Date: 2005-06-15
From: Ten Mile River Lean-To

To: Kent
Miles today: 8.7

Fife 'n Drum Inn, Room 5The New Guy joined me last night, and we hit it off at once. He is a thru-hiker NOBO having started at Harpers Ferry and will then flip-flop to avoid the rush ¢ smart man. He is a semi retired project manager for a petrochemical software company that he founded and then sold. He could fully retire if he wanted to, but he still wants to continue to contribute to the company. His companion of 20 years ¢ Karen ¢ sounds a lot like my KT, and he and I chatted for hours as he fixed his backpack strap ¢ redoing the stitching three times until it was to his satisfaction - made dinner, and watched the shadows lengthen over the meadow and the fireflies begin to come out, until he finally retired to his tent.   When I awoke during the night the fireflies were putting on a magnificent show. It was as good as a fireworks display. There must have been hundreds of them out there, blinking and glowing and dipping and diving and moving from ground level to mid-tree height.   New Guy and I were up and out early in a pleasant dull overcast and cool morning. It remained cool for the hike and I hope that this means that the heat wave is finally over.   The trail leads down along the banks of the Ten Mile River to its junction with the Housatonic River and then along the banks of the Housatonic to Bulls Bridge Road- one of the nicest sections of the trail that I have hiked so far but being loved to death by the amount of foot traffic and defoliation. On the road section I met two runners who confirmed that a cool spell was indeed upon us.      Then it was a slow and steady slog up Schaghticoke Mountain where the trail takes a dive back into New York State for 2.3 miles. It traverses the Schaghticoke Indian Reservation when it returns to CT, the only place along the entire AT where the trail goes through an Indian Reservation. The summit was shrouded in wet fog, so although there was no view for me today at Indian Rocks, it was at least nice and cool.      Then I was caught up to and quickly passed by New Guy ¢ only to rejoin again as he was finishing his midmorning break at the summit. Got a good photo [I hope] of him and his umbrella.   A long and rocky and very tough crest walk followed with lots of rock gardens and some steep and tricky UDS, especially through Dry Gulch Ravine. Then it was down and up to Mount Algo ¢ where I met three day hikers who actually sat down on some rocks to listen to my ¢sad tail¢ I felt like I was giving a lecture to a group of students1   The rocky descent off of Mount Aldo is called ¢The Grand Staircase¢ ¢ but is referred to locally as ¢The Devils Staircase¢. A steep, tricky and rocky descent past the campsite and on to the trail junction to the Mount Algo Shelter. Did I see New Guy disappearing down-trail as I approached? Proberly after finishing his lunch.   So, after a short road hike through the campus of Kent School ¢ founded 1916 - I have checked in here for two nights ¢ officially to avoid arriving in Salisbury on Saturday with the PO closed - and also ¢just because¢ Very nice Inn. Had lunch at Caralees and have showered. Spent an interesting half hour walking the streets of this very upscale New England town clad only in my rain gear looking for a non-existent Laundromat. Despite what Wingfoot says it has been closed for some time.   So a very good day. A tough 8.7 miles but doable because of the weather break. A fancy spot to stay ¢ they kept calling me ¢Sir¢ when I checked in ¢ and a zero day for planning and recuperating in the AM. Am sitting curled up [realy!] in a very large and comfortable winged armchair with the AC on and the ceiling fan going. The whole room is decorated in what looks like a blue and white Wedgwood pattern. It¢s like sitting in a teacup ¢ not my first choice in decorating.   As I thought about the similarities in New Guy¢s and my own lives, I began to suspect that at some very basic level all humans have similar lives and similar journeys in many ways. If we look closely and deeply enough at our neighbor we begin to see ourselves. Perhaps this is the true meaning behind ¢Love your neighbor as yourself¢ We are all one! We both are looking for a meaningful retirement spent contributing something important to others, but unsure what. Both very much in love with our life long partners, but still leaving them for this pilgrimage ¢ we both agreed that it was such, although New Guy isn¢t big into religion.   So much to think about today ¢ one of my better days.Thought for today ¢   All journeys end at the same place.