Salisbury, CT (USA)

Another beautiful day! Up early and used US-7 to get to US-44. Amazing views of the valleys and lakes to the west all the way. Started SOBO from the AT trailhead on the edge of Salisbury at 0730 - the sun was just coming up over the hills so had perfect temps (60s). Outbound leg was a continuous climb but I had the energy. Like yesterday, it the woods around the trail were thin and the trees looked relatively young - it looked like the area might have been a working farm in the recent past. Made great time to some pretty views (one from a cliff and the other from a farm field). Ran into Honey Bear and Pricepoint again and they excitedly told me they figured out that they gave me some trail magic (fruit snacks, candy) back in June near Blacksburg! I’d been hiking with a different hat when we first talked but they recognized my Stetson and car the previous leg. This isn’t the first time I’ve encountered Thru hikers more than once in a summer but I was glad to thank them personally for getting me back to my car and civilization. Turned around at Limestone Spring Shelter again - startled to find it “early” (per my pedometer). Figured out that I’d shortchanged myself on the mileage back at US-44... Re-energized by the shortened hiking day, I made great time on the backtrack (mostly downhill). Ran into lots of day hikers (including one that was barefoot!) and one (apparent) SOBO Thru hiker. Gave some directions... Saw deer a few times but was completely unprepared for the highlight of the day: a bobcat crossed the trail and stopped 15 feet from me! I wasn’t sure what he was going to do - he just sat there - and was slow on getting my camera (just a light brown blur in the picture, unfortunately). It got a lot warmer (high 70s) as I got closer to town. Walked the last quarter mile with a local (MA) dad who had squeezed in a short hike before racing home to make breakfast for his daughters. He gave me intel about the Mount Everett area (just a few miles north). Finished my hike at US-44 and Cobble Road (last hiked in 2015) at about 1045 (~7.5 miles). Added the mileage I missed earlier to round out the total for the weekend at around 18 miles. Feeling really great! Was hoping the feeling lasted during the drive home (and it mostly did...). Used US-44 to get to NY-22/US-44, Taconic Parkway, I-84, I-81, I-83, PA-581, US-15, I-270, and I-495 to get home. Made gas stops at BP in Montague (NJ) at 1245 and at Sunoco Gasmart in Frederick (MD) at 1615. AT Today = 4.50 miles / G.T. AT = 1178.22 miles