Date: 2005-08-05
From: Mark Noepal Shelter

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: haze

Shelter sleeping still doesn't agree with me. I tossed and turned all night and finally got up around 4:15. I figured if I headed out I would get to Mt. Greylock to catch the sunrise. I ate and packed quickly and off went. I hadn't done any night hiking for awhile so this was enjoyable. It was getting lighter as I approached Mt. Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts, and it looked to be a good day. I arrived at the lodge area around 6:00 and was looking around when I heard someone say my name. It was Longhaul, from way back in the early days!Longhaul, with a grin, "Guess who I have with me?"Me, knowing exactly whom he meant, "Where is she!"Longhaul, "In the bunkhouse, but she's still asleep"Me, laughing, "No she isn't."Longhaul, quizically, "Have you already seen her?"Me, smiling, "No, but she won't be asleep when I wake her!" He laughed and off to the bunkhouse, which is a converted garage, I went. If you haven't guessed by now Break is here. I knew she was jumping up, the question was where. Longhaul was jumping ahead also because he had a knee injury early on and was going to have to do a flip flop. I got to the bunkhouse and hesitated for just a second. In all the mornings Break and I were together I never had to wake her up. Sure, I would be up first, but I always waited till she stirred. She wasn't a real late sleeper on the trail so no big deal. I really didn't know what her reaction would be to being woken. I knew Free's and if you did it wrong you paid the price, big time. I walked in and saw her. She was the only one left and she was asleep. I sat next to her and nudged her leg. Her eyes opened slowly, blinked, and it took a couple of seconds for her to realize who it was. I laughed when she did, and at her expression. With an early morning groan she said she thought I was ahead of her. I told her I would have been if I had not zeroed in Dalton. She then looked at me and asked what time it was. I told her and she flopped back down onto the pillow and told me I get up to early. I laughed and told her to go back to sleep and that I would see her in awhile. Way back in Waynesboro, she told me that we would see each other again. I was a little doubtful then and a lot more doubtful when she got off because of her injury. Funny how things work. It wouldn't have happened if I had not zeroed in Dalton. The funny thing is that the zero in Dalton was a spur of the moment decision! From there I headed to the view area thinking that Longhaul would be there. He wasn't, but Che and Peanut were, waiting for the sun to come over the mountain. I sat with them and watched a great sunrise. So far this day was turning out to be an excellent one! I went back to the lodge where I saw Longhaul and Socks. We talked and waited for Break. Socks headed out and Break appeared a little before eight. She is doing real low miles because of the foot and I joined them today. It was a nice day and we fell back into the same pattern we always had from day one. Break in front, me behind her. Longhaul was behind me. She kept asking if I wanted to go ahead but I was perfectly content where I was. We walked and we talked. She filled me in on her six week sabbatical for her injury and I talked of where everyone was and how they were doing. We got caught in a quick rainstorm just outside of North Adams. Another one of those kind where it rains just long enough to get you soaked. A little while after it stopped we came to a nice rock outcropping with a great view. The sun was back out and we settled down to rest and dry out some. After a bit Longhaul and I decided to move on. We weren't far from our goal for the day and Longhaul was talking about a campfire tonight so he wanted to get there a little early. Break said she would be along shortly. Longhaul and I moved on and about three miles later we crossed into Vermont. 11 states down! 3 to go! We took pictures and I told him I was going to wait for Break because I wanted to get her picture at the border. He moved on and I sat down to read my book till she got there. I read and read and read. If I had known that Break secretly wanted to be an ant trainer I would have not waited as long! When she got there she explained that she was trying to train the ants to do things by using crumbs and had lost track of time. She said they didn't take to training to well. I just looked at her and shook my head. And I thought I had been in the woods to long! I got her picture and off we went for the last couple of miles. Stilts caught up with us and when we got to the shelter Longhaul and Socks were there. We all set up camp, not a one of was staying in the shelter, ate, and had a great evening sitting near the fire and talking. Seeing Break again, entering a new state, all in the same day. Doesn't get much better than that!