It's A Wonderful Life

A few minutes after crossing over the line from NY to CT I was picked up by Cool Breeze and whisked off to Huntington Mass to celebrate 2 birthdays and a house warming on Sat Aug 22nd.

The parties were combined and the theme was Gilligan's Island. Marissa, one of the two birthday girls is Marianne which happens to be the name of the other birthday girl and hostess at the party. I had to explain to a few that I was Castaway having swam from my deserted island to Gilligans with Wilson and the gift box.

In the box is a basket, in the basket is salt, bread and wine presented as a house warming gift as Maris was to close on her first house two days later. Very few understood the basket but at least within this post you have received a giant clue.

We had an absolutely wonderful day and I was sooooo thankful to have all 3 daughters and grandkids to enjoy it with. Such homely girls I know, but I lovem dearly...and even like them!

My awesomest friends Marylou:

and Phil put me up for the weekend. Maryl has the gift of hospitality and it shows as hers is the favored place among neighbors and friends on the lake.

Sunday off to church, rendezvous with big sis then back to Ct where I left off.

Big Sis Diane certainly received an initiation as we entered the woods late forcing a night hike to our campsite next to Ten Mile River.

Di admitted setting up her tent once and camping in her back yard. Perhaps she should've tried a second time as some of you laughed at my deflated tent bahaha:

First day hiking was a big one as we headed uphill. You remember Cool Breeze, now meet Scout:

The ladies had a grand time gabbing their faces off while I scooted ahead listening to a book on Audio Audible (luv it).

Of course you know what road kill looks like:

Just in case you forgot, ahahaha! While those are caused by cars and trucks you may not have seen that caused on the trail by dehydration and/or malnutrition; trail kill. A close call for ole Sparky were it not for Scout:

We enjoyed some great views and great weather:

You might be wondering why the name Scout. It came to me within the first couple of hours on the trail. If you think Girl Scout at heart, you're partially correct. You wouldn't have known she was one of the cool few who actually owned an IH Scout but even that's not it.

Think Scout from Harper Lee's classic To Kill A Mockingbird. While the movie does a great job capturing the essence of the novel, the book gives a far better look at and description of the young girl Scout who btw has a brother Jem. Scout has a an incredibly advanced vocabulary and indeed our Scout has no Scrabble match. In the book the 9 yr old is absolutely curious times 10, sees her Father's hand in and throughout as our Scout sees the hand of God creating a limitlessly intricate and interconnected home for us to live in. Scout was finding all kinds of things Cool Breeze and I were passing by:

Scout did a great job keeping a great pace, it seems all 3 siblings inherited DOD's strong legs.

Most of the Ct trail skirts the famous Housatonic:

Famous for at least 2 reasons, 1 good, 1 bad: the good for fly fishing, the bad; PCB contamination thanks to the old General Electric plant up north.

Ct has a beautiful section of the AT:

Whether in the valleys or on the ridge:

Next to a farm:

Or in a swamp:

While I understand why some would question His existence while so much evil abides I simply find the faith in the odds of evolutionary theory inconceivable.

More to follow as the 11th of 14 states is seen in the rear view mirror.

p.s. I did mention that I had lost two small bungees, well whatya know:

I Love New York!

And you thought I was gonna say "gee someone should write a song about that." And look, I did!

Yet again, in two places at once:

New York was wonderful. Hats off and kudos to all the volunteers, ATC, Parks folks etc it was great. The signage and marking were so good that in one section someone painted the tops of the "toe bangers"

So well marked I did at least 3 night hikes. Bear Mtn had huge stone steps up and down to this summit:

Now ya gotta think about this one. I'm coming down and spot her:

A few minutes later, crossing a driveway, spot this scene, and the mom is frantically looking for???? Look closely at the daughter now. 

That's right! The camera. Imagine that. Hilarious: "ahhhhh Kim, u rait right there, DOE MOO I get camwa, Kiiiim RAIT!" Imagine if momma, that mom, did not actually have camwa?

Look at this place, Bear Mtn Inn by the time I walked down:

And here's the inn during the day, imagine the history:

If ur thinking I stayed there, you're mistaken. I did stay at a place that my resupply was mailed to. Now remember how funny yall thought it was when the cow ate my favorite bandana for bfast? Well as I'm heading into this nice lil motel I spot the hiker box a common repository of unwanted items found at virtually all hostels, hotels etc in towns along the AT. For the first time tho, in this box amongst all the ramen noodles, zip lock bags of oats, etc are gift bags tied with lil ribbons, hmmm that's a first. Not all identical one catches my eye:

See why this one caught my eye?

If it wasn't Sparky my trail name would be Even Steven. Oh, speaking of Ramen Noodles, I eat two packs weekly. Waaaaaaay back at Neil's Gap in Ga, a hiker says all Ramen Noodle packs are the same:

Same in that the flavor pack, ready?, is....and yes I use punctuation...any way I want, still ready?...found on the label front side, it's true:

See how educational and valuable this blog is? You're welcome. Here's a lil more education for ya; bunch of comments about my gut before leaving. FYI the man in the mirror is performing one half of an award winning (literally) pose called "In the water":

The other half of the pose is called "On the beach"

Which should not be confused with a pose being worked on for a mid October release, I'm calling it "Hunger Games"

Oh that's so terrible! I'm covered:

New York had some beautiful, quiet places:

NY also wants us to know, it too has a sense of humor:

NY is full of surprises:

Ya never know what you'll find on top of the next hill like this log book inside the mail box:

Cool stuff:

Nice sights:

Perty views:

A big tree:

Another big snake:

A big walkway thru a big shwamp:

A little lending library outside a little shelter:

Which also had 2 free Nike Dri-Fits just like mine and Bri's:

And a little bridge made with big logs:

Wait till you hear about Ct! It's A Wonderful Life (hint):

You may be entertaining angels...

This blog is being interrupted for an important message...

There have been sightings of a strange being in the Greater Springfield area...

If you encounter this individual, it is recommended that you use extreme caution when approaching him due to the giant bear hugs and glowing smile. These are thought to be highly contagious. Although he looks homeless, er, uh, harmless, be sure to take a moment and ask him about the many encounters he has survived with dangerous members of the natural world thanks to the prayers of others.

Welcome back home, Sparky! Thank you for spending the day with the church family here in Chicopee. As you continue on your journey, we pray that you have safety and health, and many encouraging encounters with those in need of hearing the Good News!

And now, back to our regular programming...