Date: 2018-08-28
From: Crystal Mountain Campsites

To: Near Becket, MA
Miles today: 12.3

On trail at 6:50. I don't know how I did it but made it 3.8 miles to Dalton at 8:20. Maybe the sign's mileage was wrong. I kept walking into town and stopped at the Dalton Diner. I had a meat lover's omelet, hash browns and coffee. A man there said I could go across the street to the community center and get a shower for a donation. I was hoping he was being helpful rather than me being stinky. I went across to the center and told the woman at the desk I'd like to get a shower. She said the showers and towels are free but they do accept donations as she she repeatedly hit the donation box hard with her index finger. The box said $3 so I "donated." After the shower I headed east to the Dalton Laundry. I wanted to wash my muddy socks. While waiting I went to the Dalton General Store for chocolate milk. It was hot out. I was sweating since I left the community center. And a laundromat is no place to cool down. After doing laundry I stopped again at the general store. I wanted to use up my change from the laundromat. I got two liters of Powerade (looked at the bottle to finally spell it right). Then back to the main street and up a side street, once again walking uphill in the heat. I think this is three days in a row now. At the last street up the hill is a hardware store, L.P. Adams. They give free denatured alcohol and Coleman fuel to hikers. I filled my bottle with the denatured alcohol then went in and thanked them. A hot walk across the parking lot and up the dead end street. As I crossed the railroad tracks a Nobo came down the hill and said it's really muddy. As I went on I found he was correct. A very muddy section for half a mile then all was good again. Sweating badly as I went over the first hill I was happy to drop to a stream. There was a pool of water calling my name. I was in and under. I wanted to cool down my core temperature. After a few minutes I got dressed and continued, feeling a bit cooler. The trail climbed but nothing bad. Up high there was a breeze but it was a hot breeze. Up over somewhat open fern-covered Warner Hill. The sun was hot but I was amazed with the view. I could see back to Mt. Greylock which now seemed so far away. It was draped in a haze. A mile or so later I saw a campsite and just after that I saw a stream. The unnamed stream was my destination I saw in the book. I definitely wanted water to wash off and drink. I hesitated for a while. The Cookie Lady is in two more miles. She gives out cookies to hikers. Plus they sell ice cream. But it was so hot and already 5 pm. Two more miles is another hour. I put my pack on not knowing which way I was going to go then I turned back to the campsite I saw. I guess my subconscious took control and wisely because when I dropped my gear I felt lightheaded. I went back to the creek for water. After dumping two liters over my head and filling them for water I slipped and fell in. The creek wasn't deep so now I had some mud on me. Rinse off again and get more water. I felt clumsy and refreshed at the same time. Tomorrow will be a short day due to the heat. I'll go to the AMC cabin at Upper Goose Pond. A good spot to swim and canoe on a hot day. In the mornings the caretaker makes pancakes for the hikers. Maybe, like back at McDonald's, they are hotcakes. We'll find out Thursday morning.