Jonathan made dinner for me last night. This is the first home cooked meal I have had. I have missed home cooking. Becky and I cooked every night. He made chicken patties with horseradish sauce, mashed sweet potatoes, deviled eggs with shrimp and bacon. His roommate Ben decided he wanted to try to make bread, and he made a tomato basil bread. It was a feast.
  I woke up early. I had everything packed up. Heavy again with food. I woke Jonathan to say goodbye. We were both off our normal sleep schedules from sitting up all night listening to records and talking. I hugged him and told him I loved him. I was off.
  I rode the train down to the bus station. I was on the bus by 8:00 am. The bus driver drove me nuts feathering the gas pedal, so I listened to The Rolling Stones 12 X 5 and went to sleep. I transferred buses in Springfield, MA and I was happy to find out that Lee was the first stop. I stopped by the grocery store and on the way out, I got offered a ride by "Bobcat." I walked back into the woods and across Highway 90 and felt back at home. It felt familiar to walk, yet I'm a little less in shape than when I left the trail. My knees hurt a little more, and I was a little slower.
  I was sleepy after having lunch and saw a good place by a stream to set up camp, so I did. I set up my tent and slept for 3 hours. I feel like I will have a fresh start in the morning, rather than starting in the heat of the day as I did today.
Side note: I have officially gone stoveless. I no longer have it. I wasn't using it, so why carry it? It does save me weight, but the food I buy now negates that weight savings. I do enjoy the food a lot more. My Mom mailed me some chili peppers that she grew. I really like them.

Day 56 25.0 miles
Shay's Rebellion Field
  Today I hike for my Granny Scalf. She is great for a laugh, I hope she is doing well.
Hiked 25 miles today -- I guess I got my trail legs back under me. I slept long and great last night. It is beautiful farm country that I am walking through. Another thing that I like about going stoveless is that I don't need a lot of water to camp. No cleanup, no boiling. I can camp anywhere as long as I have enough water to drink.
  I had lunch about 12 miles in. I was planning on getting more water at mile 20, but there was none. I read in my book that there was water at a fruit stand at mile 22. It was closed when I got there, but I got the water hose and filled up. They allowed camping out back, but I also read in my book that Shay's Rebellion monument was 2 miles further. I thought it would be cool to tell my kids that I camped in a place they'll hear about many times in school. The field is now a cornfield. I took some pictures of the unremarkable monument. I walked back into@

�8nd plopped down my tent and crawled in. Just another opportunity I didn't miss out on. I am exactly where I want to be.

Day 57 19.4 miles
Plateau Camp Site
  Today I hike for Paul Hayes, Hal Range, Reneau Dubberly, Gary Berg, and Trip Bowers -- some of the founders of the Tri-Cities Road Club. When I got my first bike, I knew nothing about the sport. They taught me how to ride. My first ride was 50 miles. Each treated me like their son. While my Dad taught me racing, these guys taught me the love of just riding my bike.
  Today's hike was all over the place. Woke up to heavy dew and fog in the field. I didn't use my rainfly so my down bag got a little wet. Walked through flat bogs, then up Mt. Everett. The climbing is reminiscent of New Hampshire. Great views from the top. Then it was another climb up Race Mountain. Beautiful views into Connecticut. I finally got to swim in a cold creek. I think Gorham, NH, was the last time. I crossed the unmarked state line into Connecticut. My 5th state! Then one more climb up more New Hampshire style rocks over Bear Mountain.
  I set camp near Salisbury, CT. Three big climbs slowed me a little. I hiked for 11 hours today, I am calling it a day.

Day 58 20.0 miles
Caesar Road Camp
  Last night is the first night that I noticed the "End of Summer" bugs calling back and forth. Time moves quickly until I remember each day.
  Today I hike for Mrs. Surrat, my kindergarten teacher. She is one of the most memorable of any teacher I had. She visited me in the hospital when I was sick for a while, made me feel like part of the class.
  Today was hot, sticky, and muggy. I'm not sure how the air can hold so much moisture and heat without dropping. In Tennessee, the air would never stay this still. Every time I hit a good pace I would have to stop to get water. I had to take a break a few times because I was getting too hot. I finally got to meet a guy named Zero. I've been reading his journal since January. He is another hiker who got my gears going in thinking about my trip.
  My speed has slowed for some reason since Boston. I just hike longer days. Maybe it's all the water I'm stopping for. I got to camp and Alpine and Princess Brat were there. I talked to them for a while. Her Mom sends them the biggest food drops complete with strawberry flavored toothpaste. I like Alpine and Princess Brat, they work at the Neil's Gap outfitters, right on the AT in GA. They helped many of the NOBOs (North Bounders) this year before they started. Many NOBOs remember them.   They have good energy and are good people.

Day 59 Partial.
  I am in Kent, CT. I found out that Stayin' (His name is now Snacktime on my recommendation) was sick in Dalton, MA, while I was in Boston. So he is behind me. You never know how things will work out.