Date: 2003-08-29
From: Great Barrington, MA

To: New Hampshire-White Mtns
Miles today: 0.0

I'm back.....kind of! :) I flew back to the trail yesterday, and even though I haven't officially set foot on the AT, it feels good to be back!   I grabbed a flight to New York and then hopped on a bus to Grand Central Station. Wasn't I just here?! :)I was walking through Grand Central when a man came up and grabbed my arm. Bumpkin's husband, Jerry!! Well, actually, this wasn't a huge surprise! He cooked up this elaborate plan to meet me in NY, drive up to Great Barrington and surprise Bumpkin!Isn't he wonderful?! Well, we grabbed a train, got Bumpkins car which was being stored at Janes house, and we headed North.    I called Bumpkin, and it turns out that she was going to a folk concert at the Guthrie Center, which is Arlo Guthries church... the orginal church in "Alice's Restaurant". I had played here a couple of years ago, and had been hoping that we could see a show there, so when Bumpkin told me that she was going to go by herself, I was really excited. I made plans to meet her there, and prodded Jerry to drive faster! We were going to see Bumpkn, surprise the mess out of her, AND hear some folk music!! It just doesn't get any better!!   When we got to the Guthrie Center, I tiptoed in, caught her eye, and motioned for her to come outside. Her face lit up like a lightbulb when she saw me, and as we hugged I thought, "She thinks she's happy now...wait til she sees what I brought her!" :) We stepped outside, and Jerry stepped out from behind a bush. I wish I could adequately describe the look on her face.....it was the exact same look that was on my dads face last Saturday! Shock so complete that it appeared as if she didn't even recognize him! And she cried. I was so happy for her!! :) After all the warm fuzzies, we went back insde to hear some good folk music. I wish I could tell you who we heard, but coming in late, I never got his name. However, the Guthrie Center always puts on a great show, and this guy was no exception! I cannot tell you how special it was to be sitting in this beautiful old church with two of my favorite people in the world singing along to "American Pie". It was the best!! Now, for a quick update.....We are jumping ahead again. The terrain is getting tougher, and our milage is going down so we are heading to New Hampshire to tackle the White Mountains. Am I ready for this? No way!! But it has to be done!For all my Mass. friends, I think we will be hiking Mass. the third or fourth week of October. I have been so looking forward to seeing all of you, so somehow, I will be there! :)For my New Hampshire friends, heads up cause we are headed your way!! I will know later today where exactly we will be. I hope that I can still hike with ya'll, given such short notice!! Also, I am reeeaaaally hoping that the three of us can go to Don Whites concert next week. We need a ride, but it might be too far, so anyone that is going, please let me know!!! (Karles, it will probably be too far for you to come get us! But will you email me and tell me where it will be?) Oh, and as far as maildrops go, we will go by Dalton, Ma. to pick up our mail. I have no idea what the next one will be, but I will let you know! Take care! I have to go hiking now! :)Love, Anna aka Mud Buttwww.trailjournals.com