Lost pond shelter

I see why they called it Lost Pond- there is no pond to be found here. Last night we stayed in Woodstock VT with the parents of Castle, a thru hiker the Timpones picked up last year at the end of her sobo hike. It was awesome, Mrs Macdonald cooked a fantastic dinner for us and we had reeces puffs and coffee and fruit salad for breakfast and even our own bedrooms. Then she made us sandwiches and cheese blocks and packed us also some dried hommus and then drove us to the Long Trail festival in Rutland which wasn't too exciting and then she drove us and also Charlie Day (it's a trail name) back to our trail head. 

She even took us shopping at TJ Max because I was desperately sick of my blue shirt. They had quite the selection of appropriate shirts and boy did I have a hard time picking out the one I will wear for the next seven weeks or more. I finally decided on an organic-purple one. I mean, not actually organic because it's synthetic, but the color is non-garish. Outfit change!! Woo hoo. If I get the chance I will also buy a new skirt because I have tree sap on the back of mine that I have been dealing with for a few weeks now since I sat on a sappy log one day. 

So today we hiked with Charlie, which is fun because I feel like I am in Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia. He attempted to make a fire but it was unfortunately weak sauce. Connor made pudding tonight, a special treat :) 

Today in Rutland we said goodbye to Chip, who is leaving the trail :( He misses his art and is just tired of trail life, he said. We will really miss him. Chip is such a kind, introspective person, very observant. We will visit him in New York City when we get there. 

Tomorrow on the docket is an alpine slide from the top of Bromley Mountain. I don't know what it is exactly but we are going to do it. Then into Manchester Center to stay at the hostel where you get free Ben & Jerrys.