AT Day 120: Last Day in Vermont to Norwich

Daily Miles: 19.5, Total Miles: 1,753.5

A mix of town and country today. Out of the forest this morning into a rural area with farms, some with sheep, and large properties. Further on, I saw a string of small diameter tubing wrapped around and connecting several trees. Saw this a few other times in VT, wow, these are maple trees! Wouldn’t it be great to tap into the tube and drink pure maple syrup. If only it was that easy!

About mid-day, I ran into Roadie and Oadie (for the third time?) having lunch by the trail having lunch swatting gnats away from their food. They are shuttling two cars and section hiking this part of the AT, usually southbound.

As I got further along today, I realized I could make it to Norwich VT by late this afternoon. So I called the Norwich Inn, established in 1797, and just off the trail. I thought maybe a senior discount may work and it did, 20% off on a weekday!

At the end of another really humid day, I arrived in Norwich just as the schools were letting out, this being the last week before summer break. I checked into the Inn and discovered that it was the inspiration for the old Bod Newhart Show. In the show, Bob was a resident innkeeper. The shower was much appreciated after such a hot, sweaty day. The restaurant was closed today but the bar was open. I enjoyed a cold IPA, went back to the room and had one of better backpacking meals, Chicken Coconut Curry. The bed and the AC feel great!

New birds today: Brown Creeper and a Winter Wren.