Date: 2003-08-03
From: The Hemlocks Lean-to

To: Tom Leonard Lean-to
Miles today: 14.4

Our day started early when the section hikers that were sharing the shelter decided it was time to start their day. I waited until they were packed up to lower myself from the top floor. Morph innocently asked where they were headed today so that we were certain not to show up at the same shelter. When they answered, he said, "Well, I guess we won't be seeing you folks tonight".These people had their gear spread all over the shelter. There was a clothes line in the shelter and when I asked to use a piece of it, they told me there was another one upstairs that I could use. After dinner they started a fire and burned their trash, including baggies and aluminum cans. We couldn't wait to get away from these people. I've dubbed them the most annoying people on the trail.Cornpatch and I started out first. The rocks were still wet from yesterday's rain and the climb down from Jug End was steep and dangerous. The first time I fell, I cut the palm of my hand as I slid down the sharp rock. I stopped to rinse it out and put antibiotic ointment on it, and when I fell the second time on a wet root, the same hand shot out to stop my fall and received new cuts under my little finger. It cleaned up nicely and hardly bothers me tonight.The rain held off again today until we stopped at a farmer's market called the Corn Cribb on Rt. 7 in Mass. (I forgot to say yesterday that I have completed another state) We ate fresh fruit and ice cream for lunch and drank cold sodas sitting in a wonderful gazebo surrounded by flowers. The lady there let us use the bathroom and she keeps gallon jugs of cold water in the cooler for thru-hikers to fill their water bottles. We managed to stay for an hour and a half.We raced a slow moving storm all the way to the shelter this afternoon, and made it into the building moments before the skies opened. Journey-1, Mother Nature-57.I like the trail in Mass., the boulders are good for getting us in better shape for up north and the giant hemlocks and moss are beautiful.I'm so tired now at the end of the day since starting New York where the boulders and hills started.It's getting darker sooner and we're going to bed earlier and earlier. Tonight I'm already in my bag, writing my journal and it's only 7pm. With me at the shelter are: Cornpatch, Morph, Pace, Chicken Legs and CC, and 2 southbound section hikers.The mood has changed on the trail; everyone can see Katahdin in their sights and it feels good, very good. A hiker told me 2 days ago that he's had enough, he is out here every day to do the miles and be finished as soon as possible, it is no longer a joy for him. I however, am still finding joy in every day. Joy comes in the way of the mist rising out of the ravine where we collected our water from a very cold spring tonight, it comes in the laughter we share with friends, and it comes from Moon Shadow saying, "I love you guys so much".I'm anxious to get home too, but I know that I'll miss this very special place and the people that I have met here.P.S. Happy Birthday to my first born, Jeff. Jack and I brought him into the world at 4:40pm, 27 years ago today. Jeff, I love you 10!