Date: 2003-07-08
From: Dalton MA Zero Day

To: Mt Greylock (Bascum Lodge)
Miles today: 17.0

Day 117 Avg Mls/Day 13.4Weather: Warm and humid (95%) Some sun and some breeze...not too miserable. High in mid 80'sToday's Nature: Not much in the way of animals. Wild blueberries are beginning to ripen along the Trail.Falls: Today 0 Total 4Another decent hike considering we were climbing most of the day. It started out a little tentative. As soon as we walked outside we could feel the humidity. Kind of made you believe thunderstorms were in store for the day. A brief thunder shower did pass through early evening. It actually felt better hiking as the day went on.Charlie and I sat on the steps at Duff & Dells waiting for them to open at 6. For less than 5 bucks you get 2 eggs, bacon, hash browns, toast, coffee and 15 ounce OJ. A lot of locals eat here too, although we were the only hikers.Went back to the room, got our gear and hit the Trail out of town by 7. Before taking off, Charlie and I attached some of the dryer sheets sent to us by Gretch and Mike. I guess they saw Mom's guest entry telling us how good they are at keeping pests away. Well, we were not bothered by mosquitoes today, but I don't think they were really around for some reason. We'll try the sheets again when the bugs come out.Charlie mentioned he had seen Ranger Rick leaving town earlier. We had a little trouble finding the Trail as it followed High St out of town. High st dead ended with a big tree between it and where the Trail left State route 8. The map in the book was not to scale and made it appear as though High Street met route 8. We only walked a block or so past before we came back and found it.The Trail climbed gradually about 1,000' the first 4 miles, then dropped down the next 2 miles before passing through the corner of the town of Cheshire MA. We ran into Ranger Rick who wasn't too happy as he had missed High St and walked a half mile the wrong direction.Charlie stopped by the Post Office in Cheshire to pick up his shoes and we all ended up 2 doors down at "Treats"... a sandwich/ice cream shop. I had a Coke, sloppy jo, smoothie and a root beer float. A great stop and fairly inexpensive. She also filled our water bottles with spring water for free. (Oh yeah, thanks Rosemary for the cookies in Charlie's shoes...we had to help him eat them so he didn't have too much extra weight.)After Cheshire, the Trail gained approximately 2,500' in 8 miles to Mt Greylock (3,491'), the highest point in MA. Although Ranger Rick, Charlie and I weren't that far apart, we did hike separately in the afternoon. The assent was not all that bad...I really did not feel tired and only stopped for a couple of short breaks. Made pretty good time and arrived at the Bascum Lodge on Mt Greylock shortly after 3. I got a lemonade and waited outside for Charlie. While waiting, a fellow aspiring to hike the AT who is about my age asked me a lot of questions about my gear and the hike so far.Next to the lodge atop Greylock is a stone tower crowned by a globe, lit at night as a tribute to the state's war dead. I went to walk the 89 steps to the top, but got there after it closed at 5 o'clock.After checking in, got a nice hot shower. Shortly thereafter, Drifter and Ranger Rick dropped by to shot the breeze. Drifter and I met way back in the first couple of hundred miles. We have since met up a few times and he has been close behind me ever since...no more than a week apart. One option Charlie, Ranger Rick and I elected was dinner in the dining hall at 6 pm for $16. It was very good and worth it. Two soups, salad, pork chop or salmon, rice nedley, corn, fresh baked bread, lemonade, coffee and desert. I think that's 4 days in a row I've showered, slept in a bed and eaten a prepared meal out.Thought for the Day: Don't forget about all of those cold, rainy, miserable nights in the shelters.