Summary
June 8th
Telephone Pioneers to Ten Mile River Shelter
NOBO mile# 1458.6
Tolmann’s daily mileage 12.8
Tolmann’s total mileage 434.9
Well, I’ve had it sleeping in shelters on closed cell foam pads. I shouldn’t have to do it again, since Debbie will be bringing my air mattress to me. But last night’s sleep was pretty tough. Still, I woke to the sunrise shining into the shelter opening. Awe inspiring! 
Medicine Man, Alps and Traffic Director were all out early today. I waited for them to get themselves up and out before getting myself up and collecting my stuff. Groceries came by to introduce herself as she headed out. She said she moved slow, so I might see her as I pass her. I wasn’t so sure, but wished her well.
The trail today pretty quickly dropped to West Dover Rd, the site of the Dover Oak, the largest oak tree on the AT. It’s over three hundred years old and the trunk is over 20 feet in circumference. There are signs all around it to try to keep people from parking there, since the compacting of soil is actually killing it. It’s a magnificent sight, if a little sad.
The trail then starts to go through meadows and pastureland, climbing pretty aggressively nonetheless, and making me feel a little weak in the hamstrings. It gets boggy, too, so mud and boardwalks are all over the place.
Eventually it goes back into woods, then down for a while until it reaches the Swamp River Boardwalk, much like the raised boardwalk in NJ, though not as long. This was perhaps the most beautiful and interesting section of the trail today. 
Then, suddenly, I arrived at the Appalachian Trail train station, the only place on the trail with direct access to rail service. Many hikers use this train station to get to NYC, and others use it to gain access to the trail to begin a section hike. 
And then, also immediately, I was standing on the side of RT 22. This is where Native Landscapes is; the home of the trail club that looks after this section of trail. It is a hiker-friendly establishment that sells some limited resupply items, offers a free outdoor shower or $5 indoor one, and, most importantly for me, Klondike bars.
How cool is that?!!!
So after a 1/2 hr rest, a Klondike bar and a Mountain Dew, I was back on the trail.
And back into the meadow/pastureland climbing back up and away from the river valley.
I thought I saw someone ahead of me, but thought they would out-pace me, when, on turning a corner, there was Groceries! And she was offering me an egg and cheese sandwich (true to her name). She had arrived before Native Landscapes had opened, and decided to go the .3 east to Tony’s Deli. She had ordered an extra sandwich and was packing it out; when she saw me she kindly thought to offer it to me! I accepted (graciously, of course). I packed it away to eat a little later on.
As it was pretty clear we were both aiming for the same shelter, we tentatively planned to catch up there.
After while, I started to feel my energy rise, and I began to make better time.
I arrived at the next shelter around lunchtime, so took of the pack and settled in for a rest and food. I wasn’t seeing many folks on trail at this point.
I made another milestone today, I entered Connecticut! I guess the trail actually goes back into NY for few more miles at some point, so the second border crossing puts NY in the rear view mirror (strange choice of metaphor there, Tolmann!!) 
It never seems to fail that as the day is ending, and energy flagging, there is a serious uphill between me and my destination. That was Ten Mile Hill today. But pushing on over the top, it was downhill to Ten Mile River and the shelter. It was just a 12+ mile day, so I actually came into camp a little early. Shortly thereafter, in came Groceries. And as she was setting up, a NOBOer from GA named Ant Man rolled in. For a while it looked like it would be the three of us.
I pulled out the guitar and played and sang for a little while, which seemed to be appreciated, then we chatted about the merits of having instruments on the trail (we were unanimously in favor).
Tomorrow I have a choice between 8.4 miles to Mt Algo Shelter or 15 to Stewart Hollow Shelter. There’s no hurry, though…
Tom Maynard 
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