Date: 2018-06-28
From: St Mary's Assumption church Cheshire mile 1577.5

To: Mt Greylock
Miles today: 8.4

I woke up at 5:30 after hearing the pouring rain all night. I grabbed my quilt from the right side of me and noticed my hand was wet. So I moved the quilt quickly and realized some water had been seeping into my tent on the right side because I wasn't able to stretch my rain fly and vestibule out all the way on that side. Though it wasn't much I just didn't want my quilt to get wet so I packed everything up inside my tent, and went inside the hall to use the restroom and brush my teeth. When I came back out and went into the classroom, Eddieman man was there and he realized that the rain had almost stopped and this would be a really good time to take down the tent quickly. So we did just that. And I used a bandana to dry up the water on my tent floor and packed it away with my rain fly, because the bottom underneath was wet. I boiled some water outside on the picnic table and had an oatmeal that alligator and Eddy man head given me. It was absolutely delicious with strawberries and nuts in it. we are getting slack packed today by Debbie, the shuttle driver who rescued us from the Bears a couple of days ago. While I was getting my pack ready she pulled up, almost an hour early but waited. I put my tent my clothes my cooking kit and all the other things that I would not need today inside the plastic bag liner of my backpack And put it in the back of Debbie's van. In my backpack I kept only the essentials that I would need today, and I filled my water bladder with fresh tap water so that I wouldn't need to filter water along the way. We paid Debbie which was more than a reasonable rate, and I gave her a little extra thinking that it was too inexpensive for her time and she drove away. a few minutes later we left the church and Debbie called Rivers cell phone, stating that she had the wrong address for Bascom Lodge where she is supposed to drop off our gear. She thought she was only going 5 miles, when in reality to get to the lodge is a 30 minute drive. So we walked to the post office and she met us there to collect the additional fee, which we were all more than happy to pay. It means a lot to be able to slack pack especially on a day such as today, and most shuttle drivers are reasonable with their rates, Debbie included of course. once that was squared away, we headed out in pouring rain to conquer Mount Greylock. we have reservations to stay in the bunk room at the lodge, and for dinner. We're estimating that we will make it by 2pm and check in is at 3pm. We are all really looking forward to the lodge!As I hoped it wouldn't, it poured and poured and the trail today was a small stream flowing at me as I was ascending Mount Greylock. It really never stopped, and my rain gear soaked through to my clothing, and my feet felt like little prunes. We stopped at Mark Noble shelter for lunch, and Eddyman had packed out instant Starbucks coffee and his jetboil this morning, so that he could make coffee for us at lunch time and we could all at least have that enjoyment on this dreary day. while he was making us coffee, I took off my boots and dumped the water on the shelter floor, and wrung out all four of my socks. I tried to let my feet dry out a little before having to put my wet socks and wet shoes back on. While we were enjoying our coffee sitting on the bunks, a couple of children strolled over to the picnic table from the trail, and then another, and then I realized who they might be and I asked if they were the Crawford Family. The children answered yes, and shortly thereafter the rest of the six children and the parents arrived and seated at the picnic table for their lunch and break. We had a little small talk and enjoy each other's company while they had their lunch, they let us play Paparazzi and take a couple of photos, and then we left the shelter ahead of them.Shortly after resuming our hike North, the Crawford Family passed us. It was awesome to hear the children singing and giggling and talking ahead of us on the trail for a really long time, even in areas where they were out of our site. Clearly they are enjoying their Journey at least on this rainy day.When we reached the summit of Greylock, it was no longer pouring, but very foggy and drizzly and gray. We took a few moments to peer through the fog at the war memorial which marks the summit, but I did not go inside. I was hoping to reserve a trip inside the memorial for tomorrow morning when hopefully the clouds and Rain would clear and I would be able to see the gorgeous views up here. After a few photos and a look at the beautiful raised map of the mountain range, we entered the lodge.The clerk who checked us in went to high school with Eddieman. It's a small world indeed! she was very kind, and told us that we could use the hooks on the enclosed porch where Debbie had dropped our gear earlier in the day to hang up our tents and wet items to dry. So we did just that, to dry out our tent rain flies rain gear at cetera. The fireplace was going in the lodge so we took off our boots and dried them in front of that. We checked into the bunk room and a Gentleman showed us around upstairs. We immediately returned downstairs to grab our gear and went back up and claimed our bunks, the coveted bottom bunks! Right after that we were all taking a hot shower and trying to wash some of our clothes, either in the shower or in the bathroom sinks. I was feeling relaxed yet a little sleepy so I went upstairs to my bunk and laid down for a few minutes. I journaled but couldn't update anything because even though there's Wi-Fi here it is very poor and intermittent. I wondered downstairs at 6: 45 to find the area with the fireplace pretty full of guests enjoying an evening glass of wine or beer. I located Phillip, and scored myself a glass of Cabernet. When the dining room opened for the 7 seating River Eddieman Alligator and myself were seated at one table. they enjoyed freshly baked bread with butter, and I enjoyed just the butter. I know that sounds strange but it tasted really good and I needed the fat. I had another glass of wine with my pork chop which was accompanied by fresh mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus and was absolutely delicious, as were the waldorf salad and sorbet. The company was great. I really love these people and I feel so blessed to have met them all!I went upstairs after dinner, sleepy from the wine, brushed and flossed and retired to my bunk for the night. I was dozing in and out as the other bunk room occupants retired one by one.