Date: 2018-06-20
From: Toymaker's cafe Falls Village CT mile 1492.3

To: Limestone Springs Campsite
Miles today: 3.3

I didn't hear River get up at midnight but I heard her at 4am getting up to vomit again. I knew right then I wasn't going to leave this morning because there was no way she could and I wasn't going to hike out if she wasn't able to keep food and liquid down. What a bummer because it's a gorgeous hiking day! Greg, the owner of the cafe came down and opened the door so we could use the restroom and he made breakfast sandwiches which the guys bought. The Cafe wasn't open for business, but Greg did this for hikers. I hope those reading this understand the kindness and generosity these people offer to hikers and what it means to us. It would be far different without these wonderful people. Truly a blessing to cross paths with them. I explained to Greg that River was ill and I wasn't sure what time we'd be able to leave. He told me we could stay as long as we needed and he meant it. He suggested coconut water to rehydrate River who could not even get out of her tent after the 4am vomit. I got her 1 and then later 2 more. All morning she rested. I ate oatmeal from my bag at the picnic table and then crawled into my tent for an hour nap. Shortly after 11am River got up and was able to sit in a chair. I went to the package store and got her an orange Gatorade and she made an oatmeal package which she kept down. Greg came out with packages of oyster crackers for her and encouraged her to stay as long as needed, even another night. Once I was sure she was mending I told her I would be hiking out the 3.3 miles between 3 and 4 pm today. It makes no sense to hike further because I need to get my resupply box in Salisbury and there are no other shelters or campsites before there other than the one I'm heading to which is Limestone Springs. I wanted to skip it because it's a steep half mile side trail in and out but it's all I've got available to me. I left at 2:45 so I could use the restroom at the Town Hall which closed at 3pm and get a liter of water. I stopped at the package store and got a Dunkin donuts mocha beverage and a lemon lime Gatorade and said goodbye to Rachel the dog who sleeps in a bed on the counter there all day. She's cute as a button and loves people. I had a pleasant walk down Water St past the shower from yesterday but no one was there. I hadn't really looked at the guide book so everything after that was a beautiful surprise. I crossed an iron bridge and saw a riverside picnic area where I believe tenting is also allowed and then the trail lead back into the woods where I heard the rushing water of the falls and spent some time there on side trails admiring it. I love it! It's really beautiful here this Falls Village. These are lucky people! I had a beautiful climb up prospect mountain and stopped at the top to take some pictures using my self timer on my phone. Aside from a woman at the falls with her dog I haven't seen anyone out on the trail. I made the steep side trail and camp by 5pm and set up on a platform after seeing a text from River that she was heading my way but she'd be resting as needed. I had dinner (rice noodles with chicken broth and a side of peanut butter, 2 Tate's chocolate chip cookies) with Goldilocks and a father daughter duo all out on section hikes. While I was cleaning up and getting water at the spring River arrived. To save energy she'd be staying in the shelter. She was heading up there when I stowed my bear bag in the bear box and headed off to my tent. I'm stoked to be on a level platform tonight. No sliding and no rocks or sticks under me. There's a chance of rain but I'm hoping to pack out a dry tent in the morning!