Date: 2003-08-12
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 16.4

A big day in the plans didn't go quite as planned...just couldn't plug out all the miles. We got up and going on time...that wasn't it. I have to say that I did not sleep well. I don't really know why, other than maybe my tent was stuffy. It did rain periodically throughout the night, so I had to have my rainfly down. I've gotten so used to having it up, and getting at least a bit of breeze going through my tent, that I may not be able to sleep well with it down, at least not during these warmer weeks. We were on the Trail by 9...two days running...woo-hoo! I felt as if the terrain was pretty flat, with an occasional uphill thrown in for good measure, however, when we got to the first shelter for our break, Gerri said she felt as if she'd been climbing all day. Gray Matter and Lady Bug were at the shelter...we talked with them for a bit. Gray Matter is doing some slack packing and hiking south and north bound (I was very confused!) while Lady Bug is here. They're !using both her car and his to drop him off at points north to hike south. It is confusing, but it works. She starts grad school soon, so is heading out on Friday. We finished our break and moved on another 3.5ish miles to a road that led to a hot dog bus. No kidding, a converted school bus. The woman who ran the place was great! We ate tons! I had Doritos, a blue cheese bacon burger, a hot dog and two cans of iced tea. It was soooo good! Then she had water and ice for us to fill our water bottles. After that, we had a good sized climb ahead of us, and I slightly regretted eating so much. It's hard to strap that hip belt on tightly over a full stomach! I got over it after a mile or so, though. We went around Nuclear Lake, which used to be the site of a nuclear-research facility. It was shut down in the 70's and the site restored in the 90's. I must say, it was quite pretty for a radioactive lake! Actually, most of the hike today was really pretty...it may be !because the terrain WAS pretty, or maybe because for the first time in12 days it didn't rain on us while we were hiking. Anyway, we went through several meadows, as well as woods, so the variety was also nice. We saw the largest oak on the Trail today, as well. It is huge! And located right on the road...of course, I had to give it a hug. I could only fit my arms about 1/5 of the way around it! We were able to fill up our water bottles at someone's house right near there. It's wonderful how many people near the Trail help out like that. I'd have to say that we have received the most and best Trail Magic in NJ and NY...not where we expected it. We kept on moving. Another 2.5 miles from there, the Trail crosses a commuter rail line that goes into CT and NYC. The sign over the stop reads "Appalachian Trail". It was so great...we had to take pictures there! We waited for a bit there, as Lady Bug could take me to a deli where there was a phone...I had some e-mail to send. I'm trying to connect with Nuts and Twigs, now that we are in !their neck of the woods. I also was trying to arrange a stay in Kent with a friend's parents, but I don't think it will work out...I'd be asking a bit much showing up tomorrow night without calling in advance. It feels as if the journey is rushing past now...despite the fact that we are doing the same kind of mileage every day. I guess I never realized how it would feel to almost be home on this trek...very strange, indeed. Sage came through on his way to the next shelter, which we knew we wouldn't reach tonight. Hopefully we'd at least do 16. I went off with Lady Bug and Gray Matter, while Gerri and Randy hiked on. They were going to stop at around 7:30 to camp, and I'd meet them there. I took care of my business at the deli, and they took me back to the Trail. I headed out at a fast clip, trying to make good time in playing catch up. It actually didn't take me that long...Randy and Gerri were just setting up camp. I put my tent up, too, while we all swatted at !the mosquitos bombarding us. I truly don't believe they serve any purpose whatsoever, and am not sure why they exist. They sure make it difficult to camp, though, even with 100% DEET on. After a quick dinner, we rushed to tents. We need to have an early start tomorrow...Kent, Connecticut, here we come! P.S. SOBO's met: 3 oz, Freegan and Zaggut, plus one more whose name I didn't get...