Date: 2014-06-28
From: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-To

To: Maria McCabe's House - Salisbury, CT
Miles today: 15.1

What a great day on the trail! Awesome falls along the Housatonic River, amazing views of Bear and Everett Mountains from Rand's View, and a fantastic time at Maria McCabe's house - can't be beat!Last night we decided on an earlier start time so we got up at five thirty and left camp before seven - we were not the last ones to leave this time! We were able to get up early because both Big Dawg and I did not sleep as well because of a chillier night...but we both felt fine.Moving right along in the morning and making good time. Some slightly rocky ups but nothing crazy as we went on. We did run into an older lady out in the woods looking for a map in a bag - it was only a little strange because she did not have a pack and we had just passed a bunch of empty bottles that looked like someone was making drugs. Just keep hiking, hiking...Through the ups and downs we finally hit the ground along the Housatonic River again and enjoyed our first break at the first bridge that crossed the river. While resting a lady walked by and stopped to chat briefly - she was meeting a fellow thru-hiker Pintsize to do some hiking with her! She moved on and so did we as the trail took us along a road then back into the woods near the railroad tracks.The trail took us back by the river and as we neared Falls Village the trail became very nice - it was extremely smooth and well-maintained since it was a high use area for the locals. Walking along the river we saw kayakers out on the Housatonic practicing a slaloms course on the river - running their kayaks through poles hanging down from lines. Neat to watch!Stopped for rest and water and to drop off some trash and then we headed on up the trail. Walked past a hydroelectric plant right on the river that was still active and also saw an entry point into the river for rafts and kayaks - a lot of people were entering the water when we walked by! Crossed the river over another iron bridge even though it told us "You Shall Not Pass" - we passed over it anyways! Someone had spray painted those words on the cement barricades that prevent cars from going on the bridge.Saw some cool little falls right after the bridge so we sat down for lunch and watched the good falls. We thought it was the great falls listed in the book - boy were we wrong! After lunch we walked further up the trail and heard the unmistakable roar of falls again - Holy Falls Batman we found the big one! Mighty falls after the river passes by the dam supplying the plant and the falls were flowing! An amazing sight to see and very unique since the river is not normally up that high. Hard to believe how much water goes over those falls.From the falls we had to climb up Prospect Mountain - looking at the profile it seemed tough but we did it with ease after lunch - had an energy booster! At the top we ran into two day hikers who were local to the area and we chatted with them about the trail - one gentleman said we had great scenic trail from Rands View coming up to Jugs End in Massachusetts - good to hear!We walked a little further and then ran into Rands View - what an amazing spot on the trail! An open field right next to the trail that opens up great views of the valleys and hills of Connecticut - we could even see Bear and Everett Mountains up ahead. We ran into an older couple enjoying lunch right next to the trail here and chatted with them about the area and our thru-hike. Very friendly people!Walked passed the Giants Thumb Rock formation which was kinda cool (and looked like a thumb...go figure) and then motored down to a stream for our last rest of the hike. So close to town energized us and we flew the last miles to the road and then walked from the cemetery to Maria McCabe's place. Maria was out when we arrived but we were greeted by her welcoming committee - Don's Brother and Purple Pants. Both gentleman hiked the trail last year. Don's Brother did the hike in memory of his brother and was driving the trail this year doing trail magic and meeting thru-hikers. He was also talking about his book that he wrote describing his AT experience - it is called Don's Brother by Mike Stephens. He was a very interesting fellow to talk to and hiked the AT his own way - he hiked from road to road with a lot of town stays and slackpacking and fewer nights in the woods.Purle Pants has Lyme disease and is off the trail for this year - he was looking on getting a bus back to his home from places nearby Salisbury. A great fellow to talk to as well and both had interesting stories.As we were getting ready to go in and shower Maria returned from her errands and greeted us. What an energetic old lady who loves her thru-hikers! She has been opening her home to hikers for 14 years and is 84 years old running the place. She is a super awesome person full of her Maria McCabe stories and full of smiles! Glad Funnybone talked us into staying here before we left Indiana!Showered up and ready to go Don's Brother shuttled us around while we resupplied and did laundry and pizza at Mizza's Restaurant - great place to eat.and great pizza! Had a very enjoyable dinner talking about the trail with Purple Pants and Don's Brother. Sounds like we need to be fully prepared for the White Mountains - he described some tough stuff!After dinner we got our bags set and then had a nice evening at Maria's sitting outside talking with everyone and listening to Maria's stories - she had a great one about hanging jeans outside in the winter. When she brings them in they are frozen so she stands them up in her kitchen. She told us she knew when they were done because they would wiggle down to the ground - and proceeded to make that motion herself! Very funny talking with her and she has such a great place.She went to bed early and the rest of us stayed out until dark. Prepared for a good sleep in a bed since we did not sleep as well the previous night!