Grateful for Southern Vermont hospitality

To the Editor:
It was the third night of a five-day adventure race when my teammate and I were mountain biking on top of Mount Snow. Around midnight, a storm with torrential downpours rolled in, which quickly soaked through our rain gear. Our plotted course led us off the mountain and through the town of Dover. In town, the heavy rain continued. We were exhausted after three days of racing, drenched, and covered in grime. We were hungry, we were tired, and we were in desperate need of shelter.
The only place open at 1 am was the 7-Eleven on Route 100. After explaining our situation to the very kind attendant named Bill, we bought some pizza, snacks, and coffee. He allowed us to sleep on the floor for a few hours until the storm cleared. Most reasonable people would have turned away a couple of grimy and soaked vagabonds, but not Bill.
Bill’s actions are emblematic of the people of Vermont. This was the second consecutive year that Rootstock racing sponsored the Endless Mountains Adventure Race in Vermont, bringing participants from around the country and from abroad. Last year, the heat index was over 100°F for several days and some strangers, in a passing car, offered popsicles as we crept up a steep mountain road. Every small town has plenty of locals who are happy to chat and tell us about their wonderful home.
Thank you to the people of Southern Vermont, and especially Bill at 7-Eleven in Dover.
Chadrick Denlinger
Indianapolis, IN