Date: 2005-07-27
From: Powerline before Mt. Wilcox South

To: Tyringham, MA Fire Pavillion
Miles today: 9.1

Whew! Made it just in time to beat the storm!!! Mr. Clean, Jr. told us after listening to his radio this morning that storms were predicted for this afternoon....storms that included strong winds and hail. I had a hard time buying into that since the sun was shining so brightly. He was right though, and just after we made it into the town pavillion, the bottom dropped out.This morning we slept in, after night-hiking last night. We emerged from our tents around 9am and packed everything up. As so often is the case when night-hiking, we were only about 4 tenths of a mile from the shelter when we stopped last night. We hiked up to the shelter to cook breakfast and gather water. The spring was icy cold, but a "dipper". We sat around at the shelter and enjoyed a leisurely morning with coffee, tea, and grits. We all came to the conclusion that this is what backpacking should be like....not rushed to get somewhere, but laid back and enjoyable. It is amazing how even out here in the "wilderness" we can get so caught up in our time schedules and daily grind. Vicky, Clean's wife, is meeting him on Thursday for their 1 year wedding anniversary, so we have slowed our pace considerably this last week in order to meet her in Lee,MA on the 28th. I must admit that it has been nice doing low mileage days and enjoying both morning and afternoon, not feeling rushed to get started or exhausted when we roll into camp for the night.Around 11am we finally got motivated to hike. We were toying with the idea of going into Tyringham vs. a random spot near a stream on the trail. Throughout the south, it was easy to look at the guide and say, "There is a nice stream here, surely there will be a place to set up our tents nearby." Up here, that has not been the case! Throughout Connecticut and Massachussets when you see something listed as a stream, it very well could be a bog or swamp. As we hiked, Clean told us of the weather report he had heard and that pretty much sealed the decision right there.We stopped for a lunch break at Beartown Mountain Road, and Mr. Clean called Vicky, while Bug called a former colleague back in Memphis. I enjoyed a tasty meal of peanut butter on sesame bagel while Bug feasted on salmon wraps...I have about had my fill of tuna and salmon packs. Buttah soon joined us and we passed some time playing Trivial Pursuit with his Pringles.We continued on our way at the behest of Clean, Jr. There was a steep descent down to Fernside Road, but the views were pretty as we looked out across mountainsides of lush green foliage. As we reached the road, Bug told us that a section hiker had informed him of a spring about 300 yards away, not listed in the data book or Wingfoot. As we walked the distance (to the right for a northbounder) to the spring, we found an ice-cold, crystal-clear spring running from a trough into a large bucket. We all thought it was an oasis, as we were hot, tired, and dehydrated. We filled our waterbags and Bug and Clean each dumped several liters over their heads to cool off. I was happy just to soak my bandana, although it was quite amusing watching them squirm and make all kinds of noise as they drenched their heads in this icy water. We thought it wise to camel up on water, so we each downed at least a liter of water before hiking the last 3 miles into Tyringham. The thunder started in just as we began making our way down the mountainside, so we all picked up the pace eager to get into town.Anticipation ran high, and we were all in the mindset of going downhill. That's why we were so surprised when upon seeing the town across the valley, the trail turned away and proceeded straight up. As much as I have enjoyed the experience and privilege of hiking the AT, I will never understand why it routes us in some of the directions we take! We made it over this mountain though, like we have made it over so many countless others...with God's help.After making it to the road, we walked into town. It is a beautiful and picturesque little town. According to Wingfoot it served as a summer retreat for Mark Twain among others. We stopped at the B&B long enough to purchas ice-cold cokes and ice cream bars, and then made our way down here to the pavillion. Which leaves me where I started....the rain is pouring buckets out there, and I am so grateful that we made it here in time. The temperatures have also dipped quite a bit, which is good, but unexpected. Therefore, I must go and change into my thermals before I start to shiver. Supposed to be sunny, 70s, and low humidity tomorrow---perfect weather for hiking. I'll let you know if we are so lucky!