live free or die...probably die

ok, this is amazing, we  got back on the trail in vt...best state in the union, which i have said before.  we had an awesomely rainy night the night we got back...set up the tent, made some dinner, then curled up in our sleeping bags while our tent stood up to the deluge.  although it was a little loud, we managed to get some sleep.  laugh track's friend jason was coming out the next day to hike with us, so we had a leisurly morning waking up, waiting for him.  when we arrived, we started out hiking, through some of the prettiest mountains we have seen. beautiful pine forests, soft mossy ground, rocks strewn about the path.  we passed a lot of rock sculptures, carins, and southbounders.  took some pictures on some views, saw the rutland airport from the top of a mountian, and met up with some friends we hadn't seen in a while!  stayed at a PACKED shelter, we hadn't seen so many people in one place since the smokies! got woken up by a moose call the next morning, as well as an insanely loud thru hiker's dulcet tones.  jason didn't feel too well the next day, so after a breakfast of delicious bacon and eggs at the whistle stop cafe, we headed into rutland to resupply, chill out and relax.  checked out a movie, headed to the long trail brewery, and turned in for the night.  the next day was to be jason's last, and a friend from home, bobby, came out to visit on the slopes of killington, so we hung out all day, rode the alpine slides at pico mountain, and went BACK to the long trail brewery.  i mean, it had been so long since we had good beer, we had to make the best of it.  pretty much stayed there till closing, having good conversation and drinking and eating nachos!  headed back to the trail, bobby took his leave of us, and we stealth camped by the road.  hiked on, through some gorgeous forests, that kind where every footfall is muffled by soft pine needles and the sun filters down through dark firs, giving the woods a dark and powerful feeling.  bright green moss covers everything, and brings to mind every scene setting in every fantasy book ever written.  at a road crossing we got some trail magic, some of our first in vt! from santa's helper, who we hadn't seen since waynesboro, va!  talked with him while sipping rootbeer and eating nutty bars.  had a peaceful sit by kent pond while watching loons dive for food, then decided to get on into woodstock, where we walked around to the bookstores, and sat on their common cooking dinner and taking pictures of the covered bridge.  we stealth camped in the middle of town next to the welcome center, and booked it out of there and to a cafe where we sipped coffee, ate corned beef hash and eggs, read books, and wrote post cards.  headed out once again towards new hampshire! only two states left!  got into hanover last night, walked around, geocached, made friends with some locals, had a preliminary girls night at the salt hill pub where we caught up with our friend bandit, now known as pair of aces.  signed their wall with our names, Laugh track headed back to secure our spots at the frat while I watched the red sox game...i may or may not have gotten in a small tiff with a local about ivy league education and the red sox...not sure how those are connected, but they seemed to be last night.  then headed up to one of the frat houses and crashed on their floor under their pong tables.  headed into town today to get some burritos, catch a movie, and gear up to hit mount moosilaki (or however you spell it) on monday!  5 miles of straight up...cant wait!! here we come new hampshire! live free or die!!!!