[tkln]

Yup, McDonalds was there, and actually for a while...but it looked nothing like a McDonalds!!! It was designed to look like some New England building and they only had that one tiny sign so you knew what it was. I won't lie, ate there many summers when I was younger.

It's ironic as there is a Subway within the one 24/7 gas station on 108 and no one says anything about that....

There are some good cheap places to eat, but definitely not many of them. I think staying off 108 gives you more options too....that is definitely tourist trap central!

[flu189]

Originally Posted by tkln

Yup, McDonalds was there, and actually for a while...but it looked nothing like a McDonalds!!! It was designed to look like some New England building and they only had that one tiny sign so you knew what it was. I won't lie, ate there many summers when I was younger.

It's ironic as there is a Subway within the one 24/7 gas station on 108 and no one says anything about that....

There are some good cheap places to eat, but definitely not many of them. I think staying off 108 gives you more options too....that is definitely tourist trap central!

It's definitely a different world there. I know from a Long Trail hiker's perspective trying to get a hitch on 108 into town to get supplies means a very long hump as nobody will stop. I did it once and never again will I try to provision there. At least down in Manchester, Vt on Rte 11 even if you are humping along with a pack cars will stop and offer a ride.

[tkln]

It's funny....I always see hitchers and I'm always tempted to stop, but as a female, I gotta say, it makes me nervous. And I was never a big horror movie person either.

[flu189]

Originally Posted by tkln

It's funny....I always see hitchers and I'm always tempted to stop, but as a female, I gotta say, it makes me nervous. And I was never a big horror movie person either.

I don't blame you for being cautious. It just gets a bit frustrating when traffic volume is high and you can't score a hitch even in the bed of a pickup truck. Actually, in Manchester the Long Trail coincides with the Appalachian Trail so there are many more actual thru hikers passing through for both the AT and LT. Therefore locals are much more used to seeing actual hikers versus day trippers. In Stowe and up at the trail crossing the vast majority of hikers are actually day hikers. The only reason for a long distance hiker to slack there is to avoid rough weather on the ridge (which is what I was trying to do) or to get off due to injury.

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by Lilybeans

Bitter?

Not at all....
You have to remember -- I am a penguin walking flatlander.
When I land, it's flat on my tushie!

The people I described I see on a daily basis in NY (hence the cawfee) and they are total drive though fiends here. Drive through Starbucks, DD, dairy stores, pharmacy -- you name it!

I can seriously picture the drive through coffee shop in Mt Snow.

[NYLIER]

Originally Posted by flu189

I don't blame you for being cautious. It just gets a bit frustrating when traffic volume is high and you can't score a hitch even in the bed of a pickup truck. Actually, in Manchester the Long Trail coincides with the Appalachian Trail so there are many more actual thru hikers passing through for both the AT and LT. Therefore locals are much more used to seeing actual hikers versus day trippers. In Stowe and up at the trail crossing the vast majority of hikers are actually day hikers. The only reason for a long distance hiker to slack there is to avoid rough weather on the ridge (which is what I was trying to do) or to get off due to injury.

Have you ever read the book "Walking to Vermont". Quite interesting about a man from NYC that retires and hikes from NYC to his home in VT.

[flu189]

Originally Posted by NYLIER

Have you ever read the book "Walking to Vermont". Quite interesting about a man from NYC that retires and hikes from NYC to his home in VT.

Didn't read the book, but did read excerpts back when I was stationed in AK.

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by NYLIER

Have you ever read the book "Walking to Vermont". Quite interesting about a man from NYC that retires and hikes from NYC to his home in VT.

Great read. I had a hard time putting it down.

[flu189]

Speaking of long walks for those that like to read about them I remember enjoying Peter Jenkin's two part Walk Across America back in the late 70's. A very neat perspective of seeing the country and the people who make up the cities and small waysides.

[GypsySoul22]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

Not at all....
You have to remember -- I am a penguin walking flatlander.
When I land, it's flat on my tushie!

You are not the only one. I feel like a weirdo on the ice while all these natives just cruise on by walking their dogs, running, hiking. Even with good boots I am always scared of slipping. I constantly yell at the dog to slow down before she pulls me over on the ice. My son and I walk like penguins. I never liked ice, even in NY.

I am dreaming of spring!!