Trail Journal 07.31.02

My back was considerably better this morning and I walked well.  Was a bit sore ans stiff (it still is) but not painful like yesterday after my fall.  Walked all of 11.4 miles:  10.5 into Salisbury, Connecticut and another 0.5 to Plateau Campsite.  Morning was a bit cooler and less humid.  Trail was wonderful--some very pleasant, prettty road walking through Canaan and along a nature trail that paralleled the Housatounic River.  Crossed a graceful iron truss bridge near a hydroelectric dam.  Had one clomb to work up a sweat.  Once on top of the ridge, walking was pretty flat--until the steep drop into Salisbury.  Ended up spending the day in town--eating and just hanging out.   Met an Episcopal priest who talked of providing services for hikers.  Visited his ver beautiful church and got a used book  Don't know if the town wants to encourage hikers.  It's a picture-perfect New England town where hikers loitering on the grass may not be welcome.  We loitered anyway.  Left town around 6:00 for the short walk to the campsite, which is pretty marginal.  Met Minnesota Mike whom we last saw at Tray Mountain in Georgia.  Kutsa and Montreal are here and a section hiker named Jessica who was with us last night at Belters Campsite.  We had beer from town and a lively conversation.