Date: 2014-08-09
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: North Adams, MA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Athena and I headed out for the trail after a big breakfast of eggs, sausage, and pancakes. We headed back into the woods with an iffy weather forecast at best. Our plan for the night was fairly fluid. We stopped for snack at Prospect Rock with a great view of Manchester Center below and chatted with some locals out day hiking. Around 4pm we passed Stratton Pond, which is a really lovely spot. Some hikers were swimming in the pond, others sunbathed on the grassy bank. Athena's knee was bothering her and her energy level was flagging so we decided to stop for the night at the shelter there. Stratton Poind Shelter is a massive, two-storied shelter with bunks and a sleeping loft. It can pack in some hikers which turned out to be a really good thing because the skies opened up about an hour after we got there. I had been on my way back to the pond to get water when I heard what sounded like a stream. This was strange because I didn't remember crossing a stream before. What I was hearing was in reality a curtain of rain hitting the pond on the far side. Deciding to at least attempt staying dry I turned and booked it back to the shelter. The last few yards I was at a full run. I ducked under the porch cover just as the large drops began pelting down. Wet, cold, and tired hikers poured into the shelter for the next few hours. In all there were 17 hikers that night huddled together trying to stay closer to the interior where the wind wasn't blowing the rain in. The rain continued all night and into the next morning. Athena and I had originally talked about waking early to get up to the top of Stratton Mountain to catch the sunrise, but when the time came and the precipitation continued both of us rolled over and went back to sleep. Even if we had left the view would have been only of clouds so neither of us saw the point in getting soggy. Thankfully our procrastination paid off again. The rain let up around 8am. By the time we were ready to leave around 9am it was gorgeous out. At the top of Stratton Mountain we ran into Knives and Unplugged and Lucky Dan (Unplugged's little brother). They were also taking in the view from the summit. There is an old fire tower there with views of the surrounding countryside for as far as the eye can see. Some kind person had even taken the time to label on the glass all the names of the mountains, ponds, hills, etc. that you were looking at from there in every direction. Stratton Mountain boasts not only fantastic views, but also a bit of AT history. This is the summit on which Benton MacKaye was inspired to propose the creation of the trail. Seeing such majesty I can understand why. For those who love the great outdoors, a footpath connecting the major summits of the Appalachians is a dream come true. I almost can't imagine there not being one. In addition, Stratton Mountain marked the quarter point for us. I am now officially 1/4 of the way done with the trail! Hurray! The next couple of days Athena and I ended up with Knives, Unplugged, and Lucky Dan as bunk mates in the shelters. The state of the shelters though began to decline rapidly. There are clearly more people on the trail the farther south I go, not only thru-hikers but also locals as the shelters get closer and closer to towns and roads. Unfortunately more people means more crumbs, trash, etc. which attracts pesky little rodents and other animals. Knives got hit multiple days in a row by mice getting into his food bag. I felt quite bad for him but secretly thankful that they had gotten him instead of me. The last shelter the mice were very bold indeed and started forays towards the shelter and surrounding camp while we were still up and eating. Normally they at least wait until we are crawling into our sleeping bags for the night before peaking out. My love affair with the shelter system is dwindling. I love the social aspect of the shelters but if they continue to be such pits I will be sticking to the woods more and more.The next day we crossed the border into Massachusetts. Always an exciting milestone! Athena and I needed to go into North Adams to get some more food. Cozy came along with us and we ended up having lunch at Friendly's along with a NOBO, Spaceman Spiff, before hitting the grocery store. Normally I shy away from chain restaurants, but our options within walking distance were limited and we wanted to be quick so we could get back on trail. Quick did not happen. We stayed at that Friendly's stuffing our faces for almost three hours. I had fish and chips with coleslaw, four iced teas, and a two-scoop sundae of pistachio and maple walnut ice cream with chunks of pound cake and whipped cream on top. Heavenly. It continues to amaze me how enjoyable eating is and how restorative sharing a meal with friendly faces can be. Food. You don't appreciate it as much back home. On the trail it becomes this great thing that we obsess over and dream about. Hikers spend an inordinate amount of time thinking and talking about food. Until there is food actually in front of us. Then there is no talking, only a concentrated and quiet consumption. Once the food is gone again the conversation somehow inevitably reverts back to food. We have one track minds that really get down to basics!