Date: 2003-08-10
From: Cornwall Bridge, CT

To: Belter's Campsite
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: light rain

8/10 Cornwall Bridge, CT to Belter's Campsite - 11.1 milesIt is getting harder and harder to get back on the trail after a weekend of hotel rooms and restaurants. Melissa and I got breakfast at the General Store. Aftershock was there. It was good to see him and good to know someone I knew would be near me on the trail.After many bye byes and be safes and don't camp alones, I was back on my own. Apparently there was a major river/creek crossing this morning that got alot of people wet. The water was high from last night's downpours. I accidentaly took the high water route not even realizing it. When Melissa and I got off the trail yesterday I noticed blazes going down toward town, but then they turned up Old Sharon Rd. #2. So that is where Melissa dropped me off this morning. As I was hiking up the road I noticed the blazes weren't white, but rather a faint light blue. I figured the road would eventually meet up with the AT, but didn't realize I was lucky enough to miss the river crossing. Oh well, I'm sure Maine will bring lots of water crossings.As I hiked the sun was out and brightly shining. Then I got a short downpour followed by sunsine. I took a break at the first shelter about 6 miles from where I started. Walk About and Froggy Pete were there alog with a SOBO. It was good to see Froggy Pete again. I hadn't seen him since the day he picnicked with my parents. :) I'm surprised he caught me, but at the same time I'm not. I may be faster than some of the older gentlemen on the trail, but I think they are more consistant with their mileage. The SOBO gave me some tips for how to get work for stay in the Whites. I won't divulge the secrets until after I get through the Whites. My biggest concern is being caught in the middle of a big group while going through there. I don't want to spend a lot of money and don't want to be stuck outside in the bad weather. I'm praying for blue sunny skies the whole way.When I left the shelter I was hearing some big rumbles, yet I was seeing sunshine and clear blue skies. I met another SOBO, Next Step, who was racing to the shelter to "beat the storm". I wonder if they even ever got a storm there. I'm also wondering if Next Step is Matt Goodson, a guy I met at an REI talk. He looked like it could be him, he had a dog, but I'm not 100% positive. I'll have to check his website to see if he switched from Northbounding to Southbounding.The rumbles got bigger but I made it to Belter's Campsite before any rain. And I found Strider here. Froggy Pete, Walk About and Miss Pula all showed up too. See Melissa - I'm not camping alone tonight :)The rain held off until about 8pm. It is amazing, but I was done cooking before then. I really enjoy early nights. I've decided I need to start getting up early so I can get to camp before dark and relax, rather than rush rush rush just to get to camp before dark. I say that, but anyone who knows me personally knows it is tough for me to get up early.Crashing before 9 tonight in hopes of getting to Salisbury for lunch and enjoying dinner at Riga Lean-to. I hear there are good views there.