Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
June 7
Today we left Canada at the town of Rock Island, Vermont, and entered
the United States at Derby Line, Vermont, which, as far as I could see,
was the same town. Vermont produces more maple syrup than any
other state in the United States, and its attractions don't end with that
delicacy. It also boasts excellent skiing, snowboarding, fishing and
hiking. In autumn, the leaves of the trees blaze bright red and deep
brown. Lake Champlain, along whose banks I ran as we headed south,
forms a large part of Vermont's western border. I ran through green
fields, up and down rolling hills and on relatively quiet highways. As
dusk fell tonight, I sat on a whitewashed wooden bench on the bank
of Lake Champlain and had a quiet reflection on how far I've come
and the things I've seen and experienced. And I allowed myself a quiet
moment of pride at the distance I've covered, while not being able to
deny a private shudder at the immensity of the run ahead.
June 8
The temperature reached 30 degrees Celsius in Canada, but today, my
first full day of running in the United States, was
really
hot. The tem-
perature hit the high 30s. Knowing it would be a scorcher, I got off to
an early start before the sun rose, gulped down some cereal and tea
on the road as I walked briskly to warm up, then I was running again.
I make it a rule during the day not to stop running except for a
toilet break, a quick meal or an emergency. Never will I go backwards.
Today, however, with 15 kilometres to go before the end of the run,
we came upon a young man whose motorbike had broken down and
wouldn't start. He was stranded kilometres from any town. I made
an exception for him, because so many of his countrymen, while I
