Hiking is a bit like life. The journey only requires you to put one foot in front of the other.
April 17, 2024
AT miles: 12.0
Ascent: 1846’
Descent: 1635’
Weather: Perfect — sunny and 60’s
Sightings: one deer, two garter snakes, and two turkeys
High points: Arriving at the meeting point with Cynthia and Nancy just as they got out of their car. Timing is everything.
Nancy and Cynthia have been my trail angels this trip. They have shuttled me to trailheads and to the hotel. This morning Nancy drove me back to the trail and then went back to the hotel — she and Cynthia decided to skip the first five miles, but she still drove me!
The first five miles were easy and uneventful. I had a few nice views.
The hike was mostly just a nice walk in New England woods.
The trail in New York is never far from a road or a house. Traffic noise accompanied almost my entire walk today, though the scenery was pretty.
The warm sunny weather has made the wildflowers burst into bloom. So many more are in bloom now than just a few days ago!
I met up with Nancy and Cynthia at Rt 52. The traffic noise increased, and we finally crossed over interstate I-84.
We walked by a huge oak tree — it must have many stories to tell!
The trail meandered up and down through the woods. We stopped for a snack at a shelter that had books and games on a cute protected shelf!
The Appalachian Trail does not have many benches. I think that the people who maintain it are of the opinion that the ACT should be a point of connection with the wilderness, and benches are too civilized for it. So whenever I see a bench on the AT it makes me ridiculously happy!
We finished the hike at the parking area on Rt 55 and drove back to the hotel. Chocolate chip cookies were available, and I grabbed one. After all that walking, that cookie was DELICIOUS!
Today is a great day for a long walk in the woods!