Date: 2010-07-26
From: Salisbury, CT (US 44)

To: Sages Ravine Campsite
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I have been excited to journal all day so that I can write this:   Today has been a fantastic day!!! It's been quite a while since I could say that of a hiking day, but today I can. Storm and I are sitting here after dinner at our quiet campsite eating dark chocolate and munching on delicious wild blueberries that we picked up on Bear Mountain and carried here in my nalgene. The air is cool and dry; the breeze is gentle, but constant; laughter abounds. I can hardly believe that I get to see Braids in less than 48 hours. But, I have many great evenings on the trail. It's not just right now that's making this such a great day.   We laid in bed (I both slept and read) at Maria's until 8:30. We eventually got up and cooked breakfast (up to 3 farm-fresh eggs, a bagel, OJ, and a banana each - AMAZING!) We didn't know originally that breakfast was included at Maria's, but we found out last night. After breakfast (I cooked up some ridiculously mangled, but good, fried eggs), we walked into town. I picked up my maildrop and mailed a few extra dinners home (since Braids is coming earlier than planned). We both got a few things at the grocery store, though it wasn't quite as fun as last night's trip, when we each got a pint of ice cream (mine - B&J's Karamel Sutra; Storm's - locally made Lavender Honey) and I got some delicious fresh raspberries. Anyway, we went back, packed our packs and said our goodbyes to Maria. We were off around 11:30. I walked back over to US 44, where I left off yesterday, while Storm walked to the closer trailhead on Conn. 41. Once I was back on the AT, I had a bit of roadwalking to get over to 41. I managed to completely miss when the AT turned off Cobble St. into a field and thru the woods. I wasn't going the wrong way for too long, but I was definitely "lost" for a brief moment there.   Anyway, we finally met up and hiked off into the woods. We only planned to hike the 7.5 miles to Sages Ravine today, so we just had a blast hiking and took breaks whenever we felt like it. We took a long break on Lion's Head, my first real clear, beautiful New England vista. We took another break shortly thereafter to read the shelter register. Then, we stopped at an amazing rock outcropping on the way up Bear Mountain and sat and talked for a long time. Only 5 or 10 minutes later, we found a huge blueberry patch with giant berries, so we stopped and filled over half my Nalgene with them. We met Trooper there, and soon the three of us crested Bear Mountain and picked our way down the very steep and scary north side. We joyfully crossed into Massachusetts (though there was no good sign) and got here just before 6. That's over 6 delightful hours to hike 7.5 miles. It was a truly great day. I am having an absolute blast hiking with Storm!   Oh, two other things -    The weather today was incredible! Highs in the mid-80s (instead of 90s and 100s!), sunny and clear, very low humidity, and nice breeze.   Thanks to No Longer Chef's suggestion, we packed out a Fresh Express caesar salad kit (everything we need, all sealed up in on bag). It packed out great, and was amazing! I have a feeling I'll be packing these out a lot more often! Thanks for the idea, NLC!   Right now, I am so very happy to be an AT thru-hiker!