Date: 2012-07-16
From: AT train station Rt. 22 and Dawn Hill Road

To: Hoyt Road and Rt. CT 341 Kent, CT.
Miles today: 16.5

We are in CONNECTICUT as of yesterday!!! NINE DOWN and 5 to go!!! When we were driving to the start spot today, we passed the Edward R. Murrow park so after dropping SOS off, I stopped there on my way back. I wanted to find out why there was a park here named for him. (For the younger set, Edward R. Murrow was a famous journalist who might be best known for challenging Senator Joseph McCarthy's Communist witchhunt.) I didn't find out why at the park or online..but I did find some hiker friends camping at the park! NoKey (love his name...he sold his car and has no home right now so therefore no keys) and Sprinkles and Testament were there. We hadn't seen Nokey and Sprinkles for a long time so it was great to see them. Testament is doing a long section with them. I took them all into town and we all had things to do at the post office. We talked a little and then I went to another street where they had some nice shops...including a YARN shop. I haven't seen a yarn shop in a long time but alas...this one isn't open on Monday...so saved me from more yarn:-) I drove back to the Pine Grove hotel to check out. When I was leaving, my little 2 year old friend was way down at the other end but saw me and waved a great big wave! She really made me miss my sweet grandbabies but I will get to see them soon when we come home for Grandma Camp at the end of the month. I am looking forward to Grandma camp as much as they are! On to pick up SOS who was doing a split hike today...finishing up the rest of what he tried to do yesterday before the rain and lighting cancelled that plan. After lunch with hiker friends Peach and Overdrive at yet another diner (have you figured out that we like diners??),I drove him to his second start spot of the day. On the way there, we saw Shaggy..and talked to him. He is also from Indiana and went to Ball State so he and I sang a little of the BSU fight song since it is my alma mater also! Manfred, a hiker from Germany, and Comanche, a hiker from Maine were at the start spot and needed a ride into town so we took them to the General Store near our new hotel...the Hitching Post Country Motel and waited while they did their purchases. I drove SOS to his start and then took the two guys to where Manfred wanted to do a geocache. Comanche and I waited and talked while Manfred disappeared into the woods. After a time he returned triumphant with a picture to show us of his geocache. (Lorenz family...I have his geocache name so you can look him up since you like to geocache also and Manfred wanted you to have it!) I then drove them to their afternoon start spot and came back to our new home. I fixed us some dinner for later...rice with broccoli and chicken and zucchini with yellow squash and onions in the microwave. SOS had left his phone in the car with me so that worried me all afternoon but things turned out well. I left a little early to pick him up. While driving thru Kent, CT. , there was Headnout walking down the street. He and Nancy (Tagnalong) were camping behind a church in town so after picking up SOS right outside of town, we went back to their campsite. All of us decided to go for ice cream across the street...expensive ice cream but then everything seems to be more expensive this far north. We visited awhile and then back to the room for us. I have a new plan for surviving the ripe odor of SOS' clothes in a small room. He has been coming off the trail in this heat without one dry thread anywhere on his clothes! So today I decided to wash them out in the sink and hang them up to dry so that is what I did while he showered. It improved the smell in here dramatically! We ate our dinner and watched the Antiques Roadshow before sleep. Road Name of the Day: PENNY LANE This is for our friend Penny. We have known her since she and I met at Abbett School in Ft. Wayne. She was the school secretary and as good as they come. She loves kids and was the perfect person to meet and greet visitors...she made everyone feel welcome. THANKS for your friendship, Penny!