Yesterday spent the night in the Pine Swamp Brook Shelter with 2 other NOBO thru hikers. Climbed Mount Easter, 1,349 feet and stayed on the ridge.Passed the Hang Glider View where you could see and hear the Lime Rock Speedway. 2 local section hikers had stopped on the trail because they saw a large Timber Rattlesnake on the trail which wouldn’t move. This snake was huge so we bushwhacked around it. Walked down to Falls Village and a farm to table restaurant was only 0.3 miles off the trail but it was closed. Crossed Housatonic River and past the Housatonic Regional Highschool and an unusual painted parking spot. Followed the river on the AT which part was made to accommodate handicapped persons. Saw the great falls of the Housatonic River which were impressive with high water flow. Some people were standing right next to a deer lying in the woods I think because of the heat. The deer got up and started feeding on the vegetation so I think it was okay. Climbed Mount Prospect (1,448 feet) with cooler temps and a nice breeze. Passed “ Tom’s Thumb” a peculiar glacial erratic on Racoon Hill. Climbed down the ridge to some roads and houses. There were beautiful meadows with lots of wild flowers including Purplish Bee Balm. Got to the parking lot where I had arranged to meet Laurie with her Mini Winabago but found out she was running over 3 hours late. Pissed off but what could I do? Made the best of it and changed into dry clothes washed up cooked dinner and laid on my sleeping pad reading emails. She finally showed up got into the RV but really didn’t sleep. Overall it was a good day warm but bearable. Lots of small streams to get water from.

Got up later in the RV as I didn’t sleep well. Laurie had already decided she wasn’t going to go on today’s hike because she thought the elevation climbs were too much so I hiked alone but essentially slack packed because I could leave my tent sleeping bag etc in the RV. She went into town bought some food and did my laundry!! Weather was beautiful sunny and warm with nice breezes on the mountain tops and ridges. Climbed Lions Head 1,505 feet with it’s beautiful ledges.Saw one NOBO coming up there. Then climbed Bear Mountain at 2,312 feet and it’s large pile of rocks and a plack. Largest full mountain in Connecticut .There were great views from there and some type of class going on with what appeared to be lots of middle school kids. Leaving the summit saw another class going on and a beautiful large Sawmill Brook with its waterfalls. Passed thru Sages Ravine which was nice. Saw a few day hikers and another SOBO. On my phone played a game called name that species of plant or animal on the phone with my brother, sister, Hannah, Pop and Michele and I enjoyed that. Crossed into Massachusetts leaving Connecticut. From my prospective Connecticut is the best state I’ve hiked on for my NOBO thru hike. Beautiful views, lots of water and generally a smooth dirt path. After following the Brook for a while crossed it and climbed Mount Race, 2,361 feet with its beautiful ledges. Appeared to drop off to the East rather abruptly about 1,000 feet. Laurie called me to let me know that the place I was supposed to meet her at Guilder Pond had the road closed off due to earlier rain damage and I would have to walk down the road a ways where it was gated to meet her. No problem I thought as long as she was there.An unexpected thunderstorm came in as I was climbing my 4th mountain peak of the day, Got out rain gear and took my time reaching the summit of Mount Everett at 2,605 feet just as the rain had stopped and storm was passing. Climbed down to Guilder Pond picnic area and down the road where it was gated and Laurie was waiting with the RV. Changed into dry clothes and ate the dinner she bought including green beans,mashed potatoes and a cooked rotisserie chicken . Overall it was a great day of hiking despite the thunderstorm at the end. Climbed 4 peaks with excellent views and waterfalls. About 13.2 miles with 3714 feet of elevation gain.