It sure does feel good to be back
It was 4:55AM as I glanced at my thermometer I refocused my eyes to make sure I was reading it right: 68.9 degrees. It was not even 5:00AM and it was already almost 70 degrees. That's when I realized it was going to be a long day.
I hit trail at 5:45AM this morning in hopes of covering as many miles as possible before the heat and humidity became completely unbearable. Cookie and I set a goal of covering at least 14 miles by lunch.
The trail out of the campsite was a gradual climb to the dull summit of West Mountain. Afterwards the trail followed the perimeter of Nuclear Lake, I'd like to know how this lake got its name.
At County Road 20 I passed Dover Oak, which is supposingly the largest oak tree on the trail. It apparently measures 20ft, four inches around. I will say this, it was an awfully large tree.
At the Appalachian Trail Rail Road Station I chugged a liter of water. On weekends you can take a train from here to NYC, something I highly advise future hikers to do.
After a climb and some traversing of a ridge I rolled into Wiley Shelter around 11:00AM. By this point I had already consumed 2.5 lters of water, and I consumed two more during this break.
Ten minutes after leaving the shelter I realized I was missing a croc. I had no intention of looking for it, I just assumed it would be gone forever.
1.2 miles north of the shelter I crossed into Connecticut, closing the chapter on NY. I'm now also in New England, which I consider to be my home. I've lived here all my life and it sure does feel good to be back.
After going up and over ten mile hill I rolled into Ten Mile River Lean to around 1:00PM. By this point I had gone at least 15 miles and it was an exhausting 15 due to the heat. As I was settling in for lunch, Sinker rolled in and gave me my missing croc. It seems I dropped it just north of Wiley Shelter, and he was kind enough to carry it for me.
Lunch consisted of eating good and taking a nap, which Cookie took part in as well. At 2:30PM we collected our things and walked down to the river for a swim, which is just what the doctor ordered.
This is also where the necklace one my teacher's gave me came off. I determined it must of happened while I was swimming. This is upsetting because he had the necklace for 15 years before giving it to me for this hike.
After a 1,000 foot climb to the summit of Schagticoke mountain, Cookie and I rolled into camp around 6:00PM.
It's time to sleep, I can't write anymore.
Good night, and good luck.
Kirby
Ga>ME 2008.
