Date: 2013-07-25
From: Thayer Brook

To: Silver Hill Campsite
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

Day One Hundred and Thirty Nine (11.7) Thayer Brook to Silver Hill CampsiteI woke up early this morning and decided to go back to sleep so we got a late start this morning. Then a mile later we met Two Sox at the shelter and a bunch of hikers who were headed into Kent to have breakfast, they described waffles with ice cream and fruit. I'm sure we were drooling when they were finished and quickly decided to make a pit stop in Kent as well. When we arrived at the road to Kent I stuck out my thumb as two small vehicles drive by and Two Socks started teasing me saying that there was no way we would all fit in those little cars. Then one of those little cars turned around and came back to get us. Four of us plus the dog and all of our packs fit into a Honda Scion. Thanks for the ride! Kent looked nice! We were dropped off near a cafe and we could see Candypants sitting outside. It wasn't the place with the huge waffles so we walked up the street and found our restaurant. In the end none of us ordered waffles, we all just chose our favourites and the food was awesome! After breakfast we walked to the outfitter and couldn't believe how poorly stocked it was. Each of us needed a few things and none of us found what we needed and the shuttle back to the trail that they offer was ridiculously priced because they had an additional person charge (I wonder how much they would have added for a dog). Anyway, we ended up walking back to the trail, it was an easy walk and it gave a chance for our food to digest before the big climb. The climb seemed easier for me than normal but after a couple more little ups and downs I was looking forward to the flat river walk that along with a road walk ended up being around five miles. The trail down to the river turned into a treacherous rock cliff. I spent most of the time laughing at the ridiculous situation we were in that and laughing at Two Socks and Canadian Bacon behind me inventing new combinations of curse words as they gingerly made their way down the rocks. When we finally arrived at the Housatonic River we stopped for lunch at a little beach. We had taken off our packs and left them on the trail and when we returned someone had given each of us a snickers bar on top of our packs! Thank you Anonymous Trail Angel! It felt so good to walk along the bank of the river on a relatively flat path and a gentle breeze coming off of the water but by the end of the flat section we were all complaining that our backs hurt not sure why but I suspect it has to do with how we walk on a flat surface with our packs on. After another break we decided that we were too tired to go too much further and would only hike to the next campsite. The campsite was almost a mile up a hill but it was awesome! It's the best designated campsite I've been to yet with a covered pavilion and picnic table, privy, well with a hand pump, a bench swing and a patio on the edge of the mountain. We couldn't believe it! As we were setting up Orange Peel and Sparky arrived and told us about their trip to NYC and about all the trail magic they have received from New Yorkers. Of course then we had to tell them about all of our trail magic stories. So many people have helped us out, it has been so amazing! While we were talking and eating it actually got cold. Cold enough for me to put my thermals on and later add my down jacket. It has been so hot lately that this feels great! It is late again and Melkie is the only one not in bed yet but as soon as I put this down it is his bedtime too. Good night world!Trouble