Date: 2003-08-05
From: Dalton

To: Cheshire, Mass
Miles today: 9.5

A late night as we ate pancakes and drank real coffee. 19 hikers in the Cabin but most of them had come early, were anti-social and had occupied the bunks. Floor space was all that remained for ¢Hiker Trash¢. Today is for Nicky Fanning, Marcia and all the Fanning family, remembering John, his Dad, and Peg. Rising early, I helped Peggy get the kitchen in order. She taught me how to make the pancake mix and cook them on the hotplate. Pancakes and coffee for everybody. Some were taking a Zero day and going boating on the lake (Pond). Bull and Skittles wanted me to stay but the ¢Wanderer¢ within wanted to hit the Trail. At 9 I eventually was ready to hike. The morning was cloudy and soon the rain came down. For 2 hours I walked in the heavy rain, climbing up Becket Mountain (2,180). Then the rain stopped and the forest was beautiful in the sunshine and raindrops from the trees. The ground underfoot was wet and boggy as we skirted ponds and beaver dams. The bloody mozzies were awful. I ate a quick lunch and made my way to October Mountain Shelter. I met many Southbounders with stories from way up North and telling me where to stay and what was on offer in each town. Nearly all young college kids who are hiking south. At least, that¢s my impression so far. Most of them would have left on May 24th when the Park opens; some of the very fit ones left around June 10th. 2.2 miles through more swamps and bugs I came to a main road where I stopped at a house for water. It was a Blueberry farm, so I loaded up with vitamin B. Here I met a young couple called ¢Fly by Night¢, a pilot and ¢Smoothie¢, who is in the advertising business. We walked and chatted all the way to the Kay Wood Shelter, where I had intended staying, but we made such good time and the thunder and rain had passed over that I walked another 3 miles to Dalton. We got lodgings with Tom le Vardi, who offers his lawn and garage to weary hikers but this week he is in residence and takes the hikers inside. Showered and cleaned up, my 2 new friends and I went to a nearby ¢Red Sox¢ pub for dinner and 2 beers. It was heaven. Back at Tom¢s house we watched TV and were served huge helpings of ice cream. There are 2 very nice Southbounders here also. I slept on the floor with blanket and pillow provided. Another 20.6 miles today and the new boots are fine, even in the wet conditions. I am feeling well and looking forward to the challenge of New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. Day 117 Tuesday 5th AugustUp early as usual, I did a little writing while waiting for the others to surface. Tom, ¢Stringer¢, one of the Southbounders from Alabama, Smoothie and Fly and I all went out for breakfast. A great meal of eggs, sausage, toast and good coffee for $5. Tom took us to the Laundromat where I washed all my worldly possessions plus my sleeping bag. Then he took me to the Post Office where I retrieved the water sweetener you posted, John, to Port Clinton. While in Kent, I asked them to forward the package to Dolton. It was great speaking with Mary and getting an update on home news. I did some shopping and as usual bought too much. 11.30 I was ready to leave town. The day was ¢heavy as lead¢ with humidity hitting high Do. And, yes, you guessed it, another climb up Crystal Mt. to Gore Pond (2,050). The heat and the bugs were getting to me. I was as ¢wake as a Trathnin¢ and could understand why come people quit the Trail up here. Smoothie and Fly went past. They, too, were on the ropes!! Nothing for it only keep the head down and putting one foot slowly past the other. Every mile was one nearer to Maine. I know I would not go far today but it was important to keep going. Looking back, I suppose, there were many days like this. But I knew that things would be different tomorrow. Around 4 I walked slowly into Cheshire, Mass. And met Fly and Smoothie. They were tired and debating whether to go on to the next shelter some 4.4 miles away. I decided to stay at St. Mary¢s Catholic Church where hikers are made welcome. I had Fr. McAulliffe Hall to myself. I was barely 20 minutes in the place when the heavens opened. I had made the right decision, even if I only walked 9.5 miles today. I went out to supper at Christine¢s Restaurant. Ordered a massive lasagne and Coca Cola and back to the hostel. Again the rain came down and it poured for hours. My friends must have got a washing on the Mountain. An old parishioner came around and took me to the store where I got some bread and a 2-litre bottle of Coke. I read a little and wrote a little. Seamus is wondering how I get to walk with all the writing!! The local priest met me when I arrived and while he was ¢all smiles¢ and welcoming, he never asked me if I had a mouth!! I suppose it¢s a ¢cultural difference¢. By 9 I was sleeping, while outside the rain poured down. The Trail would be wet tomorrow as I was about to climb the highest point in Massachusetts, Mt. Greylock (3,491). Today was for Gene, Delia and all the Kelly family in Melbourne.