6/25 A down day

15.7 hiked today, 1458.5 miles N, 715.5 miles left
Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to

Today was a bad day. Oh well. Nothing earth shattering happened but lots of little things added up. It started out quiet well though. I got up early feeling refreshed and ready to go and got an early start. In this part of the woods the trees are filled with wood peckers and I heard as many as half a dozen at a time pounding away in the morning as I hiked. They are very shy birds and tend to dislike being watched and stay high in the trees so I didn't see many but I did see one. One played hide and seek with me from behind a branch before flying off. That is much than I usually do so I am pretty happy. It was about half the side of the other one I saw, about 8" long and back and white.
Despite this rather good morning I was feeling tired and run down by the time I got to Kent, CT to get some supplies. I have no idea why but I took it easy spending most of the day in the library. I know have been suffering from a blister beneath a callus on my left foot and my right ankle has been hurting a lot lately but still this was more an energy problem which has me perplexed.
Before the library I went to see if the town outfitter carried Platypus water bladders so I could get a replacement for my popped one. They didn't have one and the clerk at the store turned out to be rude and clueless when it came to anything related to camping gear. That is not surprising though as most of the store seemed devoted to fashion rather tha function. At camp tonight other hikers mentioned they found there service at the outfitters rude too. I find this surprising as the guide book spoke highly of the place but oh well.
After that I went to a good but rather over priced lunch.
At the library I found out the post office had returned my replacement shoes rather than forward them so I have to wear my worn out shoes for even longer. That is a major problem as I have already hiked about 200 miles too far in these and they are causing me a lot of pain.
Then I went to grocery where I found the selection sufficent but prices again high. The laundry was a nice spot as I was expecting it not to be open so I do have clean clothes. The laundrymat owner was the only person who seemed interested in hikers and was building a shower as there are none in town for under $60.
I went to the library to catch up on journals and pretty much did that and laundry until I left town.
I glad to get out of Kent as it seemed a very poor choice for hikers. It was very expensive and very few of the bussinesses seemed at all interested in encouring hikers to stay or shop.
I finally got out of Kent kind of late. Fortunatly though I was late the trail was perfect. It was well build and generally easy going except for a near vertical rocky descent around St. Jhon's Ledges. Luckly I hit those before it got dark and easily navigated them. After however it got dark quickly in the dense woods. Luckaly at the same time as the darkness hit I entered a portion of trail where for about 3 miles I was on a road or well defined trail making footing and navigation very easy by headlamp. I worried I may have passed the shelter but just as I was getting really nervious I saw the sign at 9:30.
Here I am spending the night with Wolverine, McGyver, and finally got to meet the great "Matt" who sketches cartoons in the shelter registers. Matt is sleeping out in a tent with U-dog, his dog, and the rest of us are having a good time in the shelter. We have been talking a lot and McGyver broke out a flask of Vodka that we are passing around. I suppose the day is ending as good as it started but I still find Kent a great disapointment as a place to spend several hours.