Date: 2019-05-15
From: Mt. Algo Shelter

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: light rain

Beautiful weather today!The temperature didn't get down below 40 last night and I was comfy without needing to wrap my bag with the tent. The rain went on through most of the night and into the morning, but we were given a beautiful clear sunrise to wake up to with sunlight coming through the trees. I slept well to the sound of rain and the rushing creek a few yards in front of the shelter.I ate breakfast with Redd Up and shared my coffee crumble cake. I was a bit later getting out of camp because I had to wait for the privy! It was .3 to the road crossing where I caught up with Redd Up. Her heel was hurting from a bad slip yesterday so we both were hitching to town. Unfortunately, after a half hour of trying to get a ride, we ended up walking the .8 to Kent.Kent is a beautiful New England town that consists of a very fancy boarding school, expensive small boutiques, and well manicured properties. It seems most homes there are weekend homes (or Bonus Homes as my hitch back told me later, in that the New Yorkers get a bonus and buy a house to avoid the taxes). It's a great little town and the grocery store had fair prices, but I don't think I'd fit in. Maybe someday I'll be a teacher at the school! It sits at the base of the mountain with a river running through campus. It was for high school age, but looked better than my college campus (everyone was better dressed as well).I left Redd Up at the edge of town. I headed to the post office and she went to the doctors. I got my maildrop and mailed home a camera card and letter. In the package from home I received a very useful, custom, bug net, new rubber tips for my trekking poles, super glue, 2 days of food, fuel, new earplugs, and a home made card from my niece which was unexpected and wonderful.I bought a banana and smoked sausage at the grocery store, got replacement insoles for my shoes at the pharmacy, and managed a hitch back to the trail by 11:30.  It was warm enough for shorts and tee shirt this afternoon and the sun stayed out all day. I ran into two section hikers headed south after Caleb's Peak and took a nice lunch at the top of St. John's Ledges. I'm glad I took a break at the top because the rest was straight down! I'm also glad it wasn't raining or it would have been like New York all over again (see, I can be fair). Even with the fair weather parts of the trail were still washed out and I had to watch where i was stepping to avoid the mud. After the ledges it was a quick, flat, road walk to the shelter. The road follows a river (it's called River Road) and I'm concerned about how high the water is for my ford across Guinea Brook tomorrow. I'll just have to see when I get there! I ran into a jogger and a very relaxed raccoon. The raccoon was trotting down the trail, looking at it's feet (like all us hikers who get lost in our thoughts). It wasn't until I clicked my poles together that it looked up, stopped, and chose a new path into the woods all nonchalant. I guess it's a mama feeding her kids and was much too weary to care much for me. The shelter is again beautifully laid out, complete with trail maps and designated, labeled, campsites and bear boxes. Looks like it's just me for the night. I finished my book and had way too much to eat for dinner considering my short mileage. I cut it short today at the shelter because I didn't want to tent in the rain they're calling for tonight. That means I'll be trying for longer mileage tomorrow to keep on track with my resupplied. Shouldn't be a problem because I'll have a full day of good weather to hike and no snoring (besides my own) to keep me up tonight.I got an email from Redd Up saying it was a stress fracture and she's off the trail this season. Sad news for anyone to cut their hike short, especially from one who has been so encouraging and positive. I will miss her joy and energy, but look forward to meeting up when I finish. Hiker convention at Midstate Distillery in Harrisburg end of August anyone?So happy for my trekking pole tips today! I was able to sneak up on that raccoon in addition to two deer and a lot of chipmunks. It was also nice having better grip on the rocks going down the ledges. Thank you home team!Suns going down and I'm about to fall asleep. I hope these chirping birds do the same.Levi