Date: 2006-09-18
From: MA 2, Williamstown, MA

To: Furnice Hill Road, Cheshire, MA
Miles today: 14.9

Believe it or not, I was on the trail by 6:30 for today's slackpack. Courtenay dropped me off where she picked me up yesterday and I start down the trail which at this point follows the road. Cute little houses and an elementary school. Then the trail turns in to the woods. A guy in camo gear carrying a rifle passes me. First time I've seen a gun on the trail. And then I see a sign that reads something like, "Be forewarned, loud noise due to shooting range." Luckily, no one shot at me!It is a hard climb up to Prospect Rock made harder for me due to a change in my hormones and iron levels. The weather has also warmed up and the humidity has me completely drenched in minutes. Courtenay had told me that when I reached Prospect Rock I'd be able to see her school, but while I have sun up on the mountain, the valley is hidden by low level clouds and her school is hidden from view.Finally, the trail evens out and it's a nice hike towards Greylock Mtn. As I begin to climb again, I get a glimpse of the War Memorial Tower that makes Greylock unique. When I get to the summit I explore the tower which is actually a relocated lighthouse. It has a beautiful mosaic tile dome on the entry level. Then I climb the circular staircase to the top for a 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains. Its nice because there are plaques identifying just what I am looking at. Going down the circular staircase makes me a little dizzy and I rule out Lighthouse keeper as a possible third career.I head into the lodge for lunch and enjoy conversation with the Forest Ranger. He gives me some tips on the trail ahead including some areas where poison ivy is heavy and a shelter that has a bear problem. Dave, a lodge employee offers to take my picture and then slips me a Milky Way candy bar. The forest ranger tells me that Dave is an avid trail angel leaving sodas and treats for hikers all along the trail in MA.The hike from Greylock to Cheshire went much more smoothly for me. I was feeling more energized and the trail was smooth. As I leave the Mt. Greylock park area, I hike over the last 3000 foot mountain I will see until VA. I come to the town of Cheshire and Courtenay is there waiting on me. I hike through town and then slip into an ice cream shop I'd read about in the shelter registers. I treat myself to a strawberry ice cream cone and a gatorade. Courtenay gets an ice cream cone herself. This is a perfect way to end a long, hot, great hike. We take a scenic route home so that she can show me the panoramic view of what I just hiked. We also stop at the mall to go to EMS so that I can once again exchange my shoes. This time just for a half size larger. A store employee takes my picture and Superstar joins the bulletin board of AT thru hikers that have visited the store. Then Courtenay and I drive through the campus of Williams college and run into her husband and step daughter who are going to a school soccer game. We decide to clean up a bit and head over to the local Mexican restaurant where we share margaritas and I proceed to eat an entire order of chicken fajitas! I guess the hiker appetite has kicked in - well, at least it kicks in when I get to town! I can't believe how much I ate and neither can Courtenay. Then its back to her home to plan out tomorrow's schedule and get some rest.