The day started with several steep climbs over nameless peaks. It seemed like Vermont was determined to throw all it had at us in the time we had left there. At times the trail was difficult to find and follow with the in frequent blazes and leaves covering the ground.

In between hills were grass filled pastures, some of which were dotted with wildflowers near the trail.

Just in time for lunch, the trail passed near Cloudland Farm Market. I stopped with Luna and Spice, two other thru hikers,  and had a sandwich and some very good small batch ice cream made by the farm.

Throughout much of the day,  I kept seeing rubber tubing strung between trees. I didn’t realize until a section hiker told me, it was for Maple Syrup!

The afternoon wound down through a nice stand of towering pine trees offering cool shade and outstanding scenery.

I met up with about a dozen hikers at a house just across from the White River at a house owned by a guy named Randy. He is well known for hosting and feeding hikers. Sure enough, I was welcomed on the large porch with a plate loaded with scrambled eggs and a cooler of beer and soda.

After hanging out for a while, we all walked over to the river and took turns jumping off the bridge into the cool clear water of the White River.

About a dozen of us decided stayed at Randy’s in a loft above the garage. We ordered pizza and stayed up into the night playing cards and having a good time.  Tomorrow brings New Hampshire!