Date: 2004-08-06
From: Brassie Brook Lean-to

To: Egremont Inn, South Egremont, MA
Miles today: 13.2

Connecticut gave us a most gorgeous farewell. Surprisingly, the climb to Bear Mountain summit was quite easy. At 2316 feet, it boasts to be the highest point in CT. I began the morning's climb in long pants and jacket and didn't generate enough body warmth to have to shed them until the summit. And now my claim to fame is having changed clothes at the highest point in CT! The opportunity to enjoy the comforts and luxury of a soft bed, running water, fresh refrigerated food is appreciated, but I miss the freedom and relaxation which I treasure when sleeping in my tent outdoors in the cool and quiet of the night. It feels "right" to be back out here. Perhaps the reason lies more in the fact that living in the woods is a mainstay of my AT journey, my chosen lifestyle for six months. To be in hotel rooms or friends' homes too frequently almost seems like cheating! But I digress. Bear Mountain was covered in blueberries. I didn't take time to pick handfuls but I did enjoy samplings as I crossed the mountain. A steep descent led us to one of the most picturesque environments along the AT thus far. My finger was shutter-happy with my camera. Each time I turned my head I'd spy the perfect photo op. Still the lens cannot come close to capturing the intense beauty and multiple moods which stretched before us. My spirits were gloriously uplifted as I walked alongside the brook criss-crossing amongst the rocks and tree roots, gazing up into the diverse forest of deciduous and pine trees, entertained by the play of sunlight and shadows. As I concentrated on committing to memory details of the scenery of which my photos would serve only as a reminder, once again I considered my good fortune to be able to be here, in good health, with the support and love of so many friends back home. I am truly blessed. The glorious beauty of Sage's Ravine seems an apt reflection of all that is good in mankind, God, and this creation.Onward to Massachusetts! Almost in competition with Connecticut, Massachusetts gave us a beauteous glory of its own. Race Mountain at 2430 feet put us at the top of everything within 30-40 miles. And it kept us there for nearly an hour. We skipped along the flattish boulders on the ridge with nearly 360% views of the land below. In the far distance we could count four ridges of mountains. I wonder how many of them we will be summitting in the week to come.Unfortunately, what goes up must come down. The descents were not kind to anyone with problem knees. The fun of navigating and conquering a rocky descent was bittersweet as Ursa Minor was in great pain. Her short stature and injured knee presented a challenge 10 times greater than normal.The trail ribboned from the descent of Race Mountain to the summit of Mount Everett at 2602 feet, down yet a third rocky descent, up to Mount Bushnell at 1835 feet. Halfway down Mount Everett we met Debbie who has learned "not to hike empty-handed. I've got TWIX!". What a perfect moment for trail magic! We were as thrilled with this delightful surprise as children at Christmas. Thanks, Debbie!Next on the tour was the most fun or frustrating (depending on one's perspective and degree of pain) section of today's 13-mile jaunt: The Jug End. I felt like a yo-yo with the multiple ups and downs, all rocky and lasting a full two miles. Today's stats: 13.2 miles in 10 hours. We hadn't committed ourselves to a particular end point but Ursa Minor asked to go into South Egremont to a hotel, allowing her to ice her sore knee. So here we are in this high-end B&B in the middle of the Berkshires (not far from Tanglewood and Jacob's Pillow where my daughter danced one summer), in a lovely room with a whirlpool tub, and I'm in a very foul mood. My frustration at being unable to help my trail sister in her pain, my concern about the injury not healing and preventing or severely compromising a thru-hike completion for one or both of us, and my disappointment at spending yet another night and more money in a hotel room has manifested into a selfish funk. Ursa Minor is a saint to be putting up with me tonight. All will look more positive after a good night's sleep.To end on a more amusing note: I cooked my supper (mushroom and sun-dried tomato cous-cous) over my alcohol stove which I placed in the center of the whirlpool tub in a $110 room (hiker rate!) in a luxury B&B in the middle of the Berkshire Mountains, while other more wealthy patrons ate $30-$40 meals with linen napkins, expensive crystal, china and flatware in the restaurant downstairs. Shhhh!!! Don't tell!