Date: 2008-06-01
From: october mountain lean-to

To: mark loepel lean-to
Miles today: 25.5

The scouts behaved amazingly last night. The leaders said it was bed time because the thru-hikers had to hike 25 miles tomorrow, and they were quiet for the entire night. I was impressed, though it was a group of the older scouts.Around 9:30 last night, a raging thunderstorm came through. For about ten minutes I could hear it approaching fast. It was then upon us. The roof held great, so we could just enjoy the storm. Had some very close lightning strikes and loud thunder. The shelter vibrated some a couple times. Great storm, and great to be holed up in a shelter.Up and out as usual. 12 easy miles into Dalton. Got into town around eleven and started to look for some place to eat. We were craving pizza as usual so we were looking at our map figuring out how to get there when a trail angel pulled up. He drove us down there and we found it was closed. He took us to the next best place and dropped us off.Ate lunch at Angelina's sub shop. A local place. They had a foot long prime rib sub on the specials board. I was immediately sold. The sub was amazing. The prime rib had some juicy fat on it, au jus for dipping, and was overflowing with cheese. It was heaven on a piece of bread. Enjoyed lunch immensely with a coke, bag of chips, and a little debbie pie.After lunch and acquiring some more toilet paper, TB gave me his leftover food and water purification. ToddyBear is leaving the trail to go to a wedding. Sad to see him go, we have been hiking together since Tennessee. That was a really long time and a lot of miles ago.We shook hands and that was it. I am once again hiking solo. There's a couple hikers a couple days up right now, may be able to catch them.Up out of town and over a hill. Not much to see until the end. Before the trail dropped, it came to some marble cliffs overlooking the Hoosic River and the town of Cheshire.Down to Cheshire. The trail passed through the town to cross a river. I came to an ice cream place, right on the trail. No-brainer. There was a picnic table outside, and who should be there but Hurricane and Spencer {now One Flop}. I hadn't seen these guys since before the Smokies. I grabbed a seat and we talked up a storm. Caught up, it was great to see them again. Hurricane gave me his leftover popcorn as they headed off south to finish up their slackpack. I will probably meet up with them tomorrow night at the shelter.Had a delicious ice cream and reminisced back to the last time I had ice cream...the half gallon at Pine Grove. Thought about doing that again a couple times since but haven't yet.Left town and headed up into the foothills of Mt. Graylock, the highest point in MA. Climbed 1800 easy feet to the shelter. Boy is it nice to be getting back into the mountains. The low ridges are easy but boring. Took the climb well.Saw some officers again near the shelter. There was a homeless guy squatting at one, and they have been checking all the nearby shelters to make sure they shooed him off. Really friendly guys to talk to, and I'm glad they're taking the time to help out the hikers.Three other sectioners at the shelter, plenty of room. First might without TDM in a very long time.