Date: 2017-07-02
From: Telephone Pioneers of America Shelter

To: Bull's Bridge, CT
Miles today: 14.5

I was once again reminded today that no one hikes the Appalachian Trail alone. We experienced trail magic three times today and it is a constant reminder of the goodness and generosity of the people along the trail. As you struggle up a climb, reach a summit, gather water from a spring, or a myriad of other tasks it's easy to think you are doing it on your own, but really there are angels all along the path helping us out.We started out the day with blinding sunlight streaming through the mist into the shelter. It rained a lot last night and we were glad to have a dry place to stay. We could have tented, but staying in the shelter allowed us to not have to deal with wet tents in the morning. And thankfully the mosquitoes weren't too bad. Tiger Lily and Reece had opted to tent it, so it was just Burps and I in the shelter.I retrieved our food bags from the tree and we packed up and ate breakfast. We said our goodbyes and started down the mountain. After a relatively short descent we came to the Dover Oak, the largest oak tree on the AT, estimated to be over 300 years old. As we were admiring the tree a car pulled up and said they were going to be doing trail magic. This was very exciting even though it was early in the morning and we were fresh. Cold drinks and snacks are a hiker's dream. I got an ice cold Mountain Dew and Burps a Gatorade.  The couple were AT veterans themselves and knew what trail magic meant to hikers. Sidetracked had done about 750 miles several years ago before be developed back problems. Miles from Nowhere had almost completed the trail in Maine before she herself developed back problems. She keeps trying to strengthen her back to complete those last few miles. These were great people and had driven 45 minutes from their home to set up their magic under the majestic Dover Oak. We took our pictures, said our goodbyes and continued north.The next few miles were a hikers dream, a mixture of pastures, forests, and boardwalks over swamps provided easy walking, variety, and views. We came out of the swamp to a railway stop, the Appalachian Trail stop on the Metro-North line out of NYC. The train only stops here on weekends and holidays, but gives direct public transport to the trail. Tiger Lily and Reece had come from the city on this train. We rested on the benches for a few minutes and then continued on to find Native Landscapes, a garden center that specializes in native plants and is hiker friendly. They offered drinks, ice cream, hiker supplies, showers - all for a fee but also a gazebo to sit in and water and an outside shower for free. Trail magic once again in another form!We continued on through more pastures under blue skies and warm sunshine, and came to a road with even more trail magic! Trail angel Carol had left a tub of watermelon and jugs of water at the road crossing. We gobbled some watermelon and left our thanks in the trail register.  All this trail magic had slowed us down some, but it was one of those AT experiences you just have to take in and enjoy. We had gone for weeks without very much trail magic, and now we had a bounty.We continued on through much of the afternoon with gentle grades, fairly open forests, a few swamps, clear flowing streams, blue skies and thoughts of this is how we imagined the AT was going to be through New York. The rocks were behind us and we walked on dirt covered paths. By mid afternoon we came to the Connecticut border, another state down! New York had been interesting and we left it on a section of trail we just loved.We began Connecticut with a few swampy areas and then a big climb up Ten Mile Hill, with nice views from the top. A quick descent down the river and we were at the Ten Mile shelter. Decision time- we wanted to go on but the next campsite was 5.5 miles and a big climb away. I proposed an alternate plan, people food! We were only 40 minutes or so from Bull's Bridge, which had a nice little tavern.  Let's head there and maybe we can find a place to camp nearby. (Connecticut only lets AT hikers camp at designated campsites). We agreed and I hustled down the trail while Burps finished getting his water. Hustled was a bad choice of words, on a very flat and level part of the trail I stumbled over a root and fell flat on my face. I broke my glasses, ripped a gash in my hand and injured my pinkie finger. I dusted myself off, took stock, retrieved my broken glasses, and tended to my wounds. There was nothing to do but continue on so I started walking again. Burps came up from behind and I showed him the damage. Argh, how stupid.  We continued on and came to the famed Bull's Bridge covered bridge (built in 1842).  We passed through and came to the tavern, asked if the "served our kind" (stinky Hiker Trash) and they did.  We had a spectacular meal and asked if there was a place to camp nearby. The young lady at the bar said the owner lets hikers camp behind the restaurant and so we went out and started setting up our tents as it was starting to rain. Fireworks started going off in the background as we dove in our tents to the sound of the rain. A great finish to a great day with the exception of my mishap. Tomorrow we go into Kent, CT to pick up a mail drop and do a badly needed resupply.(Note: I am a week behind on journal entries but will be trying to catch up now that we'll have better access to power to charge my phone. I try to keep pictures updated so you can watch our progress.  Thanks for your patience!)