When we start this morning the temperature is in the 50’s – I’m sure friends in Dallas don’t want to hear this. On our way out of New York state we cross the Hudson River and find ourselves on NY 2E. After all the bragging about NY roads the past two days, 2E is terrible. There isn’t 2 square feet of contiguous pavement. Add steep climbs and it’s no fun. After 12 miles and 400 feet of climbing, we turn on route 7 and the road is much, much better.
At mile 32.8 we enter Vermont and NY 7 becomes Vt 9. In Old Bennington, the first building is the church in the photo and Larry says, “You can tell we’re now in New England”. I think New England has the most attractive towns in America. They all look like they’re out of a movie set. They’re typically small and appear friendly. Old Bennington is also having a Moose Festival and there are 15 to 20 moose painted and decorated every way imaginable.
In addition to attractive towns, Vermont is a beautiful state with mountains, forests, streams and lakes. The main mountains are the Green Mountains, part of the Appalachians.
According to my data, we climbed more today than any of the previous 47 days, even more than when we crossed Teton Pass. There were officially only two relatively small mountains to cross today but that is only part of the story. In New England, somewhat like in East Texas, you’re always climbing because the hills are constant. And then the 38 miles from Latham to the start of the first mountain was also a gradual climb. The first climb was by far the most difficult, 8 miles of 7 and 8% grade. This mountain doesn’t have a name and there was no vista at the top. The second mountain, Hogback Mountain (has a name) was much easier – less than four miles of 5 at 6% grade (I didn’t use my granny gear.) and it had a spectacular vista, “100 mile vista” according to local advertising.
It’s Saturday and you’re got to remember that New England has had a shitty summer. So with the great weather we’ve brought, everybody and their dog is out and about. Every town we go through has some type of art show, or famers market or festival – there was something at the band stand in Brattleboro which we passed on our way to the hotel. All of these people on the road didn’t help us; we had a lot of traffic on most roads today.
Last night at dinner Cindy asked which was our most favorite and least favorite state (so far). I said NY was my favorite and WY was least favorite. Russ, Cindy’s husband, said WY was his favorite and NY his less favorite. Go figure.
We all know that Vermont and New Hampshire are “skinny” states, depending how far north you are. But this is ridiculous; we’ve been in Vermont for 46.4 miles and 1 more mile tomorrow and we’re in New Hampshire. You couldn’t get from Dallas to Fort Worth in that distance. But New Hampshire is our FINAL state; the end is at hand.
Day 48, 79 miles, 4,796 feet climbed, 6.2 hrs. 3,619 miles so far
2 days remaining, 148 miles remaining
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