Date: 2016-06-28
From: NY52 stealth site

To: CT 55 Gaylordville CT
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: light rain

Total 2016 miles 1455.8   So last night went from bad to worse as night turned to very early morning. The rain became heavy and my tent seemed to be having some serious sag issues as well as intense condensation issues from within. I decided to get up at 4:15a after sleeping horribly due to traffic zooming by only 50 feet from my tentsite and my inability to properly stake my tent. As I exited I found the problem as the two bottom stakes of my tent near my feet had dislodged during the night. What a sad sight. My tent was a soaking wet and sand covered mess! Got to hike though. I packed everything up hiking in my sleep shorts and shirt as I refused to get into the wet and sandy clothes from the night before. I tried hard to not imagine how much more all my wet gear weighed than it did when bone dry. I was hiking by 5:20. I hiked over I-84, I thought if I could get a ride east, this freeway would bring me to within 5 miles of my house. Get a grip, you homesick ninny! I hiked on reaching the first shelter, slightly hating the dry hikers waking and just starting their day. As I moved on, I thought about the state of my tent and the serious time commitment it would take to dry all my stuff. I also considered my original plan to only go home for the holiday weekend. The kids would be all over the place and between various parties it would over before I knew it! I've been hiking my ass off for 70 days just to get here and see them, why not just go home today? Get my stuff dry there and spend some extra time with them?    I called my father in law to see if he could grab me and he was available. The plan was on. I still wanted my arrival to be a complete surprise though. He picked me up at 2:40pm, as I had hustled 22.5 miles in soaked socks and shoes. Went and showered and laundered some clothes at his house and called my wife's good friend to get here out of the house. They were having drinks at the local Mexican joint. I was delivered to the drop off and sneaked into the bar. I have been planning this surprise for weeks in my mind as I walk through the woods all day. Her reaction was priceless. Total shock! She blurted something and embraced me. She wrapped her arms around my skinny torso and I could feel her beginning to cry. "Oh my God, you need to eat a cheeseburger!", she said through her mini sobs of joy. It's easy to shock someone you have been with for more than half your life, so I was proud to have pulled it off.    My two oldest sons came up, but my wife couldn't fool them. It was great to see them. My 16 year old is as tall as me now, shoulders a bit broader and voice a bit deeper. I had to stay up way past my bedtime, 11:15pm, to see my 14 year old. Whoa! He has really sprouted up and has super long hair. The difference was shocking. Great to be home and give my body a much needed rest. Weirdest thing about being back in CT. was seeing things that were familiar. Since Stecoah Gap, everything I have seen and experienced has been brand new. Strange, but good. Getting back on trail next Tuesday morning after a full six zero's!Living Proof