Date: 2004-07-22
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Mt. Algo Lean-to
Miles today: 21.4

A lot of milestones occurred today. I have been four months on the trail, I hit the 2/3rd mark, I crossed the CT state border, and I have reached New England.I also chose one of the hottest and humid days to pull a 20 miler. It wasn't easy but had a few blessings along the way.I left the shelter early to avoid the blaring sun. Even though it was foggy, I could tell humidity and temps were going to be high. I managed to get the open field crossings out of the way before the heat got intense.I didn't sleep well in the shelter because of the persistent whining noise in my ear. The mosquitoes are relentless in their quest for blood.At around ten, I arrived at Wiley Shelter. Half Moon walked upon the premise from the south. He had rented a car and was taking it easy before meeting his wife in NY for the weekend. Because he had a car, he was very eager to help out. But I didn't need anything at that time. I wanted to make as many miles as possible before noon.Wiley had a great water pump where I refilled and stocked up. As I climbed Ten Mile Mtn, I regretted not pouring a bucket of cold well water over my head. I was sweating profusely up and down the mountain. I intended to take advantage of the next shelter pump a few miles away.Instead, I came upon the Ten Mile River and took a dip. Very refreshing. This, followed by resting at the Ten Mile River Shelter, helped revive my senses. I had crossed the CT border and it was only 12:30. I deserved the break.Now or Never arrived and, without resting, hiked with me to Schaghticoke Road. Who should we see there but Half Moon hanging out in his rented pickup. He offered to drive us to the nearby store. Why not? I got some OJ while Now or Never grabbed a pint of Ben & Jerry's. While he ate it at the trail head, I said my good-byes to Half Moon (not sure if I will see him again but appreciate all the info he has given me about the trail) and started north.Schaghticoke Mountain was a bear to climb, especially since the shade offered only 75 degrees of coolness. I saw many day hikers as I ascended. Don't these people work? Part of the way up, Now or Never caught up with me. We sat on a rock resting when a cheerful southbounder showed up. I was beat and in a sour mood so Now or Never did most of the talking. The cheerful hiker was the third southbounder we saw today. He had started in May and was "going slow" he said with a non-committing shrug.At Schaghticoke Mountain Campsite, I told Now or Never that I planned to take a long break and eat dinner. I don't know how, but he kept going. These 60 year olds are leaving me in the dust.I laid out on my thermarest and stared at the sky through the eighty foot trees as I cooled off and eventually fell asleep. I think I was out for ten minutes but that was enough. I cooked dinner, toured the empty campsite, packed up and was back on the trail for another (ridiculous) three miles. We had to climb over two steep humps. PUDS! It was 6:30 and the lows were still 75. I felt feverish. It was just the heat. My knees felt wobbly too.At last I reached Mt. Algo Lean-to. I met Diesel and his son Sleepy. Now or Never stood by his tent and greeted me with applause and "Wasn't that awful?" Everyone at the shelter remarked on the stupidity of the last three miles where there were hellacious climbs but no views. Would we talk this way if it wasn't so hot?With only .3 miles to Kent, I decided I would sleep late tomorrow.Just before crossing the border, I saw the skeletal remains of a large deer. It was horrifying. The carcass was splayed across the trail with very little indication of its demise. I am not sure if the femur was ripped from its body before or after it died. The remains made me wonder why no one had pulled it aside before it decayed to its current state. Great trail maintenance, I thought. Diesel informed me that it takes only three months for animals to decay to skeletons. I guess I should be thankful it wasn't in the process. It would have been like roadkill on the trail.Okay, enough grossing out readers. Back to the program.