START LOCATION: Mt. Algo Lean-to
FINISH LOCATION: CT-4/Great Falls
TODAY'S MILEAGE: 11.4
TRIP MILEAGE: 1,467.8
MILES TO GO: 711.3
Mt. Algo is only .3 miles from the road that takes you to Kent, CT.
Fredo was on his way around 8:30 AM and Smoke and I headed down there
around 9. The 1/2 road walk into Kent was gorgeous... The weather was
cool and sunny first of all. Second, the pastures and grounds of the
private Kent School were beautiful as well. Kent is classic New
England small town. It has a central 4-way intersection with a granite
monument, a couple little churches, antique shops, coffee houses and
federalist style homes everywhere.
Smoke and I stopped at a convenience store and then on to a breakfast
place. We saw Fredo outside a nice cafe talking with a friendly and
talkative section hiker. Smoke and I grabbed food and joined them. As
we ate, the town was coming alive. Weekenders, locals, bikers and
cyclists were all gearing up for what we think was an Independence Day
parade.
We wrapped up our meal and stopped by the outfitter. They had anti-
chafing protectant! Hallelujah! As we were leaving, the friendly and
talkative hiker was dropping Fredo off out front. Smoke asked if we
could get a ride back to the trailhead... Yep! Hospitality even in New
England.
Our first 4 miles was a 800' up and down. The down might have been the
steepest down we've hiked on the AT. When we arrived at the bottom, we
were at a dirt road and parking area next to the Housatonic River. An
older woman was sitting immature camp chair reading a book. She said
her family was day hiking and she was resting and waiting for them. We
made small talk with her and eventually her family showed up. We
chatted some more about the AT and whatnot and as they were packing up
the car they said... "Would you boys like some lemonade?" My god,
would we ever. They filled up our water bottles with delicious
lemonade and iced tea. Trail angels and they don't even know it...
Well until we told them they were.
The next 5 miles were flat, flat, flat along the shores of the
Housatonic. You would think it would be easy. It was a death march.
Smoke got a ways ahead of me and so we hiked it solo. By the time I
reached the point the trail imns again, I was parched, starved and my
feet were killing me. We rarely hike on flat trail for any amount of
time, so this was new to us. It blew my mind that flat trail would
hurt... It did. We think it has something to do with the sameness for
such a long stretch. Our feet see the exact same looks for 5 miles.
I sat, ate and drank in preparation for another 800' climb. It was
another death march. This time, it was the heat and humidity. But, I
made it to CT-4 where we would rendezvous with Panda... An hour later
than planned. No Smoke, no Panda. I was confused, Smoke was ahead of
me right? I made a call. Smoke was behind me. He stopped at a campsite
for water that I happened to bypass. He was 20 minutes away now. Just
as I got off the phone, Panda pulled up. Thank god. She brought her
close friend Jenn. She was really sweet and reminded me of my friend
Wendy in California... Also an awesome lady.
We then headed up to the Great Falls in Falls Village, CT. It was
actually on the AT about 20 trail miles north of where we hopped off,
so we'll be seeing it again. There were tons of 4th of July revellers
swimming and doing cliff jumps off the rocks. It was pretty cool to
watch... Not participate in however. We spent the rest of our
afternoon there. We had food and drinks and enjoyed the water. Smoke
and I even did some hiker laundry in the river, which still happens to
be the Housatonic actually.
Jenn made her way back to her place after the sun went down. We
continued our party into the wee hours and had the whole place to
ourselves. It was great... Such a nice evening under the stars. No
fireworks, but it was a blast regardless. Happy Birthday America.
-natedog
Wendy is the best!
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