Date: 2014-06-16
From: Sherman Brook Campsite

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Ok so I've walked through NJ, NY, CT, MA and I'm going to be in VT tomorrow! I'm getting so excited because we're actually hiking mountains again! That is, the climbs are a bit more challenging and frequent. I'll sum up the past four states, gosh they flew by!NJNew Jersey had some definite highs and lows. We had some of the best views in a while contrasted with terribly mosquito infested swamps in the low lands.Had our first spell of difficulty finding good water (we are so spoiled really, there's water all over the place on the AT compared with the experience my friend Stride had in her first month on the CDT!)I climbed a couple of watch towers, despite my fear of heights, to improve the views. Worth it! Fun Size found my suffering amusing and has been recording most of my adventures with heights.We saw 5 bears in NJ! Fun Size saw a baby bear first, then I heard a grunt and mama bear stood up outta the bushes, not 15ft from us. She yanked the baby out of the tree, and they both hustled away. Saw another mama with two cubs on a ridge lookin' for grubs under the rocks.We stayed at this sweet cabin that this guy, Jim Murray, left open for hikers. It was there that I noticed a poster on the wall for the American Discovery Trail... Hm... One Day?I was pushing to get to Katahdin by my birthday, July 18th, but I've decided to nix that plan. It would be cool, but I'd rather "take time to smell the roses" and I'm glad I made that decision.NYJust after crossing the NJ/NY border I saw Extra Credit, the guy from the blizzard on Max Patch who I haven't seen since! It's funny how the trail is like that...I guess once I started slowing down again I started taking more pictures. I've got lots of cool shots of wildlife! I have cool pictures of the trail in New York, unfortunately I can't share them until I get a long time next to an outlet with internet access. My poor phone just can't handle it any more.We walked through a zoo! Tho some of those animals looked sad and scared. Probably due to the screaming children that run through just about every day. They overwhelmed me alright... The bear's den was the lowest point on the AT (120ft).Had to do a full resupply (4-5 days) at a convenience store (gas station) because hitching was illegal and the towns were further off trail than we wanted to walk. That was expensive :/ and interesting... Cheerios, PB and honey sandwiches and non-instant rice... Oops.Celebrated 3 months on trail!Followed a sign to breakfast at a strangers house (something we were taught not to do as children). Waffles and coffee! So nice.Saw the Dover Oak which is the largest white oak on the AT. 20ft thick 114ft tall and estimated to be over 150 years old according to google. Really cool tree.Camped at the Appalachian Trail Railroad. Awesome. We set up our tents on a 20ft strip between the railroad and the highway. That was a noisy night!CTFound a deer tick on my toe. First one that had taken a bite. :/ But I "keeled" him. And I'm still winning 11 to 1.Connecticut was short but sweet. This far into the journey things are falling apart, so I've had to do some gear repair. Still looking for a new water bladder. But I got new tips for my trekking poles, which had worn down. And new shoes! Finally. The old ones were so holey. And painful. No support left. The new ones are bright red! I am now Super One Day.Zeroed in Salisbury, watched Monty Python's "The Meaning of Life" and ate ice cream cake. Noms.Hit 1500 miles!MAUnfortunately, the first couple of days in Mass it rained. And despite my desire not to let it affect my attitude, I was a little down in the dumps. Literally. We walked through some dumpy swamps. I completely ate it on one of the board walks. I was stubbing my toe on rocks, tripping on roots, and slipping and sliding everywhere. All the while trying not to be miserable. It was laughable, which actually helped. I got over it eventually, and find that these difficult times never come close to the number of moments I am grateful for.The sun came out and it got gorgeous! Father's Day was SUCH a beautiful day. I just love it out here! Hiked over Mt. Greylock today, which is the highest peek in MA. I enjoyed the area near the top, before the summit, which smelled like pine. Mmmmm....Tomorrow we'll be in VT!!!!Now I've just got three states left! Can you believe it?! I'm hoping to post more frequently. Every state at least. But we'll see how that goes...One Day