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