Connecticut

Day 58, August 4

We set off at 5:04 am and walked quite a while in dim light of the dense canopy and the overlying clouds. A magnificent large owl landed in a tree nearby. It peered at us, then at is surrounds a few times, and took silently to flight again.

We stopped at Webatuk Shelter for a short breakfast break. The shelter caretaker was absent, but he was obviously quite enthused with his position. It resembled a well preened prisoners camp, with rules posted conspicuously. Shortly we met a south-bound hiker who greeted us perfunctorily. Rarely do thru-hikers relate to us. They don't consider us one of their kind, because of our small backpacks.

Three miles south of the Ten Mile River Campground we crossed into Connecticut: state number ten. At the campground we drew water from a hand pump. The trail followed the Housatonic River a short ways, then followed roads a few miles, before climbing into the mountains again. Connecticut's trails were more abrupt, and soon had us sweating heavily. Connecticut could lay claim to only fifty-one miles of the AT, and it was apparently going to make every mile count.

Eventually we reached Conn 341 Click on "trail segment"
select "terrain"
then zoom out , where we left the AT to walk into Kent and the post office: an eight-tenths detour, according to the Data Book - but 1.4 mile according to our DR. Four north-bounders were cowering in the shade of the post office building. We collected our resupply parcel and carried it across the street to the Laundromat. The proprietress did not seem fond of hikers, for we soon found ourselves consigned to the back porch feeling rather like third graders. The sun was hot and encroaching upon our minuscule shade, so we moved to the shade of a nearby tree. Incidentally, of the things I liked to have laundered, my pack was the one utmost. Because I did not wear a shirt while hiking, the pack became quite grimy.

From the laundry we proceeded to the grocery store and bought a load of supplies. After picnicking on the nearby grass we walked back out of town the way we had come, back up the hill, and rejoined the trail about three hours after we had left it. As we had not received our two priority mail packages from "friends" at home, we had telephoned and left a message on the machine to stop sending them altogether.

Climbing abruptly again, and descending the Caleb's Peak far side, I reminisced to Jenny about some of my earlier adventure experiences prior to the start of our relationship, simply to keep our minds occupied.

After walking along River Road to its end, we enjoyed a delightful bath in the river, and then in the dark followed the trail by flashlight a couple more miles before stopping at 9:20.

Day's mileage: 28.9

Day 59, August 5

After my night of coughing (the lingering remnants of the flu) we set off at 5:08 am. The morning was cool enough to require shirts and wind jackets. For a few miles the trail followed the peaceful Housatonic River, swirling in river smoke; then it climbed into the mountains. The climbing and descending were not quite as arduous today, and we reveled also in the day's coolness. For about an hour we hiked with the sound of cars roaring around a race track at the bottom of Sharon Mountain. The amount of noise they made, and the distance the noise carried, was surprising.

While descending yet again to the river, we encountered another large rattlesnake. We were pacing quickly with Jenny in the lead, when suddenly we heard the buzzing, behind her but ahead of me. I searched for the creature for a few long moments, then I saw the source of the rattles, about 6 feet away. Imagine my chagrin to follow the body nearly to my bare legs. The head of the monster was fairly at my feet. I stepped quickly back. It was considerably smaller than the first rattler we had seen back in Virginia, but still it was quite large - perhaps four feet in length with a long string of rattles.

Once at the river we left the trail and walked two-tenths mile to the Village Coffee Shop and Restaurant Click on "trail segment"
select "terrain"
then zoom out . There we found three large backpacks parked outside, not far from the cars. Entering the restaurant, we sat adjacent the three hikers, and enjoyed a pleasant conversation. They were six-month sloggers by design, and did not want to reach the end before their six month term. I found this view refreshing. To our surprise, they had heard of us, and knew a few of the details of our trek.

Jenny and I left the restaurant but missed the junction where the AT turned into the woods. By the time we had backtracked to it, the three hikers were powerhiking well ahead of us.

After a pleasant climb and amble, we descended to US 44 Click on "trail segment"
select "terrain"
then zoom out , and while I sat writing, Jenny walked-jogged packless half a mile to the Salisbury grocery to buy a couple of bags of groceries.

We set off again, and in fading light climbed Lions Head Mountain. From there we carried on by flashlight until 9:35 pm, when we pitched the tent near the trail.

Day's mileage: 30.0