6/24 Close Encounter of the Deer Kind

20.3 hiked today, 1442.8 miles N, 731.2 miles left
Ten Mile River Lean-To


Slept in today and got caught up talking with Joel. He was a very interesting person and I enjoyed to talking to him greatly but finally I had to break out and get some miles under my belt inspite of the late start. McGyver and I hiked well making it 4.5 miles to Nuclear Lake before McGyver had the wise idea of relaxing on a rocky point sticking out into the lake. It was a gorgeous spot with smooth waters, warm sun, small fish swimming around. Around us flew dragon flies in brilliant sometimes iridescent colors. The lake gets it's name from the nuclear fuel processing plant that used to be on it's shore tough it now is only surrounded by serene woods.
Later on I came across a small garter snake in the trail. it was a youth about as wide as my finger and a foot and half long. In a minute it minute it got scared and ran off.
After that we came to the Dover Oak tree. It is thought to be the biggest tree on the AT and seeing it I have no doubts. It was a massive tree with a base that has makes every other tree I have ever seen seem small. It's branches stretched wide and were thick enough to be large trees of their own. It is astonishing to imagine there once was a time when the whole east coast was covered with trees like this!
Then another unique sight on the AT, a train station. On weekends one can catch a train for a direct ride to and from Manhattan. It was a spartan affair lacking even a roof but attractive none the less. I suspect they assume person hearty enough to hike the AT are hearty enough to bring rain jackets.
Just after that we were at a road crossing with a deli an easy walk away. While doing the .4 miles to the deli we walked next to the highway that was surrounded by thick brush and grass. Suddenly we heard a noise just behind us and a deer came charging out of the brush right at us. Upon seeing us it cut left and ran between the woods and us before suddenly cutting back into the woods 15' later and disappearing. The whole affair last only a second or two. I think it got within arms reach when it passed by. McGyver and I looked at each other stunned and then kept walking for the lack of anything to do.
We hit Tony's deli and had a relaxed break in the shade of a tree and then hiked across the Connecticut border thus completing my deli tour.
New York had been am mixed state. It certainly nice to be able to have a fresh sandwich every day and the zoo was very neat. On the other hand some of trail was trashed or badly built. All in all Ihad a good time but New Jersey was better.
CT has turned out very nice in the first few miles with awesome trail magic by Mac N' Cheese. Just past a road crossing were several patio chairs set up with a large drink cooler of ice water, two coolers one with chilled food and the other with misc hiker supplies. We took and enjoyable break there and recharged munching on guacamole and chips and drinking Gatorade before heading into the shelter just at dark.
There we meet Matt "Sketch" and U-Dog who's journal sketches/comics have been a pleasure to read for the last couple months. I fear I may miss them if I pass Matt up. Wolverine was also there, McGyver had hiked with him before but I was just meeting him for the first time.
The shelter is located on the edge of a large field where were the air is filled with the twinkle of hundreds of lightning bugs.