Flood warnings and tstorms mean we are staying at the long trail inn.

Just some random pictures from the trail.

Bad picture I know, but it was a sad day. Saying goodbye to good friends, Pokey and Erin. This is probably the last time I will see them on the trip. The are two of the more incredible people I have met on the trail.

It sucks that we could not just ride the ski lift up the mountain. The weather wsa so bad at the top that this was the only thing we cold actually see.

I only had a few minutes at the library so just adding a few pictures. Phone service is getting more random on the trail so I am probably not going to renew my contract in early August and just update via the computer in towns. I will post when possible. It is just my cell bill has cost about as much as my entire trip. The cost to post pictures, etc was more than I had expected. I will still do what I can though. I do hope everyone is enjoying.

Made it to Rutland. I

Made it to Rutland. I was slipping and sliding all the way down. Only fell once. My poles are bent but they should be ok.

Well I am on Killington

Well I am on Killington but caught in thunderstorm. I am in shelter now and changed into dry clothes.

The mtn in the distance is Killington. It will be the toughest climb in VT. Hopefully my next post today will be the view from the peak.

View from the bridge.

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A hiker drowned here years ago trying to ford the gorge so a swinging bridge was installed.

It has been a great couple of days. Now that I am in Vermont I have slowed down and really enjoying the trail. When doing twenty plus mile days it is hard to relax and enjoy views, rivers, and lakes. Everyone kept saying they were going to slow down and enjoy it but then they never would. It is almost as if it is a race to them. I broke away and have been hiking with Leon, Tord, and Stats. It has been great to swim both days and to be able to stop at overlooks for snacks etc. We did 14 miles today still, but it was much more enjoyable.

I ran across this on the trail today. I guess it is the work of bored boy scouts.

Finally a good view without rain or fog. Becks peak.

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Bromley Mtn. Another foggy view.

Appalachian Trail - High Point State Park

High Point State Park - The highest point in New Jersey.

Near Bennington on AT.

Welcome to Vermont. And this is on top of the mtn. I got a late start because I was watching the TDF, but I still plan to do 18 or so.

Mirerable weather in mtns today.

Mirerable weather in mtns today. I am glad I started hiking at midnight to beat some of the weather. I am staying four miles from VT St. line.

Mill in Dalton. This where all the paper for american money is made.

In Dalton Mass. Tons of

In Dalton Mass. Tons of mosquitoes and alot of storms at night. I am heading to the movies tomorrow for the first time this summer.

I have been hiking with a MIT grad some lately and she invited me to go into town this morning with her and some of her research buddies. It was nice to have a full breakfast and I am sure the enjoyed the oppurtunity to be around an educated person for a change. jk of course.

The mtns off in the distance are the peaks I crossed yesterday afternoon and this morning. You can see the steep descent we had this morning after the rain I got caught in on Mt. Everett. I went into town for lunch and then hiked on. I did manage to get to the shelter just before a thunderstorm.

Bear Mtn. Highest peak in CT.

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Lions Head. I think I am going to head into Mass today instead of tomorrow.

Salisbury CT

I am trying to post but had a problem with my cell phone. I think it will be back up and running later today. I am at the library in Salisbury, CT and will only be here for lunch and then I will start my climb up Bear Mountain. There was a detour at one of the bridge crossings today so we had to take several miles of roadway which is always a problem, but it was cool that we went by the Limerock Racetrack. It is an old 1.5 mile track that several celebrities use to race their classic cars. I know Paul Newman used to use it as well. I have a picture on my phone taken from the ridge where you can see part of the track, but as of now I have not been able to post it. Hopefully later tonight.

The weather has been awesome. I have been using a lightweight long sleeve during the day to help with mosquitoes and I think at night the lows have been around 50. Well I am off to lunch and then back on the trail. Take care everyone.

Family night in Kent CT. The twins bday was this week so there mom flew up. Samwise and his parents drove up and Sam is getting back on the trail tomorrow. Sunbeams family drove twelve hours so it should be a busy night.

Kent CT. Another state down and New England welcomed us with wonderful views.

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Canopus Lake. Last night Samwise and his mom did trail magic for the hikers and made an awesome Indian dish. Tonight the local trail maint club barbequed for the hikers. I missed out on most of it because I was late getting in, but the burger and gatorades were great.

Crossing the hudson river. We just passed the lowest point on the A.T. at 124 feet above sea level.

On top of Bear Mtn. We had some friends cooking for us about ten miles away so I didnt get to spend as much time here as usual.

I know I have not posted much but I have had some long days. New York is not a joke. Lots of rocky ups and downs with a little rock climbing thrown in along the way.

Where'd everybody go?

The last couple days of New Jersey have been as nice as the first. Two nights ago we stayed at the former mayors house of Unionville where he and a few friends cooked dinner and breakfast for us. He has setup his house so that the basement will accommodate hikers and he lets people camp in his back yard. A couple friends of his hang out to help him with the accommodations. Then yesterday when we reached Vernon I left the group and headed into town for a few things. The rest of the group went another five miles and I will catch back up with them today. There were a few people I expected to show up last night but now I hear they decided to spend a few extra days in New York City. It is awesome though that this church just leaves its doors unlocked for hikers to shower, do laundry, sleep, use the computer, etc.

We are meeting Samwise and his family for a Hiker feed on Thursday in New York. I think we are going to actually meet them Wednesday to help them with the preparations. Well time for me to get back to the trail. I have some miles to make up today.

High Mtn - This marks the highest mtn in NJ

Waiting on the MET to open.

Early start this morning. We are meeting a friend from NYC and will be going into the city for July 4th.

New Jersey has been a great surprise. The views are fantastic. There are lakes everywhere. It is estimated that the part of NJ with the A.T. has one bear per sq mile. By the number of bites on my legs I would have to estimate there about 1 million mosquitos per mile as well.

We arrived at sunrise pavillion with lightening all around us. We waited out the storm and had planned on moving on. A youth group arrived and one of them fell and hurt her ankle. By the time the EMT and everyone had left another storm was nearing. You are not allowed to camp there but the ranger told us we could. I think he appreciated our help.

There is something a bit magical about NJ. It is just a different feeling than the other states. Maybe it is just all the lakes

Catfish Fire Tower