Date: 2003-07-17
From: Shaker Campsite

To: October Mountain Lean-to 
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept pretty good last night. There seemed to be a breeze blowing, making it good sleeping weather. If I wasn't concerned about rain, I probably would've had a wonderful night's sleep. I didn't want to get up this morning though. A little past 7, I made myself get up. Oh well. There will be plenty of time for sleep... down the road.I had a nice hike today. The short day yesterday really helped me out. It always does. Hotdog and I planned the last 4 days, and the two coming up, so that we would make it to Cheshire before PO closes on Saturday. It looks like it will work out just fine. Today, though, we nearly changed the 'schedule' drastically.We got to Upper Goose Pond around 12:30 or 1. Lunchtime. We sat on the edge of the pond, enjoying the cool breeze and clouds drifting through the blue sky. I could smell the water from the pond, and like that smell much better than saltwater. There is a cabin on Upper Goose Pond that hikers can stay at, and the caretaker, Hiker Grampie, makes pancakes in the morning. Both Hotdog and I know Grampie from at-l (internet mailing list). During lunch break I started doing some figuring: "We could stop at the cabin, and do 20 into Dalton tomorrow, then get a ride to Cheshire Saturday morning for maildrops. OR, we could do 17 to the shelter before Dalton tomorrow, and go in early Saturday and get a ride to Cheshire." Hmmm... the wheels were turning. Hotdog pondered the maps and guidebooks. We made no decision. Yet. Added to what we already knew, we met a man and his two sons on the trail, and the father told us the cabin was very nice. Hmmm... We hiked on. Less than ! a half mile later, it was time. We were at the blue-blaze trail to the cabin. I left the decision up to Hotdog, as I couldn't make up my mind, and didn't have a strong preference either way. We stood there, at the trail crossing. Then we were headed north on the AT once again. I was happy with that. After all, it as a beautiful day for hiking, with a decent breeze and cool temperatures (maybe 80).Soon, we came to pedestrian bridges over the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). For some reason, I like going over interstates. I like to try to make the truckers honk. Today, I couldn't even try, as I saw no trucks! However, one car honked anyway. Yeah! Hotdog informed me that there was a big sign on the bridge: "Appalachian Trail". When I go over those bridges, I feel... different. Special. And in the car that honked was someone that knew that, that knows what it means to be going over Interstate 90 as a hiker.It's interesting hiking in Massachusetts. Most of the time, we hike on the top of mountains, but the tops are so wide, and there are swamps, so it seems like we are lower in elevation. We're not too high, 1500-2000 ft usually, but not what I think of when I think of swamps (4 ft).Hotdog asked me how many people I thought would be in this shelter when we arrived. I guessed 2 and he guessed 6. Unbelievably, again, there was no one else here! We must be between groups of northbounders or something. And the frequency of southbounders isn't great enough to see every day. Still, it's strange to have shelters to ourselves. It's nice too, though, as I don't have to worry about getting in anyone's way or waking someone if I get up in the night, etc. The mosquitos keep me company. They are so nice!I've heard rumors of porcupines coming to shelters too, and in this shelter, there is a copy of an article about porcupines. Maybe I should have read it. I'll reserve that hindsight judgenment for the morning. I guess if one comes up to my bunk, I'll just remember to pet him the right way, and not piss him off.Ahh... company has arrived. No, not porcupines! Two SOBOs: Cephas and Smokey. Time to be social.