Date: 2011-08-02
From: Mt Wilcox South Shelter

To: Jug End Road
Miles today: 16.3

      As the completion of the fourth state draws closer, the water sources grow farther and farther apart. What the guidebooks and maps call streams and springs, are found to be simply dusty creek beds and sandy mud puddles.       The trail in southern New England crosses many roads, and even uses some of the roads as actual trail. This has greatly aided in finding water. It has become a regular occurrence, on days where the trail crosses a road at or near occupied dwellings, to request the use of a spigot to refill my water.       Without a doubt, I do enjoy water and find myself carrying enough to be comfortably thirsty, and not just enough to maintain my physical activity. Thus, my back and legs carry a bit more weight for the comfort of having a bit more water.       Everything on the trail seems to be an exchange of sorts. This for that, and that for this. If I wish to eat better, I must sacrifice mileage by either carrying more food weight, or by spending more time getting to and from towns. If I wish to increase daily miles, some of the comforts of my pack must go. I can¢t have everything, and that¢s OK. I couldn¢t carry it anyway.        The third road crossing of today is Lake Buel Road. Just prior to reaching the road, I came to a parking lot on the north side of the road with an Appalachian Trail kiosk. Massachusetts has had A.T. kiosks at several road crossings and parking lots.   The kiosks are simply two-sided bulletin boards with one side showing a map of the entire trail and the other side containing information about camping regulations and local hiker resources. I briefly look over the map and find where I am, where I wish to camp today, and where I would like to be in a week. My back is to the road and I hear a rustle in the woods. Turning around, I see the first black bear of the trip. Having seen more signs of bear activity once I entered northern Massachusetts, it was only a matter of time until I had my first sighting. The bear was seemingly unaware of my presence and was walking slowly across the vacant gravel parking lot towards the wooded hillside. I quietly, but not quietly enough, reached for my camera which was currently in the right hip pocket on my pack. The small adult black bear was now very aware of me. It acted very surprised, and its entire body jerked all at once. It stood there looking at me for a mere second before running into the cover of the woods. Counting my paces from where I was standing at the kiosk, to the disturbed gravel where the bear was surprised, I was only able to reach nine steps. This was by far the closest I had ever been to a black bear, and my only regret is that it was not captured on film.         After descending June Mountain, there is a brief walk through corn fields and farmland to reach US 7. Three miles to the west is the town of Great Barrington. I meet Brad at US 7 and we are slowly strolling west on US 7 with no intention of walking all the way to the center of town. We had heard of a restaurant about a quarter of a mile from the trail, and were headed there. Within a few minutes, a woman pulled over to the shoulder in front of us and asks if we would like a ride into town. ¢Absolutely!¢ We learn that she is a past A.T. through hiker, and that the diner we were going to visit was closed today. She drops us off in the middle of downtown. We are standing at a bustling city intersection with too many restaurant choices. We decide on a caf© call Gypsy Joint, and I had an amazing Muffaletta Sandwich with macaroni salad. Afterwards, while searching for ice cream, I bought a one pound bag of Sour Patch Kids candy and it didn¢t last the rest of the day.             While slowly walking back in the direction of the trail, with full stomachs and packs heavy with clear water, we attempted to hitch a ride. No luck was to be had initially, but then a lady going the opposite direction stopped in the middle of US 7 and asked us through her window if we were going back to the trail. Upon learning that we were, she miraculously performed a tight U-turn from a stop in the middle of US 7, with other motorists honking all the while. Our two easiest hitches of the trip so far, turned out to not even be legit hitches.          The remainder of the day is an easy walk through farmland and bogs. The bogs in Massachusetts have all had nice planks built above them, and the boardwalks all seemed to be very well maintained. What a nice change this was from trudging through the mud.          I suddenly noticed a stinging sensation on my left calf, which was quite a bit more annoying than the usual bug bites. Looking down just before swatting the pest, I see that it is a yellow jacket apparently having a field day with its stinger on my innocent leg. I continue walking with the annoyance of the sting lasting less than 30 minutes.        Upon reaching the crossing of Jug End Road, it is time to begin the search for a good tent site. One guidebook (2011 Edition) states there is a reliable piped spring, just 0.2 miles down the gravel road. A passing motorist stops and I tell him I¢m headed to the piped spring just ahead, and he informs me that it has been dry for 4 or 5 years. He tells me if I would like to come to his house on Jug End Road I could fill up on water there. Of course I accept this offer. I drink as much as I can before filling the containers. I learn that his name is David and he has met other hikers while they were looking for the so-called reliable piped spring.       Dinner is amazing at camp tonight with such a refreshing drink to enjoy. It is such a treat to have clear, clean water.