Murphy starts annual Walk Across Conn. with kayak trip

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D- Conn., began his annual Walk Across Connecticut on Monday afternoon with a trip on the Housatonic River.

Unlike previous years, the junior senator started the first leg of the five-day journey in a kayak in the southwestern corner of Massachusetts.

“I know it sounds like cheating. If I’m walking across the state, I shouldn’t be in a kayak,” Murphy said in a video he tweeted shortly after crossing into Connecticut. “But I just couldn’t help it to take advantage of a couple of friends who know this river very well to be out here for a couple of hours to start the day.”

Murphy, a two-term senator who is not up for reelection until 2024, generally spends the trips speaking with constituents and visiting towns. He plans to walk about 15 to 20 miles each day.

This year, which marks the sixth time Murphy has embarked on the trip, the senator is traveling north to south and plans to conclude the journey in New Haven.

“This is really my favorite week of the year,” he said in a video. “I get to talk to hundreds of people all across the state, most of which sort of have no daily interest in politics. They’re just folks that have opinions about what can make their life better.”

After spending a couple of hours on the river, Murphy began walking in Falls Village. During the walk, he tweeted that he met a Guatemalan immigrant celebrating Independence Day and spoke with a man about high gas prices.

At Falls Village Cafe, Murphy met Falls Village First Selectman Henry Todd and Salisbury First Selectman Curtis Rand.

Murphy was also joined on the walk, a portion of which passed through the Appalachian Trail, by state Rep. Maria Horn. He said he plans to finish the first day of the trip in Cornwall.