2/6/26
strangers in the night
So there I was, in my cozy home away from home (aka tent), fast asleep and dreaming of Katahdin, ahhh how sweet it will be!
Then, out of nowhere, I wake up to a crunching noise, right next to my head. That…? It took me about 5 seconds (who knows for sure?) to realize that someone was trying to break into my abode! I think I screamed “what the fuck?” When I retrieved my headlamp, the perpetrator was nowhere to be found. I even looked around, but there were no bright eyes in the darkness. The worst thing was that the scoundrel made some holes in the display of my store… are you kidding me?! Am I coming to throw stones at your windows? I don’t think so!
Anyway, that’s how my “day” started, damn!
My hike began with a beautiful walk along the Housatonic River.
And then shit hit the fan. I think there were about 5 calf-tightening climbs today. Of course, not the white ones, but enough to catch my attention. There were some nice views too.
Also, a tremendous and terrifying downhill race towards the end of the day.
The day then concluded with a 2.5 mile walk along the same river I started with. And I’m camped almost the same distance from the water as I was last night.
Hopefully there aren’t any store-eating gremlins lurking here!
3/6/26
7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., 15.5 miles
He packed up and headed down the trail. The first 2 miles or so were along the Housatonic River (again).
4/6/26
Get up at 4:30 am and hit the trail at 6:30 am, for the 11.3 miles to Salisbury, CT.
Fitzgerald Falls, beautiful scenery, easy terrain, for the most part.
5/6/26
12.5 miles today, which may not seem like much, but it was hot and there was a 3700 climb…steep uphill!
The day began with a casual walk outside Salisbury, after spending the night at Maria MacCabe’s house. New hiker acquaintances include “El Cheapo,” “Frizz,” “Marathon,” and Bob.
I went up Bear Mountain, it wasn’t easy, good views. Later, we descended to Sages Ravine, which had incredible views of the creek that ran through it. A hiker was swimming in a deep pool. He said it was pretty cold…shrinkage?!
Next, we headed up Mount Race, which included incredible views of the ridges. I took many photos.
After that, the trail descends and levels out a bit. With about 2 miles to go, I was already thinking about having dinner and putting my feet up, but Mt. Everett kicked me in the groin; I didn’t even know it was coming. It was a steep and rocky path, but I managed not to burst an artery and climbed it and climbed it. Then finally we will go down to the Glen Brook refuge area to camp.
6/6/26
7:15 am – 2:45 pm; 14.3 miles
Great day today, for two reasons. First, within the first 2 miles, I surpassed 500 miles of trail! I’m pretty sure I’m finally getting my trails. Both yesterday and today my legs worked like well-oiled pistons. Ok, maybe not that impressive, but it felt pretty good. My most recent foot injury is almost heeling (ha, get it?) and that makes a big difference.
Reason #2: My daughter and my partner/boyfriend were headed to Cape Cod for a wedding.
They had texted me the day before, suggesting we could meet up…say what?! We first tried to take Route 7, but I arrived too early. We then tried to go to Boardman Street, but again I was too early. Our last chance was Homes Road, over 3 more miles for me and about 45 minutes for them…so I put it into overdrive! It was flat, including the mosquito-infested swampy area. I was going to have record time… until “the hill”, it was only a mile to go, damn it! At that moment I reconnected with El Cheapo and the last mile flew by, well sort of. Anyway, I made it to the parking lot just 2 minutes after they parked – a logistical home run!!
And they brought snacks, Gatorade, chocolate milk, and peanut m&m’s: SCORE!
We chatted, took pictures, discussed the trail, tested my backpack, and met other hikers. Then it was time to part ways, them to the beach and me back to the forest (kind of like the cornfield in the movie Field Of Dreams).
After that it was only 3.5 miles to Tom Leonard’s shelter. A pretty early day for 14+ miles. Like I said, TRAIL LEGS!
Shout
Shout out to my trainers at Skan Comm Ctr…Shannon (spin class) and Kate/Cate (?) (high intensity training class). Thanks to these two bad asses, my glutes are kicking butt (ha, see what I did there?!).
Keep walking!
Acorn
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