Date: 2010-07-21
From: Schaghticoke Mountain Campsite, Kent, CT

To: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 17.3

"Fasten your seatbelts. It is going to be a bumpy night." ~ Betty DavisJuly 21, 2010 ¢ Day 108 - WednesdayIt was hard to leave the comforts of Walking Stomach and Soft Feet's home, but I am following the white blazes north to Maine.There is a distinct difference in the type of forest the trail travels through. Pennsylvania forests were basically flat with legendary rocks. Low vegetation below the tree canopy was rare because of the rocks. Southern New Jersey continued with the rocks with a slow rise in elevation. Northern New Jersey the rocks slowly disappeared and prominent rock formations became visible. The ground had a dark brown color and musky scent due to the decaying plant life.New York continued with the rock formations and large sections of rock monoliths that the trail climbed up and over. The lowest elevation of the AT was at the Bear Mountain Bridge. North of the bridge there seemed to be a steady climb going into Connecticut. The trail once again summitted mountain tops and the smell of pines circulated through the air. I finally climbed my first peak over 2000 ft outside of Kent, Ct. It was an exhilarating feeling to be back in the mountains.The hike got interesting this morning for several reasons. The first encounter was the decent from St. John's Ledges on 91 stone steps. Some of the steps were steep and some sections I was scrambling over and around huge boulders. The final step and short hike took me to River Road; this next encounter was very pleasant. River Road followed the Housatonic River for approximately 5 miles. I was told unofficially that this section of the AT is the longest stretch to follow flowing water on the trail. At one point I pictured Native Americans paddling birch bark canoes down the river as a source of transportation before the invading white man. I always go back to that time period and picture pristine waters and forest. Today, the water is not clear and hikers have been warned how polluted the river can be. People fish the river and are warned not to eat too many of the fish within a certain period of time.Another experience occurred after leaving the river. Just past Caesar Brook campsite distant thunder could be heard. I was hiking with a guy called Sticks when the thunder got louder and the skies darkened. We just hiked over a small mountain top and were on the way down when the air turned suddenly cool and the wind picked up. Both of us stopped in our tracks and started to put every piece of rain gear on. I geared up just in time, Sticks was caught half suited up. The lightning was intense as was the thunder. The rain started heavy and quickly turned into marble size hail. I sat on my backpack high off the trail and popped opened my umbrella to protect me from the pounding of the icy balls. I looked back up the trail to see Sticks running from one big tree to another bigger tree, trying to get escape the pelting he was getting. The ground around us turned white with the hail balls as more came down. There was so much energy in the sky in the form of rolling thunder accompanied by a flash of light and an immediate clap of sharp thunder. I watched the trail turn into a torrent of water flowing pass me carrying white balls. This lasted for a good 20 minutes. I felt safe in my little haven under the umbrella and said some Hail Mary¢s for good measure just in case the man upstairs was listening. The storm passed and we continued our hike until we got to Carse Brook, now a violent flow of chocolate milk colored water. We finally found a crossing and continued north. Another storm cell hit us with lightning, thunder and pounding rain as we reached a mini lemon squeeze (a small opening between two large rock formations). Sticks and I enter into the squeeze in pouring rain. We were bathed in sunlight coming out the other side. It felt like we entered a portal to discover a new land. I reached the shelter at last as the final rain drops fell. It was good to feel the dry confines of the forest building for hikers. Most of my gear was wet through and through. Tomorrow I hope to dry them out. But, tonite I am dry and thankful for another of Mother Nature¢s experiences that I witnessed safely. I had a winter experience in the midst of a summer heat wave. How cool is that?if not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe