HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELLY BOB!

Happy 24th Birthday Kel!! Love you!!

Sooooo.... It happened. I slack packed. We are staying at the most amazing hostel, and we all decided it was worth one more night here and I had to agree. Hudson and Big Lu at Bearded Woods are amazing hosts! She is an awesome cook and it is just so relaxing and inviting. We got on the trail about 8, STILL heading north, and left our big packs at the hostel. Just carried a day pack. Mambo took off like a horse heading for the barn, so at first I thought, "Dang!! This slack packing thing is gonna kill me!" After a little while, we cut him loose and moved quickly but at a 'breathable' pace. 

We started this morning at the falls at Falls Village.

After yesterday's rain, the water was intense!!

It was pretty hot today but didn't seem as bad as yesterday. We passed the 1500 mile mark (in peanut butter m&m's)

Mambo said, "No calorie left behind." So we ate the evidence.

Hiked to the top of Bear Mountain which is the highest point on the AT in Connecticut. 

We sat on top for quite awhile and chatted with the adorable Kallin family.

If you are interested, their blog is 

http://kallinfamily.com.   

We did a steep climb down from Bear Mountain accompanied by Cartwheel, who seemed to run down the wet rocks while we carefully picked our way down. What do you do when an 8-year old is pointing out the easier route down the rocks, while she heads the more difficult way? You take her advice of course!! Made it down with minimal slippage. Hiked to the bottom of Bear Mountain, where Hudson picked us up for the ride home . (Aka the hostel) In for the night with lots more rain in the forecast.

I got a message from Shelly and Joe today, my pizza delivery trail angels in Virginia. Occasionally,  I hear from Beth and Bernie, trail angels in Newfound Gap back around Gatlinburg. What a great boost! So many good people! (Tired of hearing that? Then you may want to stop reading because I can't say it enough!! It continues to amaze me)

Burger night here at Bearded Woods out on the screen porch with a thunderstorm in full swing. Perfection.

Looks like tomorrow is going to be wet, but we can't hide here forever....