Connecticut
Kent

"I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to."

Journal Entry 6.25.00
"8:15pm in my tent at Bear Rock Stream Campsite. I'm here alone, in this big desolate campground. There's thunder rolling in the distance - I hope it's not too bad when it hits. I hiked 19 miles today, 12 yesterday and 10 the day before. I had my 3-mile day to Kent on Thursday and got all my stuff done before Dad and Paul arrived. While in town I saw Wholesome and I invited him to stay over in our room. So we all hiked back to the shelter to get his stuff (less than 1 mile from the road) when Dirk showed up and so we invited him too. The thru-hikers were livin' the high life! On Friday Dad, Paul and I set out to hike our first leg of their three-day visit. We had the most perfect weather - cool and sunny with a nice breeze. The trail was great too so it made for a great day. We decided to try to get a hotel in Cornwall but then hitched back to Kent to get Paul's car and wound up staying in Kent again. Dad had a blast hitching a ride back to town - Paul was in the back of the pick-up and we were in the cab. The guy who picked us up was Michael J. Fox's pool man! Oh yeah, I gave Paul the trail name of "Barkeater" because of him being a ADK 46-er and all that. I think it suits him well!"

"On Saturday we drove back to Cornwall and continued hiking again, this time doing 12 miles to the Housatonic thinking we would go for another hotel. Paul and I hitched back to his car and then we drove back, got Dad and looked for a place to stay but EVERYTHING was booked. So we ended up camping near Falls Bridge on this rocky island with a zillion mosquitoes. It was pretty hilarious to listen to Dad and Paul in their tent, swatting mosquitoes and yelling at each other to zip up the door. Today they slacked and I carried my full pack to Salisbury - we did 10 miles by noon. Slacking definitely made for an easier hike for them. But the mosquitoes were ferocious! We had lunch in Salisbury and then they dropped me off and headed home. I hiked another 9 miles and here I am. I wish it was another nice night but instead it's raining and now thundering with some lightning. Oh well. At least I hit a new state today - Massachusettes!"

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