Date: 2005-06-19
From: Belter's campsite

To: Salisbury
Miles today: 10.5

White Hart Inn Room 2Salisbury.Happy Father¢s Day!Yukon Jack came in late last night. From Alaska, he is SOBO and lamenting the lack of open vistas that he is used to in his home state.   Good night ¢ no rain, and I was back on the trail by 6AM, passing two of the scout masters who were ensconced on the top of Belter¢s Bump denied their hoped-for sunrise by a cloudy and cool morning sky. A quick descent down off of Sharon Mountain brought me to the road at US7, and yet another flat and pleasant walk.   After a quick trip through a cornfield along the banks of the Housatonic River, I passed the very imposing Housatonic Valley Regional High School. Diving back into the woods again I found myself confronted by a train wreck! Some time ago several cars had derailed on the Housatonic Railroad and one of the lumber filled cars had spilled it¢s load over the trail, taking a good sized chunk of real estate along with it, down a steep incline. The detour around the wreck is still marked with yellow police tape tied to the trees and the train wreck was quickly bypassed. An interesting example of reverse recycling with the lumber returning to the forest.   The walk to Falls Village is beautiful. The morning was warm, but not hot, with a mild breeze. The trail skirts along the river, and is part of a wheelchair accessible trail, just south of the village. Broad flat trail, sun dappled, river gurgling, with the wind sighing in the trees! Can¢t beat that!   The hydroelectric plant does indeed have a vine-covered building with an outside shower, with the ¢silver shower head poking through the ivy¢. In full view of the trail and the entire park, has to be seen to be believed. Then across the Iron Bridge and a mixed road/woods walk up to the fall themselves ¢ and indeed they did not appear too ¢great¢ at the Great Falls Dam. Apparently they are only ¢great¢ during heavy rain and snowmelt.   On the road Paddy O ¢ Patrick Lynch ¢ pulled over in his truck to insist that I partake of the trail magic that he was carrying for through hikers. As I sucked down a diet Dr. Pepper, he and I swapped stories on the side of the narrow road ¢ not a concern on his part that his truck was taking up most of it ¢ and attracting interesting stares from the passing traffic. His family is originally from Drumshambow in Co. Sligo.   Then it was back onto the trail proper. Up to the top of Mount Prospect and on to the side trail to Limestone Spring ¢ ¢best water but all downhill¢ according to Paddy- and a nice view of the Taconic Range from Lions Head to Mount Everett and Jug End, in a perfect viewing day from the overlook at Rand¢s View.   The Giant¢s Thumb turned out to be a large isolated standing stone, rather like some megalithic monument. For some reason I felt compelled to walk around it three times! I wonder what primitive subconscious nerve it touched to set off that particular reflex?   Had lunch at Billings View- not much to see because of the trees ¢ and passed two families. The first was a mother, father and daughter retreating back home because the mother was ill ¢ sore throat and blocked ears. The second was two young sons ¢ 5 to 7 year olds ¢ leading their parents on a hike. They peppered me with questions about the trail and were much interested in their location on my map.   I was here in Salisbury at the Inn before my room was ready, so I took a tour of the town. ¢Neat and compact and easy to get to everything by walking¢ as per Wingfoot. Walk up and down the street and you have seen the town twice. Again ¢ like Kent ¢ very upscale and chic with boutiques, antiques and real estate agents.   After a shower had an _ undercooked ¢ burger at Molly¢s Place, I got my snacks at La Burres Market. Met the sick mother at Bev¢s Ice Cream for strawberry smoothies ¢ they all look much better.   This is nice ¢ a great day, good weather, and an excellent hike. Another ¢River Walk¢ and one to be remembered. I realy enjoyed it from the campsite all the way to the White Hart, it was all fun.      Playing and enjoyment are important parts of living. It is important to have fun and to play, and to be happy. Having fun preserves our innocence and reminds us of our childhood, when we were without adult worries. We need to be able to go back to that state,Thought for today ¢ We don¢t stop playing because we grow old ¢ we grow old because we stop playing!