Date: 2003-08-09
To: Melissa
Miles today: 11.1

Guest entry by MelissaKent, CT to Cornwall Bridge, CT - 11.1 miles Friday afternoon, I met Sarah (a.k.a. Blip) at the library in Kent, CT. I found her sitting over by the computers checking her e-mail. As I approached her to say hello and give her a hug, I got to about 5-10 feet away from her and stopped dead in my tracks. A disturbing odor suddenly hit me like a brick wall and I paused to figure out where it was coming from. Sarah had a kind of guilty look on her face and quietly uttered, "Sorry...it's me," or something along those lines. It hadn't even occurred to me that the smell could have been coming from her. Sarah and I were roommates for almost 3 years, and during that time, although we had to establish "no fart zones" in our old apartment, this was a stench I had never before experienced in her presence. Just try to imagine how you might smell after hiking and sweating and not being able to shower for 5 days straight. It really is indescribable though, and unbelieveable that it was coming from her. From that moment on, we were on a mission to get Blip a hot shower. So we threw her pack in the trunk of my car, and with all windows down, the sunroof open, and a blanket covering her seat to prevent any potential permanent contamination, we were off in search of a motel so she could shower.After a much needed shower, we headed back into town to the local laundromat in an attempt to get Blip's clothes smelling clean and fresh once again. I seriously don't think it will ever be possible to get those clothes smelling like spring flowers, but at least it was tolerable after she washed them. Next we headed to a local bar/restaurant for dinner. I met a bunch of Sarah's hiking buddies there...No Pepsi, Mr. Pumpy, Musk, and Sunkist...I think that's what their names were anyway...I don't know how she keeps track of all their names either.Anyway, Saturday we drove to Cornwall Bridge to drop the car off and catch a bus back to Kent so we could hike the trail back to the car. While we were waiting to buy bus tickets, a woman actually offered to give us a ride. Sarah and I had talked about this the day before and she swore that moms never offered rides to hikers. Fortunately we met Trudy who was brave and generous enough to give us a ride. I guess we didn't look too menacing! Trudy's kids, Peter and Ally, entertained us during the ride with a lovely rendition of Little Bunny Foo Foo. I thought for sure that was going to get stuck in my head for the rest of the day, but surprisingly I didn't even think about the song again til we made it back to Cornwall Bridge at the end of the day. Thanks Trudy, Peter, and Ally for the ride!!!We hiked from Kent to Cornwall Bridge, CT. (11.1 miles). After just about a quarter mile into it, I was already sweating and panting and wondering how in the world Sarah was able to make it this far already. We were just day-hiking (or slack packing as they called it), so it would have been even worse carrying a 40 pound pack. Uphills make you feel like hell all over, and downhills were surprisingly even more painful at times. Downhills caused more acute pain specifically in my knees as though my kneecaps were going to pop off. I felt like an old lady. It's been a long time since I've gone hiking...or even running or biking... I, admittedly, have just been rather lazy lately and am a little out of shape. Excuses, excuses... The terrain was actually quite manageable. It just reminded me I need to stop sitting in front of the tv so much and get outside more often. I had a great time. It felt good to be outside and I was glad to hang out with Sarah and have some time to catch up.Towards the end of our hike, it started to pour like I had been dreading all week. However, it actually felt great! It was hot out so it felt nice and refreshing. I also appreciated it probably because I knew at that point that we would be staying at another motel that night and not have to sleep in a wet tent. Go ahead and call me a wimp. The motels were bad enough...since I travel so much, I'm not accustomed to sleeping in those kinds of conditions!!! KOA cabins are even better, I think, than the motels we stayed in, but that's just my opinion. It still beat sleeping in a wet tent. Wildlife count:1 squirrel3 chipmunks1 orange salamander1 toad1 blue heron (I think so anyway)a few other birds I couldn't identifyand a whole lot of bugsOne day hike with Sarah and that wore me out. I don't know how she does it! I'm definitely impressed with her courage and determination. Sarah, what you have already accomplished is very admirable. You've made it this far, I know you can make it all the way to Mt. Katahdin! You are truly amazing!