Date: 2007-08-08
From: Cheshire, MA

To: Sherman Brook Campsite
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

I was up early and fixing breakfast in the kitchen of the church lower hall. I grabbed a cup of coffee and moved to the second hiker room here, which was unoccupied, and used the free time before 8 a.m. Mass, to journal. I could here Father Dave in the chapel, practicing his homily to an invisible audience.Scott eventually woke up and we walked to the chapel and silently took a seat. There weren't too many parishioners in attendance. Most were elderly and probably attend on a regular basis, which tends to be the norm at a weekday Mass. Father Dave entered the chapel to begin the Mass, and before he started he introduced Scott and I, indicating we were hiking the Appalachian Trail and welcomed us both to the Mass celebration. We were surprised at this unexpected welcome, yet grateful. The Mass celebration was quite beautiful and personal in this small setting, and I was very happy to be here and share in the Eucharist. I was longing for this for quite some time, and was grateful this opportunity presented itself.After Mass, we went over to Father Dave, thanked him for letting us stay there and he wished us well on our journey. Scott and I had talked quite a bit last night about our individual hiking goals. He mainly would like to hike the White Mtns. with someone and I need to make some time through the rest of Massachusetts and Vermont so I can slow down in New Hampshire and Maine. Since Scott has hiked most of MA and VT, he plans to take a bus to North Adams, MA or Bennington, VT and hike ahead of me. I will then eventually catch up hopefully when he reaches the Whites.We both left the hostel around 9:30, I continued on the AT through town, and Scott went to catch the bus. It had poured heavily last night and the grass on the trail through a cornfield on the edge of town was overgrown and wet, so I was soaked waist down right from the start. The big event of the day was the climb up Mount Greylock (3491 ft.). From Cheshire, it was pretty much a gradual uphill climb. The weather was cool with a cool breeze blowing near higher elevations which made for comfortable hiking. The trail was slightly muddy and I had to be careful about slippery rocks. I knew there would unfortunately be no views at the top of Greyock today due to the weather, and when I finally reached the summit, this was confirmed. There was a heavy fog hanging in the air and a strong wind blowing. This year and next year the roads leading up to the mountain are being repaved and as a result, the mountain is closed to all vehicles and the lodge is closed. I couldn't even get water let alone a cup of coffee which would have been nice today. The place was deserted aside from a few day hikers and later two thru hikers.I spent some time having a snack and then started the six mile hike down the north side into North Adams, MA. The hike down was a bit frustrating as I slipped a few times on slippery rocks and mud and narrowly avoided injuring myself. By the time I walked into North Adams, the sun was out and I was relieved to be off the mountain.It was still early and I was hoping to grab a meal here. I found out there was a Friendly retaurant supposedly a quarter of a mile down the road. Well after almost a mile walk I found it. I had no complaints though, after enjoying a great "off the trail" meal. Ater dinner I still had enough daylight to walk north another 2 miles to a campsite. I am camping here tonight with a thru hiker couple, "Cheeks" and "Steps Little".