That is actually the end of day 4, but it was too pretty not to share.

Day 5 started with the shortcut back to the Deadwater trail.

This beauty was having breakfast. I felt terrible about interrupting.

I guess it was just that sort of morning because I woke this guy up as I approached Grandview.

They had signs saying they would open tomorrow and there would be sausage and pulled pork. Just my luck to be early.

Then it was time for one of my favorite parts of this hike. The farm is so pretty.

After that was the thankfully boring road walk to Coleman SP. I was nervous walking through the area of last year’s moose incident, but it was peaceful this year.

It was interesting to hike our section of trail without tools. I couldn’t really enjoy it because the raspberries are growing and I have to get to work soon or the trail will be gone.

For now I will just lay here in my hammock behind the Panorama shelter. The water is terrible but the view is great.

This will definitely be the last post for a while. I will be without signal for days.

Day 4 started with the grassy walk down the Lake Francis trail. Most of this is above the river and the lake so just a pretty forest walk. It does dip down near shore for a bit.

This brook is near the end. Good spot to fill up for the road ahead.

Cedar Stream led to the Deadwater Loop road which led to the Deadwater trail.

A few ATVs to dodge but the beat up trail was easier on the feet than the road. It would have been a better day if I had known the sign for the shortcut to Rudy’s was gone. I walked almost all the way to Grandview before having to turn back.

Oddly enough a hot shower and a big bag of dinner seemed to solve most of my problems.

Camping in the Fairy Garden might have something to do with that too heh. Many more pics but upload is slow so this will have to do.

Don’t think I will have signal tomorrow and definitely won’t after that. We’ll have to see what pops out on the other side.

Day three’s excitement started around 1am. Thankfully I woke up to notice the fireworks going off to the north in Canada. Amazing lighting show too far to hear at first, then getting closer. I got up, put the tarp up fast and took a quick nap before the rain hit.

It kept raining til 7am and then spit a little. I waited a while to let the trail dry out so got a very late start.

Despite the wet trail I made quick work of the Round Pond trail and was soon on top of Covell Mtn enjoying the view. I usually stop there for a break but I had just stopped at Conversation Rock for a long one.

Finished the hard work and was rewarded with the view from Prospect Mtn. Then I walked down to Young’s Store and was rewarded with a cheesesteak heh.

I always stop at this bridge on my way to Lake Francis so I can see the fly fishing derby. There are always a lot of folks working this spot.

Now I have had my bag of lasagna and am laying in my hammock listening to loons and sometimes an owl. Tomorrow the weather is supposed to give me a break and I am happy for that. This has been a really tough start to the hike. It has been a struggle to keep it together but hey…loons!

It stayed in the 70s all night. Dawn was a pretty pink yet slightly terrifying since I knew what was coming heh. 80s in the morning 80s in the afternoon. Thankfully it is down to 73 now at 8pm.

I got an early start tearing through the Black Cats and the R&J Chaput trails to reach the Second Connecticut dam by 930. After a cheese and sausage break I was ready for the Falls in the River trail.

I don’t see any more pictures in the camera so you’re going to have to wait for the video to see the rest of the day. It wasn’t pretty heh. Well the day was ok but I got pretty ugly. After loading up with water at Coon Brook it took all I had to climb up to the highway and down to Tillotson Hut.

I tried sleeping inside but gave up and put the hammock up. Way too hot in there. Might have to find a snack before bed as tummy seems to be done with dinner and breakfast is a long way off. Only day two and The Hunger is upon me.

Once again, it begins!

Of course the day I start has to be a humid day in the 80s. I talked Nancy into stopping at Deer Mtn SP so I could drop most of my gear and slackpack. That was a great idea heh.

I had the park almost to myself with no one in sight or sound. Good dinner and was asleep before dark.

Time to load up the sausage and pack the cheese! The mighty Cohos Trail in northern New Hampshire is in fine condition from early reports. If the water holds out I might even keep hiking past Stark this year. Of course I might not too heh.

Not sure how much I will be able to post from the trail. There are definitely some areas where I won’t have a phone signal so don’t worry if I don’t post for a few days in spots. When I can I’ll share some of the beauty to be found out there.