I have seen a surprising amount of wildlife on the NET in Connecticut. I often see hawks soaring along the cliff edges. Every day I see deer bounding through the woods. Probably as a result of this, I have also seen a few tiny deer ticks crawling up my arm or leg. I hope one

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The NET crosses a lot of private land. When it became a National Scenic Trail some people stopped letting the trail cross their property. They were afraid of what government involvement might mean for them as private landowners. Other people were fine with the change and some even welcomed having hikers cross their property. I

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This trail is continually reminding me that everything is relative. I believe it only reaches 1000 feet above sea level once in the first 100 miles. I live higher than that. Yet in a fifteen mile day of hiking I gain and lose well over 3000 feet of elevation. When I reached Castle Craig I

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People often ask me if I am afraid out hiking alone. I usually tell them “no” though a more honest answer would be, “it depends.” In a lightning storm on a high exposed ridge I am frightened. I am definitely frightened when a moose charges me or when I slip and fall down a steep

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The NET is unlike any other long trail that I have ever hiked in that large portions of it are near residential areas. There are stretches of at least fifty miles with no designated campsites and thru hikers are expected to stay in hotels. At least one of the two major river crossings requires either

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My hike began five days ago but it has taken me a while to write and post anything. I could say I wasn’t really sure what to write. While there is truth to that, the real reason is that this trail has been kicking my butt and leaving me pretty tired at night. A long

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