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United States Falls Village Congregational Church

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  • TravelerAppalachian Trail
    1
    111
    Day 84

    Day 82 - Cyber Day

    September 23, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Late start today. Still having difficulty getting motivated in the morning. Just so tempting to lie in.

    Part of the issue was the loud insect noises for half the night keeping me awake. I used ear plugs for the first time this trip and they worked ok-ish. Kept taking them out during the night to check if the insects had stopped. About halfway through the night they stopped and I was able to get some decent sleep.

    Crossed a tiny stream but managed to slip on one of the rocks, resulting in both my feet plunging into the water. So now shoes and socks are soaked through.

    Had my first ever sighting of a cyber truck today! Looked rad as it flashed past. Gave the driver a thumbs up.

    Stopping in Kent tonight at Fife n Drum, they have special rates for hikers. And saw some cool artwork as I walked through town.    Read more

  • TravelerAppalachian Trail
    Day 83

    Day 81 - Problem and lunch with friends

    September 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    First photos are of the the most beautiful part of the day. I've googled around for the name of the falls but they just seem to be called Great Falls. Not a name that will help differentiate them from other falls that are also great, they need to work on their branding. Anyway they are east of Amesville, NY.

    Spectacular looking falls. Would recommend (name aside). A lot of fun to walk out into the river area along the rocks. The whole Housatonic river is gorgeous and nice to walk along.

    I was warned not to drink the river water though, even with the filter. Apparently there was some factory upstream that had released chemicals into the water and it is still polluted today. There are warning signs up telling people to not swim in the water or eat fish they catch from it. Puts a damper of it but the river still looks great.

    Now for the problem. My tent bag has split and slowly regurgitates my tent as I walk along. I used my rope and wrapped it round tightly to keep it all together but I'll need a more permanent solution. Something to think about.

    Had lunch at the Mountainside Cafe. Very nice food, and they didn't charge me for my second soda. So I was sitting there waiting for my food and in walked Porky and Monarch! Not sure if I'd mentioned them earlier but they are hikers I'd met previously on the trail. They were just finishing up their hike. Porky lives in Pennsylvania and will catch me on the trail when I get down there. Monarch had been attacked by Yellow Jackets (wasps) and had a very swollen ankle.

    We had a very enjoyable lunch and they drove me down to the trail head later.

    Staying the night at Pine Swamp Brook Shelter.    Read more

  • TravelerAppalachian Trail
    Day 82

    Day 80 - Connecticut!

    September 21, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Low on water, creek at campsite bone dry. Most of the water sources marked on the map are dry. There is a lake a couple of miles ahead, I'll fill up there.

    Summited Mt Race. Best views of Massy yet.

    Crossed into Connecticut today! Wow Massachusetts went fast!

    Climbed Bear Mountain but alas... no bears.

    I didn't know it was possible but the border sign was even more disappointing than the last. This one did not even welcome me. And it's size, it is like they went to the sign shop and looked at the smallest sign possible, and said "no, we need smaller".

    Met my first Australian today! Martin from Canberra. We chatted about all things Australia. I told him I missed Kingsley's Chicken, which you can only get in Canberra. He is travelling with Witcher, whom I'd met earlier in Southern Maine. So that was a cool encounter.

    I also met some trail maintainers. They were repairing a log bridge. Spoke to them and had a laugh for about half an hour. They gifted me insect spray and a punnet of tomatoes. Also one of them took $10 out of his wallet and gave it to me to buy a sandwich... I don't know if it was because I look poor or starving, or both. They are some awesome guys.

    Stopped in at Salisbury (they have a great looking church and town hall). The local supermarket did not have sandwiches, so bought orange juice, chips, salad, bread, and salami. Sat at a table at a local graveyard eating it.

    Ran out of daylight. Spent about an hour night hiking using my headlamp. Glad I hadn't ditched it for weight like I'd been considering. I'm at Limestone Spring Lean-to. Loads of people here, not long distance hikers, just overnighters (it's Saturday).

    There were fireworks going off in the distance a while ago. Not sure if it is a special event or just random.    Read more

  • Calendar-Year Triple Crown 24
    12
    Day 89

    Schlange 🐍 trifft Schlange 🐍

    April 29, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Noch immer müde vom Vortrag und mit anhaltendem Muskelkater entschieden wir uns morgens an diesem Tag nur 15 Meilen zum Belter's Campsite zu wandern. Bei der Hitze und Luftfeuchtigkeit war das die richtige Entscheidung. In Kombination mit den vielen Höhenmetern lief mir der Schweiß nur so runter. Mhh lecker..

    Der Trail führte morgens zunächst am Housatonic River und über Wiesen entlang, bevor es mittags in die Höhe ging. Es war einfach wunderschön zu sehen, wie sich die Natur zwischenzeitlich veränderte. Der Trail ist nun viel grüner, bunter und lauter. Mit den ganzen Tierlauten konnte man heute meinen, man wäre im Dschungel.

    Insgesamt haben wir heute 6 Schlangen gesehen! Eine davon durfte mit Jochen Bekanntschaft machen. Als er sich gerade entledigte, schrie er plötzlich: „Ohhh Ohhh Ohhh ich hab gerade auf ne Schlange gepisst. Was soll ich machen?“

    Die Schlange rührte sich kein Stück und starrte uns an. Vermutlich, da sie kürzlich ein Vesper hatte.    Read more

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  • Calendar-Year Triple Crown 24
    Day 91

    Heyyyyy the Germans!

    May 1, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Während einem wunderschönen Sonnenaufgang aßen Jochen und ich die Reste von gestern.

    Meine Stimmung war allerdings nicht ganz so gut, da ich mir in der Nacht eine Erkältung einfing. Zudem kamen mir generelle Zweifel an unserem Projekt. Nach unserem Aufenthalt in Minneapolis war klar, dass die Zeit nicht mehr für alle drei Trails reichen würde. Wir entschieden uns deshalb nach dem AT den Continental Divide Trail (CDT) zu laufen, da wir den Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) schon 2016 gewandert sind.

    An diesem Morgen konnte ich mir allerdings zum ersten Mal nicht mehr vorstellen, noch einen weiteren Trail nach dem AT zu wandern. Mich machte es fertig, ständig auf dem Trail krank zu sein. Meine Erkältung zog mich gewaltig runter.

    Nach dem Frühstück und einem langen Gespräch entschlossen wir, einen Bubu zu machen. Kurze Zeit später wurden wir allerdings von einem „Heyyyyy the Germans“ geweckt. Es war Kim, die wir seit dem Four Pines Hostel nicht mehr gesehen hatten. Wir unterhielten uns ziemlich lange über die vergangenen Monate. Es war superinteressant zu hören, was sie erlebte und mit wem sie alles wanderte.

    Nach dem Gespräch ging sie weiter, während Jochen und ich noch ein wenig chillten und langsam zusammenpackten.

    Die 10 Meilen, die wir an diesem Tag noch zurücklegten, waren wunderschön! Auf dem Weg kamen wir über die höchste Erhebung Connecticuts (der Steinhaufen) und über die Staatsgrenze nach Massachusetts.

    Am Shelter wartete ein ca. 60-jähriger Engländer, der in Kolumbien lebt, auf uns. Er war sehr nett und sehr sehr sehr gesprächig. Er hielt einen über einstündigen Monolog über wirtschaftliche Themen und seinen finanziellen und privaten Status (15 Mio., 30 Jahre alte und äußerst attraktive Frau, etc.). Jochen schlief schon fast, als ich mein „Bett“ richtete.

    Der Mann war zwar supernett, hielt mich aber davon ab, die letzten Tagebucheinträge zu formulieren.    Read more

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  • Calendar-Year Triple Crown 24
    Day 90

    Ausgekocht!

    April 30, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    In Minneapolis entschieden Jochen und ich mit Winterausrüstung auf den AT zurückzukehren, da in den White Mountains in New Hampshire im Frühling noch winterliche Temperaturen möglich sind. In den letzten Tagen waren uns unsere Rucksäcke jedoch deutlich zu schwer und zu voluminös. Vor allem auch, da wir im Vergleich zu Jolly Green Giant viel zu schwer unterwegs waren.

    Bei jeder unserer Wanderungen waren unsere Kochutensilien obligatorisch. Wir konnten uns nicht vorstellen, jemals ohne Kochtopf unterwegs zu sein und auf warme Mahlzeiten und einen warmen Kaffee zu verzichten.

    Jolly Green Giant inspirierte uns allerdings, es eine Zeit lang „stoveless“ zu probieren. Das heißt ohne Kocher und Kochtopf unser Essen zuzubereiten. Bei dieser Methode wird dehydriertes Essen in einem wasserdichten Kunststoffbehälter schon während der Wanderung in Wasser eingeweicht. Nach der Wanderung kann in diesem Fall direkt gegessen werden, ohne vorher zu kochen. Außerdem spart man das Gewicht der Kochutensilien und der Gaskartusche. Man muss halt mit kaltem Essen leben.

    Um unsere Sachen loszuwerden, gingen wir in Falls Village nach einem Frühstück in einem Café direkt zum Post Office. Von dort aus sendeten wir unsere Kochsachen und Kleidungsstücke nach Norwich, das kurz vor den Whites liegt.

    Das Einzige, was wir jetzt noch brauchten, war ein geeigneter Kunststoffbehälter. Für diesen mussten wir ein paar Meilen weiter bis nach Salisbury laufen, da es in Falls Village keine Einkaufsmöglichkeit gab.

    Auf dem schönen, teils über saftig grüne Wiesen verlaufenden Weg nach Salisbury verging die Zeit wie im Flug. Mindestens genauso schnell verging die Zeit im Einkaufsladen mit integriertem Deli. Selbstredend blieb es nicht bei der Talenti-Eiscreme, die in einem für unsere Zwecke geeigneten Kunststoffbehälter verpackt ist. Wir gönnten uns unter anderem riesige Sandwiches und gefüllte Kartoffeln. Außerdem bekamen wir Trailmagic! Ein Kunde gab uns Cracker und einen ganzen Käsekuchen. Jochen und ich vermuteten, dass er sah, wie ich erfolglos versuchte, einen herrenlosen Einkaufswagen zu stoppen, bevor er auf ein Auto krachte. Aber das ist reine Spekulation.

    Nach insgesamt 15 Meilen und zwei Stadtbesuchen lagen wir abends zufrieden in einem nagelneuen Shelter mit einem wunderbaren Ausblick.    Read more

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  • TravelerAppalachian Tra
    1
    42111211421116
    Day 56

    Hello, Massachusetts

    June 1, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    I crossed from Connecticut to Massachusetts this week! Had a wonderful last night in CT at Maria’s house. Maria has been hosting hikers for more than 30 years. Unfortunately she can do longer personally do it at age 95, but her grandson is taking over.

    The CT/Mass border reminds you you’re entering different territory. One day had three peaks: Lions head (1738’), Bear mountain (2316’), and Mount Everett (2602’). I was very glad I started the day around 6:30 am. Also grateful for a dip in Guilder Pond at the end of the day. This entire section is incredibly beautiful, including waterfalls in Sages Ravine.    Read more

  • TravelerAppalachian Trail
    Day 91

    Race Brook Falls Campsite 1510.8

    August 2, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 15 °C

    We were awaken early by a crow screaming right next to our tent. We had an extended breakfast at the Toymakers Cafe before we went back on the trail. There we just hiked for a few minutes and then got a necessary shower at a power plant. It took us until 9 to actually start making miles...
    On the way to the 1500 miles mark we met a gardner who was friendly. After a bit of smalltalk I remembered Julias rash and asked him. He confirmed that it is poison ivy. Nothing to joke about but still better than other guesses, like tick bites or chiggers. So it was kind of a relief.
    On the way up to the Lion's head (there are longer up and down parts now again) Jon and Claus passed us. They were going about the same pace so they decided to make a hiking couple, at least for the day. You could hear the rumbling of a thunderstorm from the nearby clouds but it seems to be just a bit.
    On the way down it suddenly started to pour and besides getting soaked the trail went pretty bad. So we needed to climb down steep, slippery rocks. It felt quite dangerous although the pictures don't look like. But we were relieved when the rain decreased and we moved into less rocky and steep terrain. We managed to make it until a nice little campsite. There we met "not sure" and had a great time chatting before heading to bed at hikers midnight.    Read more

  • TravelerAppalachian Trail
    Day 90

    Falls Village 1492.3

    August 1, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 20 °C

    We've had some nice stops today. The first one was at a Campsite for breakfast which had a swing and a well with delicious water. The next one was at a shelter where we randomly met Claus from Stuttgart. I've had a blast talking swabian with him and exchanging about the trail. It's easy to have to conversations with him so we spend more time with our lunch break than planned.
    By the time we hit the trail again we thought we'd be just about 6 miles away from our destination (with a shower!!!). But it was actually more than 8 miles, so we needed to push a bit more. The heat and bugs were crazy today and I was glad to still have Oralpädon left. After surviving the rollercoaster there we road walked into Falls Village which doesn't have much but a liquor store, an inn and a town hall. Luckily there's also a cafe with a hiker friendly owner that lets them sleep in the backyard.
    So we did the things you could do there. Resupply on beer in the liquor store, use the free internet at the inn and then set up our tent at the café :) We've met Chef, Jon and Anvil again.
    Just as we finished cooking the Chicken Broccoli a girl that is also staying at the Campsite walked up to us with big boxes of food. She said that they weren't able to finish it and that we could take it. So we finished all of it and also our dinner.

    At the end we drank beer altogether and chatted.    Read more

  • TravelerAppalachian Trail
    Day 89

    Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter 1474.3

    July 31, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

    After getting out of our tent in the morning we noticed the "No Camping" sign directly above our tent :D We swiftly moved the 8 miles on the AT until the road crossing that leads to Kent. It looks like a more upscale town with neat houses and well maintained green areas. Our first stop was the post office to finally get the replacement bag from sea2summit but I was already sceptical about that. And unfortunately I was right, so I forwarded it to Killington, Vermont. I have no clue how this system works!!!
    The next disappointment was the resupply at the grocery store next door. As mentioned the town was pretty upscale and so was the store. More expensive than in Manhattan and not much of a selection. I miss the Dollar General stores in the south! Then we went for lunch at a Mexican diner which doesn't have any Mexican food except for Queso de Chihuahua (I guess it's the menonitas cheese). But the burgers were tasty and it wasn't too expensive. The last stop before going back on the trail was the local outfitter/ ice cream shop where I bought a iced coffee for one dollar. Literally coffee from the previous day and ice cubes :D Just when we were about to be vortexed Jon hitched a ride back to the trail. But it was already quite late and we were moving pretty slow so we only managed to make 8 use miles. The Shelter is right next to a river and swampy areas so the bugs were terrible.    Read more

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