Sunset over the Long Island Sound
Location: Arden Valley Rd / Darien CT (1388.8 miles)

Taking advantage of not having to hike today, I woke up late. Penny picked up her sister, Allison, from her group home. Then, Pam joined us, and Penny made the four of us waffles.

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Harriman State Park
Location: Arden Valley Rd / Darien CT (1388.8 miles)

I left my campsite at 7:30, and I could tell immediately it was not going to be a great day for a hike. There continued to be rocky, slow terrain, and though the sun was hidden behind clouds, it was still hot and humid. And, shortly after I left camp, it started to drizzle.

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View from Eastern Pinnacles
Location: Little Dam Lake (1380.5 miles)

Yesterday, when I was dropped off at the hotel, I had scheduled an 8 am pickup so I could get back to the trail. (I wanted to do earlier, but that was the earliest the cab company was willing to do.) It should not come as a surprise that I was running late, and did not make it out to the hotel lobby until almost 8.

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Vernon Valley
Location: NY 17A / New Continental Hotel (1371.3 miles)

With a long day planned, and hot temperatures forecast, I wanted to get going as early as possible. I got up just before 5, with really not very much sleep — the bugs were pretty awful — and left the shelter around 6:15. I was shooting for before 6, but that was close enough.

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Field, Unionville NJ
Location: Pochuck Mountain Shelter (1349.8 miles)

With a plan in mind to reach Fort Montgomery, NY three days from now to possibly meet up with friends, I would need a 20+ mile day to get there on time. Based on shelter locations and the trail description, today seemed to be the best bet for that. Planning for a 24 mile day to two shelters ahead, I left camp at 7:45, later than I probably should have. It'd mean I'd get there late, but aside from a steep hill late in the day, there wasn't anything that would indicate this would be a problem.

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