Date: 2008-07-19
From: North of Hurds Corner Rd, NY

To: Bulls Bridge, CT
Miles today: 9.7

I'm in Connecticut! Another state done. :-)I woke up at 6am and ate the box of powdered donuts that I packed out from the deli yesterday. I just didn't feel like moving yet, so I laid there and read more Cold Mountain. It was a very humid and warm morning with a dew point that was probably in the low 70's. I got packed up and was walking north on the Appalachian Trail at 8:35am. I started sweating even while I was packing up my tent. I came to a long slippery boardwalk and took a picture of that. It must have gone on for almost 1/10 of a mile. The boards were wet and felt like they were greased, so I took small steps and walked slowly across it. I saw a hawk with a small critter in it's talons about half a mile before I got to Wiley Shelter. I got to Wiley Shelter and there were 2 guys there and a dog in the woods. The dog was growling at me and the guy said; ¢Don't worry...he's friendly". Isn't it something how that's what you hear from every dog owner when their dog is growling at you? I signed the register and used a smiley face sticker and walked on. :-) I was walking along and crossed Duell Hollow Road when I heard a large branch fall down about 50 feet back where I had just walked through. It didn't fall right on the Trail, but wasn't far off it. I had sprayed my legs with Deet because I found two ticks on my legs after walking in a grassy area earlier this morning. That Deet had probably washed away because I was soaking wet from sweating on this very humid day. I came out to the road crossing just before leaving NY and entering CT and saw a family by their car. I stopped and talked to them a while. The father and the oldest son where getting ready to start their first section hike on the AT and are planning on eventually getting the whole Trail done. I was impressed with Tim, the son. He studied the AT in school this year and is excited about hiking it. Looks like the next generation of long distance hikers are getting started! :-) John, his dad looked at my pack and when he found out I was walking to Maine said: "Uh oh, I think I packed too much stuff". :-) Good luck and safe travels to you John and Tim! (Thanks for the cold tea too) I walked on and crossed into CT. I got a picture of the marker and kept walking. I crossed CT 55, then climbed Ten Mile Hill before descending to Ten Mile River. I stopped at the shelter and signed the register and used another smiley face sticker, then walked to the river and went for a swim. It was so hot and humid that the river felt icy cold at first....but then it felt great! :-) Ten Mile RiverI only stayed in the river for about 10 minutes because Mrs Moosie was meeting me at Bulls Bridge and I still had over a mile walk. Bulls BridgeMoosie has had Lyme pretty bad for a year now, so I offered to stop by and do a few chores around the house and yard. Mrs Moosie arrived about 1 minute after I got to the convenience store...now that's great timing! She got out of the van and acted like she was going to give me a hug and I backed away a little and told her I was too wet. She gave me a hug anyway. :-) We headed to New Milford and I got to see Goldilocks just as he was leaving for work. He even has a shiny car now! I didn't think I'd ever see Goldilocks with a shiny car. :-) Goldilocks ¢05Moosie was there and seemed to have plenty of energy today. He and I sat and talked about some of the hiking we've done together and lots of other hikers we both know. I think we talked about three hours before he started looking tired and went and laid down a while. Mrs Moosie made a delicious pork roast with mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh garden green beans and broccoli and I had a beer. That was an excellent meal! :-) We did dishes, then Moosie showed me a few things I could do tomorrow morning after I've had my coffee. I can do lots of stuff after I've had coffee! :-) Mrs Moosie and MoosieIt sure was great meeting John and Tim today as they were all clean and eager to start sectioning the Appalachian Trail....and it's always great to see old friends like Moosie, Mrs Moosie and Goldilocks! I have really made some very close friends through walking this Trail. :-) Another great day on the Appalachian Trail. :-)