Date: 2004-08-10
From: Mt. Greylock

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: few clouds

Start Mt.Greylock, Mass.Destination Seth Warner Shelter There is nothing better to wake up to than the smell of bacon frying. Hmmm, hmmm. I woke up to that smell, and got up and watched the sun come up over the mountain range. There were lots of red colors in the sky, so I know that rain is on the way. There were eight hungry hikers for breakfast this morning. We put away plate after plate of pancakes, home fries, bacon, toast and fresh sliced cantaloupe, all washed down with glasses of orange juice and mugs of hot coffee.   It was a good thing I had a filling breakfast, the first three miles of the trail went down hill. Going downhill is in some ways just as taxing as going up hill. You have to really watch your step to avoid putting undue stress on your knees. I slowly made my way down, weaving back and forth like a downhill skier. About the time I was ready for my mid morning break, a vista overlooking the towns of Williamstown and North Adams seemed the perfect place to take a break. Have you ever read something, and then have it not register what you read? That is exactly what I did when I got up to leave. I read the sign telling me which way and how far to the road it was, then I proceeded to hike in the opposite direction, the way I had just come. Of course it was down hill going back. Then as I came to another sign, I said, "Hmmm, I have been here before." Lucky for me I had not hiked but ten minutes in the wrong direction. Of course the hike back up to the vista seemed twice as steep as the first time I hiked it. It was just before the trail came out of the woods into town, that I met a southbound hiker. He noticed my Rotary Banner on the back of my pack, and asked me about it. Turns out he had just returned from India where he had gone with Rotary International's Polio Program to vaccinate the children there. I was so excited about meeting someone who was familiar with this program, that I forgot to get his name. Lunchtime found me at the road crossing where a mere .7 miles away was a Friendly's Restaurant, which in my book has the very best ice cream. I really wanted an ice cold cola also, so I elected to hike to the restaurant. I had gone just a little ways when taxi cab pulled in front of me and the passenger motioned for me to get in. It was the wife and son of the Rotarian I had met earlier. I was thrilled to learn his name and grateful for the ride. The waitress made me leave my pack outside the door, but seated me where I could keep an eye on it. I ordered a bowl of Clam Chowder and a coke, and before I was through the people seated next to me had struck up a conversation with me. They were impressed with my hiking; I was impressed that one of them runs marathons. They were in the area on vacation. I ordered two scoops of ice cream and kept talking. They said if I would wait until they were finished with dessert, they would give me a ride back to the trail. Would I wait? You bet! That gave me enough time to eat another two scoops of ice cream! As we walked out to their car, I stopped short as I saw the license plate on the front of their car. Rotary International; I started laughing and turned to show them my Rotary Banner hanging from my pack. We had another great conversation about Rotary's Polio Project. I was grateful for the ride back to the trail. Road walking is not only hot but hard, and after the treats of town, the walk seems even harder sometimes. I was so excited that I missed the trail as it turned up into someone's yard, and had to back track yet a second time. By mid afternoon, I was standing at the Mass. /Vermont state line. Mass. had said goodbye with a mass of uphill rock climbing that taxed my stamina, one more state behind me. There was no welcome to Vermont sign, but rather the state welcomed me with biting bugs and muddy places in the trail that were ankle deep and tried to suck the boots off of my feet. There were plenty of slick muddy rocks to try to hike on and try to stay out of the muck, but whenever I placed my poles into the muck, they seemed to keep going, leaving me looking like a humpback old woman with too short hiking sticks. The weather forecast is calling for rain today and tomorrow, but I got to the shelter and got my tent set up under threatening skies. The temperature is still quite cool with the clouds moving in and the threat of rain. I welcome the cooler temperatures as those pesky little bugs like to soak up the sun as they soak up my blood. Total miles 13.2