Date: 2015-07-06
From: New York City, NY

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: moderate rain

"South Central, last stop!" I barely registered as the conductors voice crackled over the crumby speaker system of the train. Rubbing a ridiculous amount of sleep from my eyes, I made my way outside and into a connector train that would take me the remaining ~15 minutes into Pawling, NY, a sleepy little town connected to the outside world by a rail line just happening to originate/end in New York City. I waddled off the train and to the post office to see if my package was still there. Not open for another 30 minutes. Crap. Now I had to pee - bad. Crap. No where to go. Fml. I somehow managed to hold it until a lady arriving early for work saw me waiting and returned with my package. I limped across the small town to a CVS, fearing a normal stride would cause my bladder to erupt.I quickly threw my stuff down and followed the associate to the locked bathroom, hoping he couldn't see me pinching it off as he let me in. Shh shh shh. Stop. We've all been there. Let's enjoy a moment of silence for that feeling of finally being able to relieve oneself.......... You're welcome. I then headed outside to tear into my goody box sent to me by friends and supporters, Kim and Darryl. Tortillas, pb&j, M&M's, chewy bars, oatmeal, beef jerky, hand wipes, Gold Bond, among other things. Seeing that I was down to some tuna, Nutty Bars, and what I think was once stick cheese, I'll now be able to go several more days before needing to resupply. As I sat outside on a rock wall feeling all giddy as I packed away my new stash, a young man pulled up and asked if I wanted a ride to the trail, close to ~3 miles away which I was expecting to walk. Seeing that he asked me in a parking lot, it was no longer considered hitch-hiking which is illegal in New York. We chatted about the trail on the way back to the garden center before parting ways with a handshake.Finally back on the trail at 10:30am, I was soon sweating as I crossed through a series of fields and climbed ~500ft up Hammersly Ridge in the muggy morning. Four miles quickly passed as I reached Wiley Shelter and stoed for a quick lunch just before 12:30pm. Still super tired, my plans for the day remained undetermined since plans never seem to amount to much out here.The next ~4 miles passed quickly as I climbed up and over Ten Mile Hill on my way to Ten Mile River. During this stretch I would officially enter Connecticut, flip-flopping between the states a few times before officially exiting New York for the last time. I reached Ten Mile River with every intention of taking a quick swim, but I arrived to find ~4-5 flyfisherman doing what they do best - hogging all the water and blaming others for their lack of catches. I didn't take a swim, but instead breaked and watched them work their craft before continuing on after about ~20 msleep. s. The remainder of the afternoon would be spent ascending and descending a series of small mountains including Scjahhticoke Mountain, offering 2 rocky outcroppings like Indian Rocks overlooking the wooded valleys below. It was during this stretch I passed 2 groups of either campers or a girl scouts and boy scouts troop respectively. Both asked my trail name. The girls asked how long I had been hiking and, after responding with 98 days, they all said good luck, wished me well, and 2 even clapped. It's the small things.A little after 5:30pm I reached CT 341, leading into Kent, CT, a mile off trail. Unable to score a lift, I limped in until I reached Backcountry Outfitters. I rested for an hour, enjoyed a Coke, and prepared some mail to be sent out. Eventually another hiker rolled in from the direction of town. After inquiring about food, he suggested the only place still open - Kent Pizza Garden - offering pizzas, subs, burgers, etc. I rolled in and immediately bumped into Safari and Yoohoo in the bar. I sat and chatted with Safari for a while before he set back off to the trail head where he planned to set up camp in a flat location just off of the road. As he left I dived into my bacon cheeseburger, garlic bread, and Coke's that just didn't seem to be coming fast enough. Twice I had to go with my cup and ask for me. No worries, though, for it's a happening place for not much of a town.It's currently nearing 11:00pm and I'm still at the restaurant utilizing the electricity in order to save precious batter life I would've otherwise lost dating several journal entries. I do it for you, people, and as always I appreciate the positve feedback. I still have to hike a mile ba k down the road to the trail, find the location where Safari is soundly sleeping by now, and set up my own camp all by headlamp. Joy. I will not be making any plans or destination goals for tomorrow since I'm still so far behind on adequate sleep. I'd say its been a weekend well worth the missed sleep though. Having had my taste of the city for close to ~36 hours, I'm reminded of one of my favorite quotes: "There is a pleasure in the pathless woods. There is a rapture on the lonely shore. There is society, where none intrudes. By the deep sea, and music in its roar. I love man not the less, but nature more."Time to wrap this up and head back to the woods where sleep should hopefully find me soon.Here's to the city reminding me of how lucky I've had it in the woods, my friends Kim and Darryl, and perhaps just 1 more Coke before I leave.