Date: 2006-06-15
From: Lower Cobble Road(Salisbury,CT)

To: Hemlocks Lean-To
Miles today: 14.1

Day 101 Seems hard to believe that this adventure started in Georgia exactly 100 days ago. I've met a lot of people, climbed up and down a lot of hills, and had many great times...and a few lousy ones. Less than 700 miles to go to the end. I look forward to New Hampshire and Maine, but even more I look forward to Johnson City and home. Restless and I are waiting for the restaurant to open at this hotel (White Hart Inn). It rained yesterday evening but is only partly cloudy this morning. I have a few post office and internet chores to do, then head out of town. Planning on another short day...less than 15 miles. Glad I went to the Post Office. I had 2 letters, one from James and one from Mom and Mary Dew. I wonder if the postal clerk overlooked those last night. It was about 9:30AM when I got out of town, and I had my usual confusion on where the Trail was and where it left the road. After that got sorted out I started a steady climb, but at least it wasn't very rocky. The rest of the day was rocky, though. Not as bad as PA, NJ, and NY, but a little worse than yesterday. I am now officially in Massachusetts, my 11th state. Ten states down...the final four to go. Had two special sections to walk through today. First was a mountain stream/ravine on the CT/MA border that the Trail parallelled for about 1/2 a mile. The ravine was covered in old hemlocks; reminded me of a creek above Flag Pond or perhaps one fork of Citico Creek. Lots of small waterfalls...beautiful. The second great place was the first big climb in Massaachusetts up Race Mtn. The last half mile or so was along a rocky edge with great views of western Mass. and Conn. The vegetation was all stunted trees and bushes; sunny sky and very breezy...very exhilerating! One other memorable place was the last mountain in CT...Bear Mtn. A rock pile or "tower" has been built there, the highest point in CT. GEAR REPORT: boots doing fine, no blisters seem to be forming. Glad it was a short day and that they got dried out last night. Also, I called Canon and ordered a "new" camera...actually a reconditioned one with a 6 months guarantee. Same exact model as my present on-Powershot SD 400. I will have to send them mine as a trade-in. The new one is being shipped to me in Bennington, VT. NATURE REPORT: Saw one snake (with dinner in his belly) and lots of healthy hemlock trees...Maybe the adelgid didn't get this far north. Also saw some flame azalea in bloom. GENERAL COMMENTS AND REFLECTIONS: back and forward. Most of my journal entries have been focused on what happened today. In this next section I want to take a broader view. Worse state so far... both WVA and NY were lousy, for different reasons. But the non-yielding rocks of PA make it the worst. NY would be better if Trail maintenance and markings were better. Suprisingly, CT has been one of my favorite states. The improved trail markings (except at a couple of roads), neat towns, diminishing rocks, and multiple old rock fences in the woods made for a very pleasant experience. New topic: books I want to read. Hiking the AT has made me aware of several books I have been meaning to read and will when I get home. Three are AT books: A WALK IN THE WOODS by Bill Bryson; Earl Schaeffer's account of his first thru hike; and Bill Irwin's BLIND COURAGE, I was fortunate to meet and hear him several years ago and was inspired by his story. After actually being on the Trail, I am astounded that a blind person could hike even part of it, no matter how well-trained his dog or his friends. I have eyes and was almost stopped cold by several rock climbs and descents. How he managed to complete the Trail is one of the most incredible feats I can imagine. A fourth book I want to read is Ernest Shackleton's account of his Antarctic explorations and rescue of his crew on a barren island. Back to the present...as dark comes on, the wind is picking up and a few sprinkles are teasing me. The temperature has dropped at least 20 degrees...great for sleeping. This is a big shelter with some built-in bunks. Only 3 of us here: Restless, Messenger, and myself.