Date: 2017-08-07
From: Kay Wood Shelter Tent Site

To: Cheshire, MA. Backyard of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church
Miles today: 11.8

8/7Kay Wood Shelter Tent Site to Cheshire, MA. Backyard of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church11.8 miles Total miles:  1577.5I was awake and moving a bit after 5:30 this morning, as I wanted to get an early start so I could at least be as far as Dalton when the scheduled storm hit. I talked to a few hikers who were taking a zero today in a hotel room to wait out the upcoming storm.  It was chilly,  but the sky looked surprisingly clear.  I was on the trail by 7:00 and covered the three miles to Dalton at a good pace on good trail, arriving in town by 8:30.  Dalton is a pretty town with lots of nice homes.  The trail goes right down several streets.  One house had a sign with distances to Springer and Katahdin displayed.  I passed another house and noticed a group of hikers gathered around a picnic table with perhaps ten tents pitched in the yard behind them. There was a gentleman with a large black cat sitting with the hikers.  This was Tom, who for years has let hikers sleep in his backward and has provided help and assistance to them. I read last year that he had decided to stop, due to the large number and questionable behavior of some of the hikers. When I purchased my guidebook before my trip, I checked and found that, indeed, his name was removed from services offered to hikers in Dalton. Tom explained that he hasn't stopped, but by removing his name, the number of hikers staying in his yard has dropped to a manageable number. His location is noted by a discreet dot on the Dalton map in the guidebook.  Although I didn't stay with him, I am thrilled that this incredibly generous man is still in the business of assisting hikers. Well met, Tom, and thank you again. JP arrived while I was talking with Tom, and we walked together through Dalton. We passed an old paper mill, with a large splash dam. It was an impressive sight watching the river cascade over the dam. I assumed the mill was no longer in service, but that proved to be incorrect. As i later walked out of town, I chatted with a Dalton resident who was trimming his yard.  He told me the paper mills in Dalton produce the paper onto which our nation's currency is printed.  No tours and no free samples.  After passing the mill, JP and I walked to the Dalton Restaurant, where I had coffee,  orange juice, and an everything omelet. I confused our server when I asked her what was on the everything omelet.  "Everything," she replied.  It was delicious. There was a sign that said to seat yourself, so it was by sheer chance that JP and I chose the booth labeled "Pig Pen," which contained numerous little pig statuettes on a shelf above the booth. Gravity joined us a bit later, and we all had a fantastic breakfast. JP remained in Dalton to meet his family who was coming to visit, while Gravity and I continued on to Cheshire. The eight plus miles of trail between the two towns was pretty easy peasy, and we made good time. There was an occasional light drizzle, but the forecasted storm never materialized while we were hiking.  The view from The Cobbles of the Hoosic River Valley with the town of Cheshire below and Mount Greylock in the distance was first rate. Rain still threatened when I entered town, so I immediately headed to the St. Mary of the Assumption Church, which allows hikers to camp on the lawn adjacent to their Parrish Hall.  They also allow use of the hall during the day and evening hours. I set up my tent near the beautiful church and visited with other hikers in the hall. After Gravity arrived,  we walked down to Diane's Twist, a small establishment right along the trail that features sandwiches, drinks,  and ice cream. I had a meatball sub, chips, and a Gatorade. I also purchased a chocolate shake to go.  Although it was getting chilly, and I was shivering a bit as I drank my shake, it was so worth it. Miss Diane was very friendly and personable and helps make the day of many hikers as they first walk into Cheshire. Gravity and I then walked to the Dollar General to resupply. I'm very excited that my next resupply will be with Becky in Bennington.  Mount Greylock stands between Cheshire and Bennington, and that will be for tomorrow.  The rain came in earnest this evening, but I was dry and sorting resupply in the Parrish Hall l when it came. It was misting when I went to my tent to go to bed.  The rocks will be wet and slick tomorrow, and my shoes have just about given up the ghost (Becky is bringing my new pair on Thursday), so I'll be taking my time on Mount Greylock, which is the first large mountain we've climbed in quite some time. In two days I'll be in Vermont, and in three days I'll see Becky. Life is good here on the AT.