We had another interesting day. Sassafras was he some issues with her shoes and feet. It looked like she needed new shoes. I was not to optimistic about Kent Conn. But I was pleasantly surprised. Mrs Kaboose called the outfitter in town and they directed use to Sundog shoes. The guy at Sondogs was great and Sassafras left with a new pair of Merrells.
As walked into town a thru hiker told us we could camp behind the clothing store. When we got there the owner told is to set up in back. There was a portapotty, cold outdoor shower and a shed with a hiker box and clean towels. We showered washed our cloths and has pizza, post a and ice cream. We also did our resupply at the IGA. What more should a hiker need. I am sitting in a lawn chair and Sassafras is reading her kindle in hèr tent. All is well.
We did a 16.8 mile day today. Sassafras has got her trail legs already. It was a mixed day. We started hiking in the rain and ended the day hiking in hot and humid weather. Sassafras ran the Call last 3 miles of the day because there was supposed to be trail magic at the shelter vendors including a chicken dinner. It was supposed to start at 3pm, we got there at 350pm and it was already over. We at our regular. Supper, which is ok because we would have had to carry it tomorrow. Wec are resting in the shelter and it just started to rain. It in relaxing and it is cooling of so sleeping will not be a problem. Connecticut tomorrow and resupply in Kent.
We drove down from Maine yesterday after picking up Sassafras from her last day of school, as a high school freshmen, and drove down to Danbury CT. Mrs Kaboose dropped us of at Horton town road and we started hiking north. We are at Morgan Stewart shelter tonight. It was a short 9 miles and we were done by noon. It is forecasted to thunderstorm this afternoon so we and are in for the night. We plan a 16.6 mile day tomorrow. It looks like it will be raining tomorrow. So goes the trail.
I thought I have stopped posting to this blog, but I guess I was wrong. Sassafras and I will be leaving Maine next week to hike north from where we got off the trail in New York in 2013 and hike north for 3 weeks. We hope to get into Vermont. If we do that Sassafras will have the rest of Vermont and a several days of hiking in New Hampshire to complete the A.T. Updates to come - Kaboose
Picture is from the top of Mount Moriah in northern New Hampshire from a hike last week.
I received a message from Nancy Orellano asking for an update. (Thank you Nancy for you interest and support). I went out on a little day hike this week and my leg is doing ok. Due to aggravating the ankle, leg injury I received in 2005 in a motorcycle accident, it looks like it will be some time before I am back to 100%. I have to remind myself that I am lucky to be able to walk and hike at all.
Sassafras is doing great, she just got back from 10 days at Band Camp at the University of Southern Maine, and has a great time. We got to see her in three concerts and it was great. She as a week off and then goes to a Girl Scout Camp were she will go on both backpacking and canoeing trips. The Camp is at the base of Mount Katahdin. And a week after she comes home from that camp she is going to a Cross Country running camp. She likes to be busy, she thought she was going to hike the A.T. for 6 weeks but appears just as happy with her new schedule.
Sassafras at her last Band Camp Concert, what a beautiful young lady
I think this will be my last entry in this blog. Sassafras will still do some backpacking, but she plans to put her energy's into activities any active high school freshman would including music (flue, piano and singing), sports (cross country running, cross country skiing and running the long distance races in track) girl scouts and her studies. It looks like Sassafras is starting an other busy and exiting chapter in her life. She still says with complete confidence that not only will she thru hike the Appalachian trail but also the pacific crest and continental divide trail for a triple crown. I would not be one to bet against her.
We had an interesting day. We hiked up the 4800 foot Mount Moosilauke, actually Sassafras ran upt. It as cold, windy and wet in the clouds on the summit. We did not hang out on the summit, i can tell you. I fell and rolled my ankle just as we were heading down. I got down but it was tough. My ankle is swollen, but it does not hurt too much. I plan to ice it and rest and probably get an ankle brace. We were going to go down to New York to start hiking north on Wednesday, but I think we will wait until Saturday and hope for the best. I want to make sure Sassafras can finish the A.T. this year. I do not know how or when I would be able to get the time off again. I hope for the bet. Kaboose.
Today was our fist dat on the trail. We started at 145pm after spotting our car at the north end on My. Modulator and getting a ride to My 25c were we got off last year. I made the mistake of taking us south bound for 2.6 miles until we met a man and two young girls hiking north form mass. I was very embarrassed bout this rookie mistake. We ended up hiking 10.8 miles. No so much fun starting late and hiking the wrong way. Sassafras has such a good attitude. She said it just made for a better training hike. We are in our hammocks after spending quite a long time settling them up. We will get better with practice. It is late Sassafras is sleeping and we hike the 4800 foot high Mt. Moosilauke in the morning so I am going to sleep. Kaboose.
