Date: 7/2/04 Starting Location: MA 2Destination: MA 2Miles: 0Total Miles: 1586.6
MA 2
I slept in this morning, but I'm way behind on sleep and this weekend's off-trail time at the wedding should hopefully help out on that. I felt awful and very tired when I started climbing up Mt. Greylock, but much better after taking a very long rest on a trailside rock.
Cheshire
Stopped by to visit the "Cookie Lady" at her trailside home, and was treated to fresh water and homemade cookies. More good eating came along at the Backwards K bar in Dalton, MA before one last up and over to the town of Cheshire and a night in the hall of the local Catholic Church. Congrats to my sister Ali on her super promotion!!!
October Mt.
A nice rainstorm rocked me to sleep last night in my tent and also drowned out the humming chorus of mosquitoes outside. I slept in a little bit this morning as the rain continued and got a late start at 9:30. No views or anything at all to see today except for the beautiful Upper Goose Pond, where I spent some time on the shore enjoying the breeze right at the water's edge.
Shaker
Massachusetts? Ha! More like Mosquito-chusetts. The little buzzers are out in full f$@#ing force! I got eaten alive today after a late noontime start and a nice breakfast at Martin's with Lucky Star and Footloose. Oh, and if I neglected to mention it, this is the final leg of the Triple Crown for the ageless Lucky Star, who also happened to be dragged through the forest by a black bear while sleeping in her bivy sack back in Pennsylvania.
US 7
Perfectly comfortable hiking day, and I began to feel much stronger again after being a bit weary for almost a week through NY and CT. I think seeing our friend Northern Harrier leave the trail made me take these last few days a bit easier. The shorter miles, heavy town eating, and a much larger food bag in my pack perhaps have helped me regain a bit of my strength.
Brassie Brook
Last night's rain continued into this morning so it wasn't long before I was wet yet again. On the bright side, Footloose and I had a great breakfast at the White Hart Inn in Salisbury before re-supplying and hanging out in town for awhile. I decided to make it another short, restful day before I crank up the miles for a couple days in preparation for leaving the AT next weekend for a wedding with my best friend Sarah. The morning rain cleared into a beautiful afternoon, perfect for lazing on the rocks at Lion's Head before heading for the shelter.