes. Richard the 70 mile day Royal Marine, Selica who can only do 50… Anthony who I am not quite sure could have been created without at least a modicum of genetic manipulation and more! I am not even kidding when I say that I haven’t told you half of them.
Well that is the best I can do for now.
Hope to hear from literally all of you soon!
~Me
Happy trails to you. We so enjoyed meeting you and listening to your wonderful stories about the trail.
Keep up the good work and give Pork a pat for us. We bought a new microwave and now Bob needs you to help
put it up. Oh,well, I guess he’ll have to settle for my help such as it is.
Bob and Nita Toppin
Comment by Anita Toppin — August 8, 2009 @ 15:22
Sounds like you guys are having a blast! Hoping to come visit at some point/place!
Keep up the good hiking!
lydea
Comment by Lydea — August 9, 2009 @ 00:48
Hello Happy Hikers,
Despite the hurt ankle it seems you are having quite the experience. I hope you are fully recovered.
There is nothing like the barter system to get by sometimes. A little yard work for some good eating and comfortable accommodations seems fine by me.
There must be more to the divas story than you’re telling. LOL
The three of you are in my thoughts and I hope it all continues to go well.
Dave and Jack
Comment by Dave — August 9, 2009 @ 12:23
Hi peter,
How is your ankle? I miss U so much!!!!!!!!!!!
It said on your blog U met a pack of wild divas, what do U mean by divas?
I hope to C U soon.
How is Pork? Do U need any supplies for U or him?
When can we come and C U?
GOOD LUCK on the rest of your trip.
Love from Edie
Comment by Edie Bridge #1 — August 11, 2009 @ 21:40
I hope your going to be alright.I hope your ankle is going to be alright. Please be careful with it and don’t break it. Ummmmmmm……. hhhmmmmmm…… mmmmmmmm……… aaaahhhh…….. now I know what to say. Laugh……………………… ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ahh………. I think I want to say laugh…………… OK wait no I know what to say…… OK now I have got it hhhhhhmmmmmm…………… ooooooo……. now I know…….. uuuuuummmmmm….. laugh………… now I know uuuuuummmmm…………….. oh now I remember…. oh fart now ffffffffffffffrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrtttttttttttt…………….. I think I farted……. I know what to say I MISS YOU PETER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love from MARGOT Fart fffffrrrrrrttttttt??????? uh-oh!!!!!
Comment by Margot Bridge — August 11, 2009 @ 22:34
I hope your going to be alright.I hope your ankle is going to be alright. Please be careful with it and don’t break it. Ummmmmmm……. hhhmmmmmm…… mmmmmmmm……… aaaahhhh…….. now I know what to say. Laugh……………………… ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ahh………. I think I want to say laugh…………… OK wait no I know what to say…… OK now I have got it hhhhhhmmmmmm…………… ooooooo……. now I know…….. uuuuuummmmmm….. laugh………… now I know uuuuuummmmm…………….. oh now I remember…. oh fart now ffffffffffffffrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrtttttttttttt…………….. I think I farted……. I know what to say uuummmmm…………… I MISS YOU PETER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love from MARGOT Fart fffffrrrrrrttttttt??????? uh-oh!!!!!
Comment by Margot Bridge and Edie — August 11, 2009 @ 22:37
“we followed the divas pungent and somewhat malignant scent” – You guys make me laugh! Stay out of trouble!
Comment by Doug Berch — August 15, 2009 @ 22:54
Totally cool on your progress. Can not believe how far you guys are going each day now. Your getting close to Maine. How are the mountains? This is your hardest section.
Speaking of Maine, Dave and I will be in Oquesic Maine (between Andover and Rangeley) just over the Maine border on August 28-29-30. Peter, You have been to Moonahanus many times of your life since you were a baby. This is my yearly college retreat on a Brown Island in Mooselookmodundic lake with 10 log cabins. The AT is only 1/4 mile accross the lake and we can see you all as you come over the “height of the Land” trail of the AT. That part the trail has to merge with the road beacuse of the geography.
Brent’s cell phone is 315-445-3062 and my phone will be on. Please come for the night and eat well. We will pick up up by boat. You can sleep in a bed, eat good food and laugh by the giant cabin fire with us and my college friends. This is our 30 anniversay tget together this year. We would love it. As you know, Porkus is totally welcome and safe for him as it is a provate island. In the, morning we will put you back on the trail.
Timing is everything on this part. But you look really close to Maine as of now. Again we are 7 days away from today.
Let’s see if we can meet up.
Love dad and Dave.
Comment by Jack and Dave — August 21, 2009 @ 05:36
Hey guys! We met you at zeland falls hut (blt took a picture of us, dad mom and two girls) you guys were awesome and we loved hearing your stories. Pork was such an amazing dog! We finished our trip yesterday with no horrible accidents and we all hope that you guys have a great rest of your hike:) we hope to hear a more about your trip!
All the best,
the masland-talbot family
P.S. We’ll try not to make AB cry too hard :p
Comment by Anna, Fiona, Pamela, and Larry — August 23, 2009 @ 20:58
Heh Peter- so much fun reading your blog, which is rich in the prose of a wandering vagabond, embracing life to its fullest….so happy for you that you took this time “out” , which probably seems more “in” than most of our human endeavors….really hoping you guys can make it to Moonahanis, but my own vague calculations say it twould be tough, specially hobbled by swollen appendages and funky scented Divas….but Alas! Carry on Mate, do everything and more of what I might do (I hear your dad screaming!…Non!) and maybe we’ll see you soon?? Always welcome to come visit here in Alna…the farm is soooo peaceful…be well and live large!! xx oo ck 207-837-9135
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Comment by Lucina Vennes — November 20, 2010 @ 23:12