Mt. Algo Shelter to Pine Swamp Brook Shelter---June 7th

Out of the shelter and into Kent as early as possible to catch the opening of the grocery store.  Unfortunately, what I had assumed would be a six o'clock opening turned out to be an eight o'clock one, so I had arrived much too soon.  In the interim, I took some time to wander a few of the streets in this picture postcard New England town realizing as I did that this was, relatively speaking, one of the earlier settlements in our nation's history.  The houses and storefronts were quite different from what I was used to seeing on the west coast.
With the town tour finished, I returned to the supermarket to resupply.  It appears that the items in the food shops have become more expensive as of late compared to those along the southern section of the trail.  The nice thing was that there was a picnic table set on a strip of grass under the drooping boughs of a willow tree on the left side of the shop.  It was there that I enjoyed a whole box of raisin bran, pouring it a bit at a time into the fresh milk in my tin cup.  That was enough to fill the hiker hunger and satisfy my cravings.
After a little more relaxation sitting in the shade on the picnic bench, I made my way to the library, where to my chagrin I was told that due to extraordinary circumstances it was closed.  It so happens that an elderly woman had lost control of her vehicle, punching the gas pedal instead of stomping on the brakes, thus rocketing across the lawn, miraculously avoiding the trees and people, then slamming into the front wall of the building.  Now, it couldn't open until safety engineers gave the all clear sign saying it was structurally sound.  A local woman, noticing my disappointment upon receiving such news, kindly allowed me to use her laptop to check my e-mail.  Just another example of most people's willingness to help.  Such little acts of kindness along the trail continue to amaze me.
Business at the library done, I crossed the street and entered the premises of Sundog Shoe and Leather hoping that I could finally get rid of the WalMart/Dr. Scholls specials I'd been wearing for the past 450 miles.  Because they're a small store, they didn't have the widest assortment of hiking shoes, but they did have different styles of Merrel, a shoe I'd heard mentioned in journals written by PCT hikers.  I found a pair that I was quite happy with that I believed would stand up to the roots and rocks and last me 'til the end of the trail.  Grabbed a couple new pairs of socks as well, so my feet are feeling fantastic at the moment.
Finally managed to get in touch with my dad to find out what his plans were for meeting me somewhere along the trail.  We decided that we'd meet in Baxter State Park on July 11th so that he'd be able to hike the last day with me.  Now I know what I'm shooting for. 
After hanging up the pay phone, I met Cope, another northbound hiker.  He'd reached this point last year on the A.T. before blowing out his knee.  Keeping the dream alive, he'd gone through tough rehab and, as a way to test his recovery, had done the Florida Trail, like me, to serve as a warm-up.  Here he was, about 700 miles shy of his goal.
As I turned to leave town, lo and behold, who did I see approaching up the road?  It was Snorkel!!!  I hadn't seen her in over a month since we parted ways in Virginia.  Great to see her still on pace to shatter the Women's Unsupported record.  We spent a while catching up on trail talk before going our separate ways.  I expect to see her at the shelter tonight.
A brief up and down with rock stairs created for that purpose led to a river.  While following the course of the water, the path was nice, long and flat.  At one point, I came across a flock of Canadian Geese that were resting in some rocky shallows, enjoying both the cool of the water and the warmth of the bright sun shining above.
Fooled by the Thru-Hikers' Companion again, I had a long ascent after Caesar Camp making for a longer/steeper descent.  The final ascent up to Pine Swamp Brook Shelter was like another Lemon Squeezer with the rocks narrowing around the path.  Only one person in the place when I arrived, an aquaculture specialist teaching courses at Auburn University.  He was also a board member responsible for the Pinhoti Trail in Alabama, which may eventually tie into the Appalachian Trail.  There was a lot of politics involved with that as some feel that this will threaten the idea of Springer, Georgia being the official start point as it is today.
Low on agua, I followed the blue blaze down to the brook and nearby beaver pond, spending some time there as it is a very interesting mini eco-system in a lovely setting amongst the hills.  Bedded down once I'd returned to the shelter and lay there for some time with mosquitoes whining in my ear while waiting for Snorkel to arrive.  She eventually arrived well after dark and settled in, taking the middle section of the small shelter.

Caleb Peak