Date: 2003-08-22
From: Dalton, MA

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 11.0

Just a shortish entry today...I'm writing it a couple of days later. On the actual day in question, I was too exhausted to write anything for that day or the day before. I should never go into towns for any reason...towns are evil, and suck you in. I got up before 9, feeling not so hot. Viking had already gone a little while before. I took some motrin, got dressed and went to Cumberland Farms. I needed a couple of items for snacks, and reeeeally needed some coffee and breakfast. I got two large coffees, a breakfast biscuit and a chicken and cheese burrito. I felt better after I ate, and the coffee was definitely helping. I went back towards the inn, and heard someone call my name. Deacon Blues, Little Bear and Sci Girl were just getting into town. They hit the Java and Juice for their breakfast, and I sat and talked with them for a bit. A van drove by and someone hailed us. It was Espy, riding with Rob. More hikers were in the back, but I couldn't tell who it w!as. They were going to the post office, so we headed down there. Deacon Blues and the others were planning on trying to stay with Rob, as the inn was booked. At the post office, I found Espy, J.J. and Laffy Taffy. They had gotten a bus to Dalton the night before so they could pick up their mail drops. Then they were planning on going back and slacking into Dalton the next day. I made sure that Laffy Taffy promised to come see Gerri and Randy. I went back to the inn to get some of my stuff together, then did a store run for some things for Randy and Gerri. While there, I found Iceberg Slim and his girlfriend, Jess. They were getting ready to get a hitch to the top of Mount Graylock, to hike into North Adams. I told them to come down to the room to visit with us first. Laffy Taffy and J.J. had come and gone, now Slim and Jess were there. We were running a bit behind getting out of the room, mostly because the clock in the room was slow, and we didn't realize it. !We asked for a few more minutes, and they very rudely told us we needed to hurry up, as they had other people checking in. We got out as quickly as we could, and had our things on the porch. Moose stopped by for a minute, then he, Slim and Jess left. Randy and Gerri had to go mail a couple of things, and I was sitting with the packs, when a woman who worked at the inn came up to me. She told me that if we weren't staying there, we'd have to move on...we couldn't hang out. I explained to her that they were just at the post office, then we'd be going. She reiterated what she originally said, and was extremely rude. Apparently, hikers are allowed to spend money there, but then have to get the hell out. I do NOT recommend staying there...unless you enjoy being treated badly. It's too bad, because until that point in time, I thought it was a great place. Employers, make sure you know who's working for you...they can RUIN your business! We got away from there as soon as Randy and Gerri got back. We were on the Trail by noon, which was pr!etty good, coming out of a town. We were heading up, but it was a pretty, gentle, rolling climb. The weather was perfect...sunny, breezy...it felt almost like fall. I'm not ready for that permanently, yet, but it was a nice change from the humidity we'd had for several days. We stopped for a break after 5 miles, and were almost chilled after 15 minutes. Gerri started out ahead of us, and while we were packing up, another hiker approached us. I didn't recognize him till he got right up near us...I hadn't seen Circus since Daleville, VA. We talked with him for a few minutes, then left. Our next stop was the next town, Cheshire, where Blip had informed me we could get hot dogs and ice cream. The hike there continued to be fairly easy and quite pretty. I missed a good view, but Randy said he saw Mt. Graylock, our goal for tomorrow, as well as Cheshire. We sat for a bit at the new shop where we got milkshakes and mini hot dogs...yum! Viking joined us when he got into! town. We still had over 4 miles, mostly up, to get to the shelter, so we got our butts in gear. I didn't think we'd make it before dark, and it turned out that I was right. We found a great stealth site on an old trail, though, and set up camp. We had a quick dinner, and hit the hay...very tired!