"There is a pleasure in the pathless woods; There is rapture on the lonely shore; There is society, where none intrudes, By the deep sea, and music in its roar: I love not man the less, But nature more."
-Lord Byron
Start: Kent, Ct
Finish: West Cornwall Road
Today: 16.0 mi
Total: 292.0 mi
I feel great today! We totally got unsolicited trail magic before even getting to the trail. As we walked the 1 mile road walk from Kent to the trailhead, a Subaru (first hint) with two ladies in it pulled over. They asked us if we were hiking the trail and whether we knew their friend Funnybone. They were meeting him today and offered us a ride to the trailhead. After dropping us off they handed each of us zip-locks bursting with cold grapes and cherries. There wasn't even any Yogi-ing (the act of inviting yourself to or trying to get someone to offer you their food).
Once we started hiking I was really moving. I don't know if it was the zero yesterday or the new boots but I was running on all eight cylinders gliding over roots, past rocks and up the climbs. By the time I reached the first landmark, a stream, I had traveled 3 miles in less than an hour. Pretty fast! I sat there and waited for Heather and No Whistle while eating my second breakfast (Snickers and grapes). I closed my eyes and took in the sounds of the forest: the crickets, birds singing, creaking trees and the sound of water cascading down the stream.
It felt good to be in Connecticut with it's cute towns, lots of trail magic and streams that actually had water flowing in them. A couple miles later we reached Galebs Peak with it's beautiful views of blue skies and rolling mountains. We ate our first lunch there. Burning so many calories (6000+) a day you eat as many meals as a Hobbit (from Lord of the rings). There is first Breakfast naturally followed by second breakfast with elevenses coming next right before luncheon and later followed by afternoon tea, then dinner and last but not least, supper.
By 2 PM we made it to Stewart Hollow shelter 7 miles into the day. Today is going so well. 10 more miles to go. A little bit later I passed a tree with a sign and a bag of orange soda trail magic. The sign said "keep strong on your journey...you are doing what many can only dream of doing. I hope the trail is treating you well. Please enjoy a quick snack or drink -Steve." Amazing!
At 7:45 PM we glided onto West Cornwall Rd. after a very respectable 16 mi day. I felt great. An overwhelming sense of accomplishment - can't wait for tomorrow!
-DADDY LONG LEGS
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