From my Experience: Towns

Towns are a part of the trail experience and I have a few must stops to recommend.

(1)        Whistlestop Café   – I’ve only heard good things about this dinner even though I didn’t stop there. Something about their sweet potato fries, and ice cream sundaes… http://www.menupix.com/vermont/restaurants/4501484/Whistle-Stop-Restaurant-North-Clarendon-VT

(2)        Manchester Center, VT – make sure to make a reservation at the Green Mountain House Hostel run by Jeff at a cost of $20. He will pick you up in Manchester Center, take you back to the Hostel, and then take you back to the trailhead. This price includes a warm, homey feeling house, shower, laundry, loan clothes, a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, tv, internet, and kitchen. No alcohol allowed but dogs are welcome. The End to Ender’s Guide states that it is $15 dollars but that is WRONG. Your experience at the Green Mountain House Hostel will go well beyond $20 dollars…TRUST ME.

(3)        Rutland, VT – stay at the Inn at the Long Trail on VT 4. You can tent across from the Inn for FREE. Breakfast is included in the price if you get a room. This isn’t the continental breakfast you may be accustomed to at a HOJO along an interstate. It is AMAZING!!!! The pub is open for lunch/dinner and has live bands on the weekends. I’d recommend the soda bread and beef stew. If you have time, hitch 15 miles West to the Long Trail Brewery and have lunch/dinner.

(4)        Waitsfield, VT – laundry, resupply, and The Hyde Away Inn and Restaurant (http://www.hydeawayinn.com/) Excellent service and a little pricey for what I’m use to but the food was fantastic, relaxing atmosphere, hospitable staff, and they even folded our laundry for us. Highly recommend stopping here and mentally prepping for Burnt Rock Mountain, Camel’s Hump, Bolton Mountain, and Mount Mansfield leading into Stowe.

(5)        Richmond, VT – isn’t far from the trail and was an easy hitch from VT 2. Excellent local diner and a grocery store for resupply. I recommend this option rather than a resupply at the PO at Jonesville OR you could always do both.

(6)        Stowe, VT – eat at Frida’s! http://www.fridastaqueria.com/ MOST AMAZING FOOD EVER!!!! The End to Ender’s guide recommends staying at the Green Mountain Inn especially if you are a GMC member (which I am) for $79.50/night…DON’T! Not hiker friendly. I recommend going to the visitor center a few blocks from the Green Mountain Inn (http://www.gostowe.com/about/visitor-services) and ask about lodging. We found a sweet room for 4 above Frida’s for $97 (split 4 ways). Stowe is a typical tourist town. I would recommend getting a maple creamee while doing your laundry in Stowe.

(7)        Johnson, VT – If you can swing an additional night in Stowe instead of staying in Johnson, I’d recommend it. The grocery store in Johnson recently closed so the last sweet resupply going NOBO is the Shaw’s in Stowe. If you are planning on resupplying in Johnson, then I would recommend a maildrop to that location.

(8)        North Troy, VT – stay at the North Troy Bed and Breakfast with Sam and Norm. Words cannot experience their hospitality and willingness to help hikers. Sam cooks a mean vegetarian breakfast in the morning. They have the most adorable cat too. Prices are completely reasonable. $35 dollars for a single and $60 for a double. If you are planning a SOBO, they will give you a ride to the trailhead. If you are a NOBO and you just finished your hike, they are willing in pick you up from/near the trailhead if you have cell service to contact them. Also, Norm works in Bennington, VT during the week and will be more than happy to let you accompany him on his drive to work. This is a great opportunity if you are trying to get back to some sort of civilization to travel home as Bennington has bus options or perhaps even a rental car.