The pictures were a result of where a suitable tree branch was growing, and where I expected to be while the camera operated. The timer mode takes an image every 15 seconds, so there were quite a few that I didn't show. It is an idyllic setting, and actually I have a long history with it. Back in 1973 when I had my first job, I lived in Connecticut, and one weekend I drove north almost at random, looking for skinny-dippin' opportunities. I found this dirt road leading into the woods where I knew the river was going to be, and there the spot was. I ended up camping there, and I'd like to do that again before it gets too cold. Nothing like a lapse of 45 years! One possibly non-idyllic feature is that there's a busy railroad just a few yards up on the opposite bank. I sure noticed that while I was camping! But fortunately I'm a train buff, and I don't think hearing the lonesome whistle blow is a problem. Or in reality, the sound of multiple diesels tackling the climb over the Berkshires, but whatever.
I was actually there on Sept 22, so the temperature and foliage were more summer-like. I did step into the water and say "Do I really want to swim here?" but given the sentimental link, I had to say yes. It wasn't a long swim.
The Appalachian Trail gets a lot of traffic just about everywhere in the northeast. It's reachable by a lot of roads and side trails, and millions of people are within an easy driving distance. Now the Midstate Trail, that runs north-south in Massachusetts east of the Connecticut River, that seems to be a lot quieter. I'm thinking a hike in comfort there would lead to fewer encounters.
