Date: 2011-07-24
From: Wiley Shelter Pump Campsite

To: Numeral Rock Trail Campsite
Miles today: 13.2

I'm in for the night at a stealth campsite right before the Numeral Rock Trail outside of Kent, CT.I crossed the NY/CT stTe line this morning. Hard to believe just MA and them the big 3 left. Wow! I'm amazed how quickly the time has passed. If I average 15 mpd, with no zeros, I could finish on 11 Sept. Just not sure what kind of mileage I'll be doing. Today was lower cause, first of all I went to the deli this morning for a bagel, choco milk and coffee. My original plan was to spend the night in Kent so I wasn't rushing. Then it rained on and off all morning which slowed me on the decents. The rocks were slippery and I don't want to fall. Plus I was being social: I met a guy who was trail running 17 miles. What an inspiration. Then I met 4 day hikers; then a dozen teenage girls from a local camp doing a 3 day hike with their guide; 2 south bouncers; a SoBo section hiker, CoolmShoes and a CT Ridge Runner. Not to mention there were some steep ups today. We are getting back into the big mountains.So, he market deli on Bulls Bridge Road is actually a Gulf gas station. They are very nice and have fresh brewed coffee, fresh bagels and a good assortment of food. It's worth the walk if you want treat - B&J ice cream pints. The covered bridge is neat and so is the waterfall along the way. The covered bridge has been there since the 1800s; Washington used the original one.The Housatonic River is really pretty. I always enjoy the sound of moving water. Although I didn't get water from any of the sources what I saw looked good. Speaking of looking good; there are multiple good campsites past the Wiley Shelter, after crossing Duell Howell Road, along the unned stream. Check them out.It felt good to be doing some climbing today. Although it took longer than expected I enjoyed he day and thought the woods felt more like GA where I started.The walk into Kent was hot cause it's along a paved road but it wasn't awful. Kent is a neat little town. Warning: it isn't cheap and lodging is limited and expensive. Also, everything closes early. I missed out on ice cream which was a real bummer. But, I have all clean clothes and food.The Kent IGA is across from the laundromat. The IGA folks are very nice and the store has good variety: multiple brands of couscous and quinoa! The laundromat has, what I think are not nice nice signs to thru-hikers listing all the things we are not allowed to do and that anything we do must be on the back porch. Gosh! Talk about unfriendly. Maybe, instead of being unfriendly, they might consider providing a convenient location for hikers to shower, sort food and hang out. A little bit of nice goes a long way. Sort of like the sign in NY on Old Stormville about not disturbing the neighborhood residents. Really. The hikers didn't put the AT thru the neighborhood and why would we be disturbing the residents. They should know before they purchase a home in that are that the Trail goes down their street.Anyway, I had a very late lunch at Kent Market. Great place! I was going back there for ice cream and some food supply but they were closed so I ended up at Kent Coffee and Chocolate. Oh my! I had a frozen cappuccino with a dark chocolate turtle. Yummy! Reminded me of French Broad Chocolate in Ashrville. I got to meet Glen, an artist from Arizona , who is from Kent, and back doing some work. He was my Trail Angel today and drove me back to the trailhead. Yea! Good luck with your work Glen and your journey.It's warm again tonight. A Kent local told me it should be getting 'chilly' in the evenings when I get along the river...I hope that's soon.Tonight I'm thankful for the reminder it's about the journey not the destination. What a journey it's been. I'm blessed!Saw a deer and 3 or 4 of the cute Orange baby newts, efts.Hike on!Scribbles