Saturday, 11 June

Destination: Cornwall Bridge – Hitching Post Country Motel (1482.5)	Today’s Miles: 4.1
Start Location: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter (1478.4)	Trip Miles: 222.0

Two hundred twenty two Appalachian Trail miles plus sidetrails from the Lehigh River, PA, to Cornwall Bridge, CT.

It was 52 degrees, the overnight low, when Bob and I awoke. Another good night for sleeping by the river. Each campsite filled up last night mostly with weekend backpackers. Kilometer, Jim, a hiker who had camped with us the last couple of nights came in and setup near us. Kilometer told us tales of meatballs and spaghetti, showers and laundry in Kent, CT. Bob and I were envious but thinking of our last day and the motel today.

Bob and I planned to sleep in but we were awake by 5:30 as usual. We started earlier than planned and figured we could kill time at the country store near the motel if we were not able to check in.

Bob identified some bird sounds last night as an eagle. Today’s trail treat was spying a bald eagle in a tree just across the river as we started hiking at 7:30. We only had four miles to the road and then one mile road walk to the hotel. It was a flat two and a half miles along the river for the start. The 500 foot climb up Silver Hill was not too hard. I wish I could say the same about the descent but there were a few places to hold on to rocks and trees to make it down. Finally the road and the end of our expedition.

Bob and I started our road walk and before long saw Suzie’s Bakery which was not in our guidebook. First stop, breakfast sandwiches and coffee. Next up the road was the package store with a sign “99 bottles of beer on the wall”. Note that. Then Cornwall Country Market, cold drinks and an ice cream. Since they had WiFi and electricity with outside tables, this turned into a long break. About one o’clock a little further up the road to the motel with an early check in. We gathered laundry and dropped it off.

Since there is a refrigerator and microwave in the room and Italian restaurant delivery Bob and I had to plan our dinner. The country store sandwich counter closed at three and their sandwiches looked good. Italian delivery won so it was a walk back to the package store, without packs!, for some cold beverages for this afternoon and with dinner. We did not need to stop at the country store. We will be there in the morning for breakfast and coffee anyway.

Bob and I enjoyed the use of some folding chairs and the nice weather to relax and catch up on things. I spoke to Dolora and Bob called Janice. Clean clothes were delivered and wonderful showers followed.

Sausage Parmigiana grinders (New England for subs or hoagies), Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls and Cannoli for dessert. Bob wishes there was a scale to weigh himself before eating our way back home… R&R for the rest of the night.

Tomorrow Bob’s wife, Janice, and daughter, Nicole, will pick us up. Since we have clean clothes and showered they should let us in the car! As nice as it is to enjoy nature it is also nice to return to civilization.