| 8/4/99 | I got an early start out of Glen Brook lean-to. The last part of Mass. and the first part of Conn. is rocky and slowed my pace going through it. I crossed the state line with enthusiasm, for another state down. I was able to pick up my pace once I got over Bear Mt. It happens to be the first Mt I hit in Conn. and is It's tallest. I made good time covering the 13.5 miles to the road to Salisbury. I stepped out of the woods and I threw out my thumb and the first car that went by stopped for me. The woman drove me the .8 miles to town. I picket up some food, lunch and checked my email. Made it back to the trail by 3:00. I wasn't planning on going too much farther. Just about 4.7 to the Limestone Spring Lean-to. I got to the side trail that lead to the shelter. I knew it was .5 off the trail, but I didn't know it was almost straight down. I looked down in the direction of the shelter and couldn't see it. Screw it! I would rather spend my energy on the trail. With about 3 hours of daylight I continued on. Conn. has done a poor job on spacing out it's camping spots. They are either too far apart or clustered together. Which results in thru-hikers illegally camping along the trail. Anyway, with the terrain as easy as it was I made good time down to the next town. Where they had a hydro-electric plant. Outside they have a shower head and faucet that thru-hikers can use. The cold shower felt good. I ate diner there and covered the last 3 miles to the next designated campsite, Belter Campsite. It was dark already and I was tired. I just laid out my tarp and went to bed. Today's mileage 24.7 Total Trail Mileage 695.4 |
| 8/5/99 | Since I did a long day yesterday I am cutting today short. The terrain is still pretty nice. Mostly flat with a few rocky stretches. I got off to an early start and the humidity just hung in the air. I was 4 miles from the shelter when it poured on me. I got completely soaked. It will be 7 miles tomorrow into Kent, I will pick up my packages and try to do laundry to dry things out. Depending on how much time I spend in Kent will determine if I leave Conn. tomorrow or the next day. Today's mileage 15.2 Total Trail mileage 710.6 |
| 8/6/99 | With soaked boots from yesterday I made my way town. The road to Kent was 7 miles away and .8 down the road. The 7 miles had some steep climbs and good views of the valley below. Kent is a quaint town with all the hiker necessities stuck in one corner of the town. The post office, outfitter, grocery store, Laundromat and bank all in the same area. The one thing the town is missing is a hostel. Anyway, I went to the post office and picked up 2 packages. One from my parents with my maps and some trail mix in it. 2nd from my friends from church. They set me up right with an assortment of goodies. I made my phone call into the family to see how everything was going. Finished up my laundry and re-supplied and grabbed a sandwich and a quart of milk and headed out of town. I ate my lunch under the bridge by the Housatonic River. I watched 3 elderly people fishing and let the heat of the day flow by with the river. I started back down the trail and contemplated where I would stop for the day. I actually planned for a short day today. I went ahead and decided I had enough daylight for an easy pace to Ten Mile River and lean-to. I did the 8.7 miles and finished up by 7:30. It looks like I will have the shelter to myself tonight. Which is good it makes getting up and out easier in the morning. Today's mileage 15.7 |