Back in Mass - Miles 1,498 to 1,588

We crossed the border into MA on July 14th. We were very excited to be back in Mass. We immediately hit 3 mountains in western MA, which all had nice views. The weather got cooler and less humid, which helped improve hiking conditions a lot. We crossed the Mass turnpike on July 17th, which was exciting because of the number of times we drove under the trail overpass on the highway, and thought about the day we would cross over it on the AT. That day finally came!

 View from Lions Head - still in CT

 Highest point in CT

Lions head viewpoint

 Crossing from CT to MA

View from Mt Racer, MA

Mt Everett, western Mass

 Swampy, buggy section of trail in Mass

Stopping to swim in Benedict Pond in Beartown State Forest, near Great Barrington, MA

 Upper Goose Pond

 We spent an afternoon at Upper Goose Pond, swimming and paddling the canoe. The AMC has a cabin here where thru-hikers can stay for free.

The AMC cabin at Upper Goose Pond. We got a pancake breakfast in the morning. Downside: people snoring in the bunkroom kept us up all night.

 The AT crosses over the Mass turnpike

We are excited to be on the trail, rather than driving by underneath it.

Y-Knot and Moses at the 'cookie lady's' house. She gives cookies and drinks to thru-hikers. We also picked blueberries here.

Clintonia (Yellow corn lily or 'Blue bead')

Kent, Connecticut - Mile 1,458

There are only 50 miles of the AT in Connecticut, but it took us almost 3 days to get through it. The terrain was more difficult, with steep ascents and descents. The guidebook said to break out the bug spray in CT, and they were right. Mosquitoes and deerflies swarmed us. I hate using anything with deet, especially since we can't wash it off at night, but I don't like mosquito bites either. We use it only when the bugs are really bad, which is only in wetter areas. At night, we hide in our tent.
The highlight of CT was meeting trail angel Mark, who took us and another thru-hiker back to his house to shower and do laundry. We also had a great dinner of vegetarian black bean soup. We are always amazed at the kindness of total strangers to thru-hikers, and we appreciate it!

 The border sign for CT, our 10th state

 Trail angel Mark invites 3 hikers to his house

 Stopping at a cafe in Kent, CT (Doc, Y-Knot, Moses, and Mark)

 Break spot along the Housatonic River. Our trail followed the river for 5 flat, easy miles.

Resting on a hot day of climbing

 Thru-hikers Doc, Moses and Y-Knot

Waterfall along a branch of the Housatonic River