Date: 2015-07-12
From: October Mountain Shelter, MA

To: Cheshire, MA
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Didn't last long in the shelter. I'm pretty sure both Whistle Tits and I were losing the battle against the mosquitoes as we shifted and rolled around on the floor of the shelter. I'm not sure how she managed to stick it out throughout the night, but I gave up after an hour. I retreated to a small opening behind the shelter, set up my tent, and slept soundly without the continuous onslaught of bugs. I woke up at 7:30am, quickly packing my gear thinking both Yoohoo and Rabbit had already hot the trail, but soon realized the only 2 tents around the shelter were theirs. We made small talk with the other hikers before heading off just before 8:30am. A final destination wasn't set, but we knew Dalton, MA waited ~12 miles away and with it lunch.A couple of miles after we began, we hit a road and took it 100 yards to the east to the home of the Cookie Lady & Man. Known for their cookies, as well as access to water soda, hardboiled eggs, and blueberries, we looked forward to a nice treat for breakfast. We soon realized, however, that the Cookie Lady was leaving just as we arrived to take a hiker into town. Not wanting to wait for her return, we rested for a bit, filled up on water and returned to the trail. Some ~3 miles later, though, we'd run into some more trail magic.Waiting at Blotz Road in a vehicle he rented from NYC for the week was Vultron, a former 2012 thru-hiker as well as 2015, but made it as far as New York before calling it quits due to a knee injury. Instead of immediately returning to his home in Naples, Florida, he instead rented a vehicle and has spent the last couple of weeks providing trail magic along the trail. Truly a way to give back to the trail that has given him so much. I enjoyed a Dr. Pepper and some junk food before thanking him and continuing on towards Dalton, MA, still ~6 miles away.We soon reached Warner Hill after a decent little time to get there. Having my brain in a state of mush after the climb, I blanked when Yoohoo asked if I wanted to check out the view. A posted sign read "Warner Hill 2050" which I interpreted as meaning 2,050ft away instead of our current elevation. Yoohoo had a good laugh and I told him to keep that between us. He shared it with Rabbit when he arrived moments later. Oh well. After this point we only had to scale Tully Mountain, a mere bump in the otherwise flat terrain of most of the day, before dropping into Dalton, MA. The most difficult part of the day would come in the form of marsh-like conditions along most of the trail, a strange thing atop a ~2,000ft ridge line. Hopping along rocks, logs, and elevated boards would be how we spent the majority of the morning. Both Yoohoo and Rabbit went nearly knee-high into mud - a reason I choose to remain 2nd or 3rd in line as we hike.Yoohoo and I entered Dalton ahead of Rabbit and we'd head to Angelina's Subs for lunch. Offering decently priced subs not lacking in meat or deliciousness, it's a solid go-to for hikers. While there a gentlemen would talk with Yoohoo and I regarding this and that and hiking the trail. He hoped to be able to do it in a few years after he retired. Our biggest piece of advice when asked about pre-trail planning? Forget all plans. Go with the flow and be open to change. It's what you'll get. After a 12" roast beef sub, a giant chocolate chip cookie, and 3 Coke's, we packed up to return to the trail. It was at this point we learned that Scott Jurek had become the new AT speed record holder ~30 minutes earlier. It's pretty cool I was able to meet him during his record-breaking performance. There's not a nicer man more deserving. Cheers, Scott.Yoohoo, Rabbit, and I found a church offering a free hostel ~9 miles ahead in Cheshire (chess-sure), MA and we were off to make it there before dark. Aside from more ankle-deep mud pits (1 which would claim me as I flipped over, but avoided the deepest part) the going would be easy as it was flat and downhill. A few miles in Yoohoo and I would stop along a power line clearing and each enjoy a 25oz Budweiser that we packed out after he surprised me with it earlier. We sat in the warmth of the sun and felt like kings for a few minutes. We covered the final ~3 miles into Cheshire, MA in an hour, discussing TV series, international travel, and the Civil War.We rolled into town and met Wilson and Huey, trail friends of Yoohoo who I've slowly gotten to know. They were sitting outside of an ice cream shop; I would grab a Coke and Gatorade and join them on a picnic bench outside. We relaxed for the next half hour enjoying our beverages and cat-calling at girls who passed, if only in our heads. As we began heading towards the St. Mary's Church, Safari strolled into town after another day of slackpacking. He has been completely spoiled the past couple of days, especially being able to slackpack, and we let him know. He said he'd be staying at the hostel tonight, but I haven't seen him here. He could be sleeping in another room, but I have no idea.We spread out our gear on the floor of a couple of small rooms in the church, offering the use of the bathrooms, power outlets, a roof over our heads, and an invitation to join church services when taking place- a kind group of people, for sure. We then walked several blocks tova pizzeria/pub for dinner, bit found out we were minutes too late. Luckily one place remained open for another hour, Bass Water Grill, and we'd walk the half mile to it. I highly suggest this place to hikers. The guide suggests it's a bit higher priced than it actually is, but we were surprised at the price and quantity (and quality) of food. I enjoyed a Reuben with fried, clam chowder, and several more Coke's. My only caution would be that the owner is a Patriots fan and team decor and pictures of Tom Brady can be seen along the walls. Enter at your own risk.After dinner we walked back to the church via the light of a cell phone, brushed our teeth, and settled in to bed. That is, however, everyone but me as I retreated to a small hallway in order to journal and avoid keeping the others awake. It's closing in on 12:00am as I sit against a wall, an open closet across from me with shelves stocked with toilet paper, bleach, cleaning supplies, a dust pan, and a yellow mop bucket most likely used to clean the bathroom next door as well as the rooms we're calling home for the night. Several hikers are snoring in the rooms around the corner from me and their sounds can be heard echoing through the large central room between us. Joy. Time to wrap this entry up so I can go join the ranks along the floor.The next couple of days bring the chance of rain, followed by a break, followed by more chances of rain so the weather will most likely influence my mileage coming up. The Vermont border awaits some ~20 miles away and, barring a holdup due to any weather, my next journal entry should come from there.Here's to mountaintop beers, a friend's birthday from back home, and Scott Jurek taking his place atop the record book - for now.