Date: 2016-04-20
From: Riga Shelter

To: Belters Campsite
Miles today: 13.6

I woke reasonably early. I saw some nice views from Lions Head.I came to the first road into Salisbury, Undermountain Road at 10 am.I used the privy. The duff bucket had only used toilet paper.I was offended and indignant.I texted Hudson that I was at the first road to Salisbury and I would meet him at the post office. As I came to the second road, a red van backed out of the driveway next to the trail and drove down the road. I waved at them as they passed and they waved back. I was hoping they were going to stop to ask if I needed a ride, but they did not. I was unsure if I should turn to the right or left. I went right, west and hiked into the quaint town of Salisbury. I found the post office. I gave the postman the receipt of my package. He said, "You are not going to make me search all those packages by a number are you? What is your name?" I told him. He said he would need some identification. He went to get my package as I dug out my drivers license. He looked at the picture and then at me with all of my hair tucked under my cap. I realized I did not look much like my picture. So I took off my cap and showed him my pony tail. He said my picture did not look like I was crazy. I am not so sure how I looked at that moment with no shower in four days and greasy hair. The woman after me was in a blue wool suit and high heels. In her German accent, she said it was a nice day for a hike. I agreed.I took my pack and box outside. I started to open my box on the grass. Hudson called out to me. He gave me the Aqua Mira drops and fuel. I paid him more than he had requested. I explained that I wanted it to be more than enough since The AT Guide list more than one reason why he did not have to be there helping me. I am very appreciative that he came to my aid.He put my pack and box in his car while I went next door to the pharmacy to buy sunglasses. My sunglasses had broken. My eyes are becoming increasingly sensitive to bright light and wind. My eyes cry to the point I can not see. As I stepped into the pharmacy, I was bombarded by the scent of soap. I found some sunglasses and proceeded to purchase them. The cashier asked, "Do you want a receipt?""No", I answered, thinking I did not need to carry more trash. "Do you want a bag?" "No", I answered, thinking I really do not want to carry a bag for three days. "Do you want scissors to cut off the tag?" "Yes", I answered. I cut off the tag and gave the cashier the tag. I felt like the entire store was staring at me. I hurried out.Hudson asked me if I wanted to buy a sandwich while I was in town. I said I already had too much food, so no. Hudson drove me back to the trail. On the way, he told me what to expect next on the trail and showed me where the trail goes back into the woods. I told him about the privy with the used toilet paper in the duff bucket. I can't believe it took me a WEEK to figure out that I could have dumped the toilet paper into the privy and filled the duff bucket! But no. I chose to be indignant.Hudson dropped me off where I had left the trail. I spread out my Nano Puff jacket, found my knife, opened my mailbox and dumped the contents on the jacket. Hudson graciously took the box and left. I packed the extra food into my pack.I was at a cemetary that the AT Guide said there was a spigot hikers can use. I walked back to the shed. No spigot. I saw a spigot in the middle of the cemetary. Hoping I wasn't walking on someone's grave and offending someone, I walked to the spigot. No water came out. Perhaps the water was not on yet, since it was so early in the year. Darn. I should have gotten water in town.I walked back to the road/Appalachian Trail. I walked to a T intersection and could not figure out which way to go. Darn I should have paid more attention to Hudson. I went right toward town a little while. I did not see white blazes, so I came back to the intersection. I thought to myself, it is not well marked. That is when I saw the white blaze in clear view of where I was. I just laughed at myself. What else was there to do?I found my way back into the woods on the AT. I had a good talk with myself. Why was I spewing negativity wherever I went and to whomever I met. No one was making me do this. I had chosen to be here. I could continue to gripe and complain about things in the past that did not work out the way I wanted or I could enjoy being here. I asked God to help me with my attitude. Amazing! Everything got better.I passed some nice views. See the photos. I met my first thru hiker of the season. I did not expect to meet any thru hikers in Connecticut in April. Einstein had been on the trail 93 days. Einstein said Tinman was behind him, slowly catching up. They had hiked Pennsylvannia together. He thanked me for packing out the trash in the duff bucket at Brassie Brook Shelter. He was thinking of spending the night there.I took pictures of the falls below the power plant on the Housatonic River. They were impressive. They were actively doing construction on the Iron Bridge, so I followed the three mile Appalachian Trail Detour signs on the road past country estates near Falls Village. Somehow it is much more tiring to walk on asphalt than it is to walk the trail. I rejoined the trail at US 7/CT 112.I came to Belter's Bump and had dinner. My destination was a campsite not a shelter. If I am tenting not near a shelter, I try to eat a mile or more from my tent site. As I ate, I heard voices but did not see anyone. Then I watched someone setup a tent downhill from where I was. I hoped he did not see me as I put on my two pairs of pantyhose and other warm clothes.After dinner, I packed up and hiked yards to Belters Campsite. The person I had watched was in campsite #4. I walked by his tent to the open air privy. See the photo. I scoped out the other campsites. Then I went a few more yards down the trail, to the spring for water. By the time I finished getting water, it was dark. Thank you, thank you, thank you to the person that put reflective tacks to mark the AT. Following the reflective tacks, I went back to the campsite and set up my tent.