(Daily Mi: 13.4) Nice quick stop and very pretty hike up out of town this AM to the top of CT's Bear Mountain. Woodman is very disciplined which is good for my hike. Once he starts up a hill, he doesn't stop until he makes the top.

The CT ridgeline has a lot of exposed granite, and the mountain laurel is still in full bloom here in southern NE which makes for some pretty summits.

Missed the P-man by half a day. Ran into the Good Guys who were southbounding today and they even had lunch with him! Found a note just a few hours old in the shelter saying he was heading on to Great Barrington to visit friends.

A thu hiking couple, Blackhawk and Squaw arrive about a half hour behind us and pitch their tarp next to the shelter. We all make our dinners and talk the talk.