Date: 2007-05-22
From: Tom Levardi's house/Dalton, Ma.

To: Williamstown, Ma.
Miles today: 23.8

Less than 600 miles to go! Whoo hoo! And Wow, what a great sleep I had! I slept so very soundly, and even had dreams. I did wake up at about 5:00, but that is usual. I was able to go back to sleep after propping an extra pillow just right to block out the sunlight.I woke to Hugo (the dog) walking around downstairs, wanting to go outside. Last day to hike... Sad.Since Groovasaurus and I had prepared our packs last night, we were ready pretty quickly. We all loaded into Tom's car, Hugo included, and left for breakfast at Duff & Dell's. Great place. Breakfast/convenience store/codger coffee and gossip hangout. The fresh coffee, 2 eggs, homefries and toast sat well in my happy tummy as we three sat around the table scratching lottery tickets and telling stories. Good stories flowed easily. We eventually loaded back into Tom's car and while Tom drove us to Williamstown, Groovasaurus contemplated taking a zero day. Since he could not decide, I helpfully offered, "Ok, I am guessing a number. If you can guess that number, you hike. If not, you take the day off!" He laughed and ended up taking the day off.The hike up the north side of Greylock Mountain was pretty steep. My personal challenge is always to keep going until I get to the top, even if I am gasping for breath. Don't stop on a slope! Keep on. This was a little difficult, but lucky for me, I ran into Hansel and Grettel again so I had to stop, of course! We chatted a good long while, and when they found out today was my last day for now, we took each other's pictures and trailjournal info. They are such kind people. He is definitely the extrovert ot the two, but both made me feel as if they truly did want me to be careful and enjoy my hike. They did not just say it in repetition or obligation. They meant it. Very sweet people.They provided me with an hour or so of thoughts on all the different ways people hike the trail. "Hike your own hike," indeed. But, the mountain continued upwards, so I had to as well. Nice climb, though. I came to a nice overlook at a good resting point. From 640' to 2450' I'd come. I stopped to enjoy the nice view, sit and take it all in. Then, I got up and started hiking again. I quickly zoned back into the move-move-movement and got fairly far down the trail until 1/2 an hour or so, something felt not quite right. The shape of the trail, the uncharacteristic turn, the juuuust too much growth alongside or the very spirit...something was not right.I stopped and checked, and sure enough, I was on a dang Blue Blaze trail. No white blazes in sight. Dang.I contemplated continuing on that trail and hoping for an AT intersection, or perhaps bushwacking down...somewhere, and hoping for the same result. Ultimately, I decided it was best to give in and turn around just in case I'd missed a less obvious fork not too long ago. Sadly, my fork was 1/2 hour back at that freakin' viewpoint. Sigh...The WWII monument finally popped into view as I got closer. The view was nice and also a good motivator up those last 2 small climbs. Neat monument. Giant, stone tower with a globe-shaped light on top. And, a beautiful view of the tiny town 3000' below. Those climbs always make me feel proud, lucky and happy. At peace. On the walk down, I saw 2 nice ponds, but not much wildlife other than chipmunks which I continue to think are the cutest creatures on earth (other than Ashton.) Lots of mossy areas and neat fungus on trees.My mom says, in her childhood years, she imagined that moss was where faries lived. If that is the case, then today I saw fairy duplexes, apartments, Main Streets, downtowns, and condos. Lots of neat, magical-looking views. Even the rocks were somehow different. When they were moss-covered and wet, they looked like a part of this fairy land. Others were neat, white, shiney rocks I'm sure Sean the geologist would have been thrilled to see, and he would have told me all about how, why, and when they occur in natural history.Before entering into Cheshire, I crossed a cow pasture. Probably dairy cows. Since they were the only "wildlife" I'd seen today, I stopped to take a picture. This involved more than it seems it should. I had to remove pack, open said pack, remove camera, open case, turn on camera, aim, and take picture. As I did all this, the cows came closer... and closer. Then, almost jogging, the cows came very quickly closer!Although I was not exactly nervous at their interest, their sudden increase in speed and proximity made me decide to move on. Calmly, but quickly! They followed for a bit, but gave up and resumed eating. I laughed at myself and kept on.When I made it to Cheshire, I stopped at a little snack shack that I'd been looking forward to for lunch. I'd been told it was right on the trail. But, when I asked the lady for a vegetarian option, she offered me a tuna sandwich... Hm... nooo...So, I had a bag of chips, bowl of ice cream, 32 oz Gatorade, and barely made it up the next climb out of that town! Bleh. The last 10 miles were relatively level, but I was dragging from the ice cream. Nice trees. Lots of pines, which smell lovely. When I at last pulled into Dalton, stupid jerky teenagers flew by in their car and yelled and honked obnoxiously at me. That sucks in general, even more so after a 24 mile hike. I just wated to gently tell them about myself- how I am a student, a good person, and so happy to have the opportunity to hike. Maybe then they'd understand. Maybe not.However, my iPod then played an awesome song which made me laugh as I rolled up to Tom's house. Hugo happily greeted me, I felt fine, I opened the door and saw both Groovasaurus and now Guthook in addition! I got happy greetings from both of them as well, then also from Tom, and every body asked how the hike was with true interest and sincerity. Ahh... Then the universe was right once again.I took a quick (wonderful) shower, then we four dined on fresh cabbage, carrots, potatos, broccolli, green beans, sausage and corn. Wow, Tom. Then, of course, ice cream and pie! Ooh happy tummy.We all watched The Big Lebowski and Detour showed up in the middle of the movie. Last day at its end...Love it.