Great weather and some wonderful walking in the grassy lowlands. At County Road 20 I met a thru-hiking couple standing below the over-arching branches of the Dover Oak, the largest of its kind along the 2,100+ miles of the Appalachian Trail. Didn't expect to see it right on the roadside, so, as far as location goes, I preferred that of the Keller Oak in Virginia.Another lovely boardwalk leading towards N.Y.22 allows hikers to stay high and dry above the wetland and marshy grasses, a couple of benches offering a comfortable spot to sit down, relax, and rest some weary feet. I took the opportunity to eat second breakfast and lounge in the warmth of the sun.
Just before the road crossing is the Appalachian Trail Railroad Station, a strange sight indeed. If you time it right at the weekend, you can catch a train into New York's Grand Central Station. Personally, I can't imagine leaving the trail to overnight in the crowded metropolis of the United States most populous city. It would be too much of a shock to the system.
On the other side of the road, I started on a path through freshly cut grass until I came across the trail maintenance worker swinging his scythe, after passing him it was a tad tougher wading through the waist-high field of green.
In the afternoon, under the shade of the leafy trees, I crossed into the hills of Connecticut. There was great trail until the end of the day, when the Thru-Hikers' Companion made it seem as if there'd be a long, graded descent. Instead, there were two interim climbs and a sharp, rocky descent to Mt. Algo Shelter, where I find myself the sole possessor of this piece of real estate.
Animal sightings today included a fair number of woodland toads, the occasional deer and a raccoon searching for some food and washing off in one of the babbling brooks.
Dover Oak
Bench and Boardwalk
Appalachian Trail Railroad Station
Crossing into Connecticut
Wooded Hills
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