Date: 2008-08-09
From: Chesthire, MA

To: North Adam, MA
Miles today: 14.6

I was ready to shoulder my pack and continue the trail, but Eva said that if we preferred, her gardener could drive our packs and we could slack pack to the next town. This was what we thought was going to be the first of many tall mountains.  As it turned out the trail was not near as difficult as I imagined. It was a gradual ascent from 1000 to 3500 feet, but over eight miles. This makes such a difference in the enjoyment of the hike. Came upon one small pond that had a picturesque wooden cabin. There were still the mud puddles but the trail peaked at a hill. When I came upon the apex it was like entering a cathedral. The tall pine trees here had large diameter clear of limbs trunks that rose to lofty heights like columns in a medieval church. The branches overhead were sparse enough to allow filtered sunlight to reach the green ferns covering the forest floor. I could almost hear a Bach fugue playing. The top of Mt Greylock at 3491 feet has a monument dedicated to Massachusetts war veterans. It looked like the dark tower from The Lord of the Rings. There is also a Bascom Lodge built of stone. All of these were closed because they were resurfacing the road. The road will be closed until 2009! The trail has been kept open. So instead of sharing this beautiful mountain with hoards of visitors, we had a peaceful look at this monument. There was a quote engraved on a stone that I would like to share that says why we are walking the AT: "It were as well to be educated in the shadow of a mountain as in more classic shade.  Some will remember, no doubt, not only that they went to college, but that they went to the mountain.¢          Henry David ThoreauBecause of all the construction, it took us a while to find the trail down from the top, but when in doubt follow the main foot traffic. While on top, I thought I was going to enjoy a ham and cheese sandwich I had gotten the day before. When I unwrapped it, it was a soggy mess and slathered with mayonnaise that I had not ordered. No way was I going to eat it, but Raccoon had no problem with consuming it. So here I was again hiking on six crackers. As I was about halfway down, I came upon a multiple family with two small babies enjoying a picnic. They were from Belgium. I must have longingly looked at the food, because almost immediately they offered me a sandwich. Trail angels can come from anywhere. I very much enjoyed talking with Emily, Teboune and their friends. They were very curious of my hike. Thank you for the food that gave me the energy. I hope they have a good vacation here.  It was supposed to be a steep descent down into North Adam, but it really wasn't that difficult. The trail goes right through a peaceful residential area. Nicely planned, the trail went close (.5 mile) to a motel that had a good grocery store and excellent restaurant just across the street. It sure is nice when you don't need to get transportation into town. At the same motel, Raccoon and his wife Lipstick were staying.  Again she offered to drive packs to Bennington. It is a way to make some miles. The trail is a lot about people.   Fly Right,Ravon