In Great Barrington, MA

I've got to say that it was incredibly difficult to leave Sherman, CT.  Amanda, Paul, and Anna Chase really made me feel welcome.  I dried out and rested for a couple of days, ate too much, and enjoyed the company.  (I finally watched Frozen thanks to Anna Chase!)

Note: Thanks to Amanda for the following photos.

Saying goodbye to Anna Chase

Hanging out wit Paul ad Anna Chase at soccer practice

Goodbye to my hosts and to Sherman... and dry socks.

Once I was under way, I realized that I liked Connecticut.  It's beautiful, and there are ridge runners everywhere looking after hikers and maintaining the trail.  I'm still not sure where the money comes from, but it's nice.  The trail is also well blazed and well marked, a relief after New York.  Unfortunately, the weather was tough at times and nice just long enough to keep me guessing.  It rained almost every night, but only a few times while I was hiking.  The last night I was out it absolutely poured!  Water came up about 1/4 inch all around the base of the tent -- waterproofing kept me dry -- and splashed so aggressively that water was coming in through the screening.  Hail only lasted 5 or 10 minutes and wasn't heavy enough to damage the tent.  That night the temperature got into the low 50s... a winter pattern that continues now.

Monument to Shays' Rebellion

Through an ancient rock wall

Tree growing on top of boulder.

Entering Massachusetts

Walking the ridge in MA

Giant's Thumb

Beautiful field after rain.

Trail maintainers got skillz.

Woodpecker condo right on the main drag.

I gotta fit through THAT?!

Had to ford this... more of that coming.

Good water is plentiful when it rains.

Great fishing.

Beautiful section of trail.

Seeing this sign had a huge emotional impact.