Date: 2013-08-12
From: Stealth Camp on Porcupine Ridge

To: Campsite Stratton-Arlington Rd
Miles today: 18.2

I slept so well last night. I had planned to get up to watch the sunrise, but my motivation waned when it actually came time to get up. It was so cold. I didn't want to get out of my sleeping bag. Finally, I did get moving, but I spent a great amount of time dilly-dallying. I didn't set off until after 8 a.m. Snot Rocket was still sipping on a cup of coffee. Pressure-D walked up right as I was about to leave. He'd stopped at the previous shelter. I hiked with him for a bit, and soon Snot Rocket managed to catch up. We were became a hiking train with me at the back. And try as I may, I couldn't keep up. I was afraid I'd twist an ankle or something worse, so I let them pull away. My pace slowed closer to its norm. I missed their company and the wonderful distraction it provides, but I have to hike my own hike. It was pretty rocky, more rocks than I've seen in a hundred miles. The rocks are covered in a bright green moss. The recent rain has rejuvenated their color and scent. The woods smell like sweet balsam. There are lots of muddy patches and plenty of roots. I'm surprised how worn and overgrown the trail is in places. I'd heard that it was pretty well-traveled so I assumed it would be in a little better shape. I came upon Goodard Shelter. I heard the guys' voices. I was happy to be back in their company. The shelter is in a gorgeous setting. The trees are cut away in front to give way to a vista. Most of the shelters are tucked into dark woods and so much of the natural light is blocked out. But this one was filled with light. I had an early lunch, and we all chatted away. It's moments like this that I feel so happy. I feel so right. I love being a part of this grand trail experience. I set off up to the top of Glastenbury Mountain, through the spruce forest. The ground is soft and spongy. There are lush ferns and Clintonia with their bright blue pearly berries perched atop long stems. Pressure-D said there was a fire tower up top. I generally don't like climbing this things; I hate heights. But he talked me into it. I had no trouble climbing up, but I found it difficult to walk to the edge. I literally freeze up. The view was fantastic. I had a 360 degree view. I could see Greylock and the wind farm. I could see Mtn Stratton where we will head tomorrow. Pressure-D climbed up and pointed out the different mountains. A few birds were flying above the tree tops, but below us. It was spectacular. And then it came time to hike down. I couldn¢t stop saying bad words. They just leaked out of my mouth. Oh, I hate heights. With shaky legs and a tight grip, I eased down the steep steps. Whew, I was happy to be at the bottom again.There were plenty of ups and downs, rocks and roots, mud and moss. I lost myself in my thoughts and memories. My mind just seemed to shift from one subject to the next: songs, movies, food, Tom, childhood, the future, it just cycled through. I passed several lakes, but none of them called to me. I stopped beside one lake to take a short snack break. I found out later that the guys had stopped at a shelter, but I blew right past it. So as I hiked trying to catch up with them, they were sitting back waiting for me. Bummer.I was moving across some bigger rocks. My right foot didn¢t grip the boulder as I expected it to, and before I knew what happened, my foot shot out from under me. I crashed down, poles getting hung up in the moss. Luckily the back of my pack caught the brunt of the fall a split second before my right butt cheek. Thud! It startled me. It¢s only the third non-twisted ankle fall I¢ve taken (the first being way back on Blood Mountain in GA, the second being a few weeks ago in CT when I found myself in a quasi-split). I was okay, but I was wedged down in some rocks. It took a little wiggling to get back to standing. I got my feet back underneath me, and I kept moving. I tromped on for a few more miles. I was getting tired and I dreaded the measly meal I had planned. I¢m getting tired of eating dehydrated food. I passed Black Brook. It was a pretty setting, but there were already a couple of tents set up. I thought I saw Pressure-D , and I enthusiastically bounced up to the hiker only for him to turn around and it not be Pressure-D. Woops. I got down to Stratton-Arlington Rd. I had planned to hike a few more miles, but I saw a familiar looking RV and a familiar looking profile. It was Ornisemis (sic?). He'd done trail magic way back at Max Patch, and I'd run into him again at the cafe in Hot Springs, NC. He'd taken some time off the trail, and now he was back to do a bit of trail magic up north. He asked if I would like a cheese burger. Yes. Yes, I would. I sat down in the grass, and he set up his grill. He brought out some vegetables, and I was able to put together a very delicious, very fresh salad. He offered up a Natural Light beer. Yes, I'd like one of those, too. I tore into my salad and sipped my Nattie Light. Pressure-D emerged from the woods. Yeah! He was as excited by the trail magic as I was. We ate cheeseburgers and talked and drank our beers. Ornisemis told us about a camping spot just a few 100 ft away. After two beers and a cheeseburger, that sounded perfect. So we didn't get those extra two miles in, but I'm so happy. My tummy is happy. My head is happy. My body is happy. My feet are REALLY happy. I can hear the babbling of the stream. Tomorrow will be a bit longer day to get up and over Stratton and into Manchester Center. But the AT gods provided when the providing was most needed. It's been another darn good day. The only down side is that my socks are STINK-KEY. Whew. They'd peel the paint of the wall.