Date: 2012-05-22
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter

To: West Cornwall Road, Bearded Woods Hostel
Miles today: 8.9

Day 94 707.1 to goThe hiking today was beautiful but very difficult after the initial 2 miles or so. After that it was pretty much up or down for the rest of the day. It was raining all morning and I was pretty much preoccupied with thinking and worrying about my hernia and what it would mean for my hike. Still though it was an enjoyable morning of hiking. I especially liked the Guinea Brook area of the trail. When I got there there were signs up recommending that a bypass be used to go around the Brook crossing. Since I am white blazing and very reluctant to take any detours I decided that I should have a look at the brook and decide after looking at it if I would go back and take the detour. Staying on trail was a half mile vs. the detour which would have been a mile. I went down and looked and decided that although I might end up with a wetter boot (my boots were already wet) or two, the brook looked like it could be crossed with minimal chance of going for a swim. I am happy to say that I navigated it without getting either of my feet any wetter than they already were. After that I was feeling pretty confidant that I could finish the trail, but I was still acutely tuned into the region with the hernia for any sign or twinge that would indicate an issue. At one point during the hike I stopped for a second to catch my breath and get a drink of water after a steep climb. Not more than a second after stopping I heard a crack and a large tree limb fell onto the trail not 10 feet in front of me, that was close, I would have been in that spot had I not stopped. I took that as my clue to go ahead and get off the trail. I had been waffling back and forth and had started thinking I would have to get off for surgery sometime soon anyway, no pain but I was starting to feel some discomfort and that is what the doc said to watch out for. Between the tree limb, the risk of a possible emergency on the trail, and the phantom or real pain that I would be facing from then on worrying about the hernia I finally made the decision to get off the trail and go home to take care of it and try to come back afterword to finish. So, as luck would have it about the time I finally made my choice I came to a road crossing with a sign posted for the Bearded Woods Hostel. So, I called up Hudson and he came to get me. Wow, what a place to stay. My first reaction after seeing the advertised price was, well this is over priced but I need to get off and here is the opportunity. After seeing the place and experiencing all that Hudson and Big Lu do for the hikers as host, I would have to say that Bearded Woods is offering a great value. Big Lu (Hudson's wife) is a fantastic cook and the price of the bed included dinner with dessert, breakfast, laundry, a bunk bed with sheets, shower, and all in a very nice environment. I am definitely going back when I return to the trail and will recommend it to anyone who I pass on the trail. It is a must stay in Connecticut. So, tomorrow I am headed home. I'll try to get an operation to fix my hernia as soon as I can so that I can have time to recover and get back on the trail and up to Kitadin before the end of the season.