Sprout Day 67 (Thursday, June 2, 2016)

We got up and on the trail earlier today, we're trying to get going earlier everyday.  We were hiking by 8:00 and went 12 miles today!  We made it to Connecticut towards the end of the hike.  It feels great to be in a new state!  On the way to the shelter we stopped for a break around 11, I walked down to Tony’s Deli with Mountain Man.  When I got to the deli I drank an iced coffee, a Sunkist, and a bottle of water.  Then, I took a turkey sub back to split with Bubbles and a couple more cold drinks.  We got back on the trail and stopped at the next shelter for a quick break.  

A couple miles into our hike we got to see the oldest oak tree on the trail. It's huge about 6 ft diameter and estimated to be over 300 years old! It was crazy how big this tree is.  By far the biggest tree I've ever seen.  We walked through a bunch of pastures today too.  It was nice walking through the fields but it was a huge temperature change.  We were out in the open and it was just too hot.

Oldest Tree

Oldest Tree

Bubbles by the massive tree!!

Boardwalk trail today

It's much cooler to walk through the shade provided by trees in the forest than to walk through fields

Beaver?

Bubbles in a field

Farm Structure

Bubbles going over an electric fence

Whiteblaze in a field

Back to the forest!

Bubbles and I hugging the huge oak!

When we made it to Ten Mile River Shelter I was relieved.  It was a long hike and I was ready to sit down for the day.  A local was sitting at the shelter with some cold brews, which was a nice surprise! I sat and had a couple of drinks.  I didn't stay long because I had to get camp set up.  I was thinking on the way to the shelter how nice it would be to cool off in the river.  I got down to the camping area which is right next to the river and noticed Mountain Man was just getting out of the water.  I set up the tent, hung the bear bag, made a clothes line, and jumped in.  It was such a great feeling to get into the river cool off.  Bubbles and Whiskers jumped in too. We rinsed all of our clothes off and cooled off for a few minutes.  We couldn't stay in too long because we still had to eat, make dinner, and get ready for bed.  

Camping at Ten Mile River Shelter

Bubbles cooling off in the river

Whiskers and Bubbles cooling off

Bubbles, Karma, and Mountain Man

Tomorrow is going to be a long day.  We're planning on doing 15 miles tomorrow!  I'm going to try to get up at 5:00 and get moving.  It would be nice to be on the trail by 6. I think we are  passing Kent tomorrow.  We might go into town depending on what time we get in the area.

This is such a beautiful spot to camp because we are right by the river.  There's a bunch of flat spots for camping, and the sound of the river is so relaxing.  I don't see how I couldn't get some great sleep tonight! Life is good on the trail!

Day:  67

Miles hiked:  12.8

Total Miles hiked on the trail:  596.7

Bears:   0

Bluegill:  2

Butterflies:  8

Chipmunks:  3

Cows:  24

Crawfish:  1

Deer:  20

Donkeys:  2

Horses:  12

Hummingbird:  1

Inchworm:  1

Really Big Dog:  1

Mice:  2

Nest of bugs:  2

Newts:  2

Owl:  1

Rabbit:  1

Skunk:  1

Snail:  1

Snake:  2

Squirrels:  11

Toads:  3

Trout:  2

Turkeys:  4

Turtles:  107

Vultures:  6

Woodpecker:  1

Bubbles Day 67 (Thursday, June 2nd, 2016)

Today was a day for the books!  My hike was beyond enjoyable.  We started off early, although not as early as I would have hoped (again).  I wanted to be walking with the sunrise.  Maybe tomorrow!  

After we packed we trickled out of camp and down the beaten path.  Shortly into our hike we came across the biggest oak tree on the Appalachian trail. It was magnificent, to say the least. It would take at least five hikers to hug all the way around the tree!  I was so happy to be there with friends.  We all took pictures together and spoke of its magic.  It was a refresher for me because we have been walking through forests of American Hemlocks, which are all dying.  I love evergreens so it was a sad feeling to walk through these forests of dead and dying trees.  I think they are dying from Hemlock woolly adelgid.  

Gigantic Tree!

The gang!  Sprout, Bubbles, Mountain Man, Karma, and Whiskers

We left the Goliath of a tree and walked up stone steps into the most beautiful field.  There were purple flowers everywhere and tall grass swaying in the breeze.  I was captivated by its beauty and again felt beyond thankful to be here.  I am right where I'm supposed to be.  The fragrance of the purple flowers was so wonderful I would have laid in that field all day, but ticks are bad around here so I didn't linger.  I wish you all could smell the heavenly scents of the flower fields. It's a memory and smell I won't forget.

Field

Sprout and the gang ahead of me on the trail

After the field it was back to forest.  It was nice to be in the shade of the trees.  I walked behind Sprout for a while and then he went ahead at his own pace.  I met him again at the beaver pond where our trail family was soaking in the sun. The boys left and headed to Tony's Deli to get sandwiches. Yayyy.  I am so thankful that Karma and I have such great hiking partners.

Karma on the trail

Blazes on a tree

I massaged my feet and put fresh socks on. Karma and I went to the garden center to wait for the boys.  It was a nice break and the garden center was very hiker friendly.  I am thankful for businesses and hiker friendly towns that help us hikers. It's amazing.

Appalachian Trail train stop!

This is LOUD.  You might want to turn your speakers down!

After eating half a sub we hopped back on the AT.  Today's hike was pretty much next to perfect. We walked through more fields and cow pastures.  Up and over electrical fences.  Again, the fields were littered with flowers but this time there were birds fluttering around.  It was a sight to see.

Trail today

We got to the next shelter (Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter) and stopped to take a break before trekking to our destination.  I laid with my butt against the wall and elevated my feet 90 degrees against shelter wall.  Hopefully that helps with my achy feet and ankles.  Whiskers came into camp and he developed two new blisters from his shoes. I hope he doesn't have too much pain or problems with those suckers. He is a really nice guy and we enjoy seeing him in camp.  He takes great photos of the trail.  I thought he might be a professional photographer but it's just a hobby.

AT Wiley Shelter

Nice selection of cooking pots for over a fire

Free Library on the trail!

Made it to Connecticut

I finally made it to camp and we set up at a beautiful campsite close to the Ten Mile River.  We took a dip in the river and rinsed our clothes out.  The sound of the river is peaceful and I am again caught thinking to myself  "I am living in a dream world, how lucky am I?"

Ten Mile River camp (Karma and Mountain Man)

Love the AT!

Smudgy Cheeks Day 65 (Tuesday, May 31st, 2016)

I hiked 8.8 miles to the next shelter today.  I stopped at Tony's Deli again to charge my phone and then headed back out.  I wanted to do 20 miles today but I'm listening to my body.  It told me to stop so I'm spending the rest of the day here at the shelter relaxing!

Massive farm structure

Sign on a tree today

Biggest Oak tree on the trail.  It is massive!!!

Day:  65

Miles hiked:  8.8

Total Miles hiked on the trail:  519.8

Bear: 1

Chipmunk: 1
Deer: 1

Snakes: 2
Toads: 2

Vulture: 1

Zoo Animals:   2 foxes, 1 porcupine, 1 bobcat, 1 turtle, 2 bears

Smudgy Cheeks Day 60 (Thursday, May 26th, 2016)

Today I hiked 3.5 miles.  I was going to go further but I got myself turned around and got off the trail earlier than I wanted to.  My sister is going to pick me up at Tony's Deli tomorrow.  I got off the trail way before that but got a ride to the deli.  

I got two rides today from two people.  First, an Irish guy named Francis and then by a girl named Chelsea.  She took me 12 miles to where I was supposed to hike to!  I freaking love good people!

View from today

Day:  60

Miles hiked:  3.5

Total Miles hiked on the trail:  497.7

Bear: 1

Chipmunk: 1
Deer: 1

Snakes: 2
Toads: 2

Vulture: 1

Zoo Animals:   2 foxes, 1 porcupine, 1 bobcat, 1 turtle, 2 bears