Sprout Day 81 (Thursday, June 16th, 2016) (NEED PICTURES)

We had a successful day.  It was a beautiful day as far the weather goes and we made it to Vermont! We ended our day with 736 miles, and we are now on the Long Trail. The Appalachian Trail runs along the Long Trail for 100 miles in Vermont. When we got close to the Long Trail we started to see some hikers starting. It was cool to be a part of the beginning of their adventure. It made me think of when we first started our hike and how I felt in the Shenandoah Park back in March. It's crazy to think of how far we've hiked and how much we have learned along the way. It's not easy waking up everyday and hiking along with doing everything that's involved in a backpacking trip but it's been the best experience. I remember the first time I had to hang a food bag and set up my tent in the elements. It was an overwhelming feeling.

I'm glad we got to camp at a reasonable hour because the place started to fill up fast.  There's some thru hikers from Georgia, some flip flippers, and now some people who are starting the Long Trail. As soon as I got to camp I found a good spot for the tent set up and hung the food bags right after that. I got a good fire going for cooking because we are still running low on fuel. The water wasn't too far away and it had good flow.

Right before we got to the Vermont border there was a small town a little over a mile from the AT. There's a guy who lives right down a side road from the town who lets hikers borrow bikes to run into town for resupplies. It was really convenient so I went to the store and bought some Captain Crunch! We received powdered milk in our last food drop and it mixes a lot better than the last dry milk we had so we were excited.

Right before the state border there was a rock garden with an incline.   It was a good way to say goodbye the Massachusetts.  I am excited to get into higher elevation and for the Whites.  Everyday is going to be a battle but I know we will make it through.

Earlier today I went to Money Brook Falls. It was a .7 side trail right by the shelter we stayed at last night.  It was a great way to start the day because it was beautiful. The falls came right off a high cliff and the trail led right to the bottom of the falls. I'm trying to make an effort to take any side trail that I can along the way. This one was definitely worth the extra 1.4 mile round trip.

Day: 81
Miles hiked: 9.9
Total Miles hiked on the trail: 737.8
Bears: 0
Bluegill: 2
Butterflies: 8
Chipmunks: 3
Cows: 24
Crawfish: 1
Deer: 20
Donkeys: 2
Horses: 12
Hummingbird: 1
Inchworm: 1

Really Big Dog: 1
Mice: 2
Nest of bugs: 2
Newts: 2
Owl: 1
Rabbit: 1
Skunk: 1
Snail: 1
Snake: 2
Squirrels: 11
Toads: 3
Trout: 2
Turkeys: 4
Turtles: 107
Vultures: 6
Woodpecker: 1