Date: 2014-07-10
From: Shaker Campsites

To: October Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: clear sky

Slept great and on trail quickly. Julie doing well despite blisters and miles done yesterday. Our big concern at this time is trying to locate the parking lot where she left her car the other day. We got to Jerusalem Road which Julie remembers being near by and thought the car might be, but it wasn't so we moved on. A mile later we got to Main Road and there it was! Julie was so overjoyed I think for a moment she forgot about her blisters. We then drove into Pittsford for a big breakfast at Otto's. I'm telling you I have had a lot of breakfasts throughout this hike and this one topped all of the rest. It was a great meal with awesome portions, great quality and at a very fair price. We then made a pit stop at Price Chopper so I could get some resupply items and of course on our way out of town we made one final stop at Dunkin Donuts where I had a mocha coolata with an extra shot figuring this would get me started up any hill without a doubt. Back at the trail head parking lot we were just unloading when who should appear but Brave. Julie ended up giving her a ride into town so she could get a bite to eat. Its all about timing in this game and now Julie was an official Trail Angel providing Trail Magic. the 900 foot climb up Baldy Mountain was steep but nicely graded and with the extra turbo made in no time at all. I passed upper Goose Pond where there was suppose to be an really cool cabin and place to swim and canoe. I thought about stopping in but still had 9 miles to go and it was 2 pm. I crossed over I-90 and took some pics. It once again blows my mind to think how close I am to Albany and home if I just hopped on this interstate and headed home I would be there in about 4 to 5 hours. I took some pictures and after crossing found a nice comfortable place to stop for a rest and some lunch in the shade. I ate the rest of my egg sandwich that I had made from my leftovers from Otto's. I got to talk to my wife Laura which always gives me a boost and about me coming home for my Grandson Elliott's 1st birthday. This little fella has just opened up a new world and with his brother Gavin I am so blessed to have these two in my life. Another climb and only 700 foot to the top of Mount Becket. It was kind of tough as more and more roots and rocks are beginning to appear and are being peppered with large mud bogs here and there. Massachusetts has a much different terrain than Connecticutt had. While bouncing along I came across Bear Juice who I had last seen in PA. It so amazing when you cross paths with someone you haven't seen in a while and then they just show up. I had forgot to get water at the last stream and was running low when i finally found some. I wasn't sure what would be at the next shelter where I was headed so I made sure I loaded up on enough that would get me there and if needed through the night and part of the next morning. Fortunately when I did get to the shelter there was water there. Yeah! With darkness approaching I set up my tent, filtered water and ate dinner. It was getting late so I was only able to do a little journaling and I was tired anyways and would catch up on it tomorrow. Oconee caught up as well as Brave, but she was going to move on as she likes to hike late into the day. Pokey a section hiker is here along with Papa D and Matt another section hiker I met earlier in the day. there are clear skies this evening and I am going with out my tent fly. Off to bed after another great day and feeling good.