Date: 2010-05-23
From: 10 Mile River Shelter

To: Mt Algo Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: overcast clouds

1 CPR.  Re: NY. The trails were fairly obvious for 95% or more of the way. However the NY trail crews didn't waste a lot of paint on the white blazes. For some parts where the trail wasn't  all that obvious it was a search for a blaze and then head out on what looks like the most likely route. And after 50 yds or so it would be confirmed as correct or go back to the last blaze and look again for the next marking.  But if you weren't perfectly lined up from one blaze looking at the other ( which could be on a tree, on a rock or on the ground) you'd be hard pressed to see it. Also, I have seen a lot of coyote signs, but the night at RPH Shelter of all places was the first time I heard a coyote singing. This reminded me of Cousin Ronnie who enjoyed very much listening to the coyotes howling on his deer lease. Re: Hot Czech's Apple. I was halfway up the first big climb in CT when I stopped for a short break and ate the apple she gave me. It immediately reminded me of a Scout on a Philmont trek. He had kept a journal ( the old timey one of pencil and paper variety) about his Philmont hike. Some day's entries were 1/2 page, others were 2 pages or more. After a week or 10 days on the trail, we came upon a backcountry commissary where he bought an apple. And after eating essentially Gerbers onsies for all time he was quiet engrossed with his apple and wrote a whole page entry of it in his journal, describing how fresh, crunchy, chewy, sweet, delicious, etc it was. Hot Czech's apple was just like the young Scouts. I ate everything but the stem and the grainy spot on the bottom. Note to Tish: your apple was great also but it didn't remind me Philmont. Plus yours was a photo prop in my birthday picture2. Report. Last night ended peacefully.  There was an openeadow in front of the shelter and I went to sleep watching fireflies light up the evening. Later, Night Escapades, Part 2 continued. I woke about quarter after two and thought I was seeing the mother of all fireflies. It was quite bright and getting brighter. Turned out to be a nite hiker who came in and got set up in the shelter and then left. With apologies to Lady Antebellum, I didn't need anybody now. I stayed awake for about another 1/2 hour wondering where the guy went and drifted back to sleep. And shortly after that he returned, waking me up again.  I would discover in the. Morning there were two.  I was up at avg time and getting ready to start hiking. I was prepared to take a zero at the shelter if it was raining as forecast. My barometer on my Dick Tracy wrist  watch showed high and level, whatever that means in meterology terms. It was heavy overcast and I decided to give it a go for hiking since I planned a relatively short hike today. McIntyre was soon up and talking about how the late arrivals woke/kept him up. I don't understand how when there is 14 hours of daylight one needs to hike at night. Anyways, I was very courteous in packing up. It was Sunday afterall and Pastor Sherry would have been proud of me. I Deflated my mattress outside the shelter and even went down the trail a bit a fold my Tyvek groundcloth. These make a lot of crinkling noise. Wool E Mammoth says you need to wash them to cut down on the noiseI hiked to a market on the Bulls Bridge Rd. It's an old New England covered bridge that Geo Washington is said to have used. Got me a couple of coffees and a sausage/egg/cheese biscuit and was good to go hiking. My trail book says I passed thru the Schaghticoke Indian Reservation. But with all due due respect to Native Americans, I didn't see a casino.  I hiked one area which looked a little challenging. Long, steep rock ledge with a 15 foot drop off. Passed that quite easily. Saw a lot of mushrooms which leads to another ...  JP quote:  "If it looks kinda sorta like the mushrooms you buy in the store then they might be ok to eat."  Later on I was in an area with partly bald rocks, low vegetation and trees. I was following what appeared to be the trail over the bald rocks when I noticed a blaze well off my mark. I then walked off the rocks into the vegetation to get a better view of the blaze. Then LOUD and CLOSE - RATTLESNAKE!!  I jumped straight up and somehow levitated back to the bald rocks. I then tried to assess the situation: where was I, where was the trail and more importantly where was the snake. I saw the snake and he was a grandpappy. He was all coiled up and I couldn't see his head but his body was at least the size of my wrist and could be forearm size. I didn't approach any closer but did take some photos with camera on telephoto  I got a good image of his rattles. Don't know what the world record is but I'm betting he had between 15 and 20 buttons. In assessing the situation I must have stepped directly over him and left my foot about a boot width away when he sounded off. I said a couple of "Thank You Lord Jesus" and bid good afternoon to the rattlerThe rest of the hike was dull and boring.  I arrived at the Mt Algo Lean To mid afternoon and got settled in. Washed my clothes and hung out to dry. Having a smorgasbord appetizer of all my food sack: jerky from Mitch, cheese and salami from McIntyre, and assorted snacks. All I need now is a carafe of zinfindel. I plan to retire early then hike into KentHikers lore says it takes about 3 weeks to develop your "trail legs.". That would make it just about right for me now since my first week really ended up as a negative one week. But I think it'such more than just getting your legs trail worthy. To me it's your entire body, mind and soul.  I can state clearly that I felt I had my trail legs the day I left Bear Mtn. My daily mileage has increased and a good part of that is attributable to more accomodating trails. I don't know that I'll want to sustain the recent pace. In fact  my new near term plans have a couple of short days programmed.  Shameless Solicitation update. It appears I'll be arriving (and thus leaving) Salisbury earlier than planned  Currently I'm projecting arriving Wed May 26, taking a zero and leaving early Fri May 28. I'll post plans for next stop which should be Dalton MA when a little more definiteNote No Cell service Sun niteLife is Great!