May 25,

Nephew and I entered CT last Monday. We really enjoyed rhe scenery along the AT as found in that state. Beautiful rivers, streams and forests of large conifers and hardwoods. Enough up and down at times to make for vigorous hiking but not so hard.

Nephew broke one of his trekking poles on Tues, so we came off the AT at Salisbury, CT and spent the night in the home of some folks who charge $40/PX and Receive around 450 guests per year. They call their place "The Bearded Woods." A bear paw print was on the basement window of the room we slept in. The owner said he was probably after a bird feeder.

Nephew's dad over nighted a new pole to rhe Salisbury post office so we hiked 9 mi Wed a.m. and then went into town to buy resupply food and pick up the new pole. We ended up hiking around 18 mi that day and stayed at a shelter just past the top of Bear Mtn, the highest point in CT.  Had a nice view.  The climb up was steep and rocky.

Today it rained hard on us most of the day; our first full day in MA. The climb up and down Mt. Everett was very challenging. The steep, rocky climb down was made much harder by the rain, i.e. wet slippery rocks and leaves. Had several instances where only a well placed tree saved my neck! 

So after hiking 13 mi today we got off again for a B&B in Sheffield, MA. We were soaked and miserable. The rain is forecast to stop by 10:00 tomorrow a.m. so we will resume hiking then. Here's hoping the shoes dry up some tonight. We have a fan on aimed at them.

Thanks for praying and giving. We are plowing on!

Uncle