Date: 2012-07-31
From: Mt. Greylock

To: County Road
Miles today: 13.5

All up and off to Grandma's Pies and Restaurant for breakfast. We had to convince Pitchit to go with us...a pie restaurant and he didn't want to go??? What's up with that? Well, he went and we all had great breakfasts. Back at the hotel, we packed the car and left Pitchit there to catch his shuttle to the airport. We were sad to see him go as we always are when friends come to see us. He was great company for SOS and did big miles! THANKS PITCHIT!! Back to the trail from Albany to the top of Mt. Greylock.We had trouble figuring out exactly where the trail was but finally got SOS off for another day of hiking. Juanita (ATM) and I hung around until we were sure SOS didn't need us anymore and then we started down the mountain...one more time. We drove to Pittsfield to try and find the Amtrak station...found out there isn't one but the bus station lady was very helpful on how to get information about the train. It actually does leave from Pittsfield everyday but it has moved out to the edge of town and you have to reserve your ticket online. This is how ATM is getting home one of these days. Back to Dalton where we stopped at the Java Juice for iced tea and then on to the Laundromat. Very pleasant surprise there!! Nice laundry with washer for $1.50...cheapest for a long time. Nice people there and comfortable seating so we put our loads in and I knitted while ATM worked on her embroidery. SOS changed the pickup time from 3:30 to 6:15!! Not sure what happened there but we decided to head for the spot early...SOOOOOO glad that we did!! Edith Chloe got us on a dead end road which wasn't marked...it was a 1 or maybe a -1 road...narrow, dirt, potholes, no traffic,no state maintainance, and it just stopped...so did we! We turned around and prayed that the man in the pick up truck that we had passed a ways back was still there. He was and when we stopped by his truck he said..."you are lost, aren't you?" We agreed...he tried to tell us what we needed to do and then said...I will just take you there! It was about 8-10 miles but we just followed him. He seemed to know everyone and waved to several people we passed on this new road...still dirt, narrow, and potholes. We got to the trail head spot!! We took his picture with his dog, Mr. Field, hugged him and thanked him profusely for helping us out. I will post his picture when I can get the pictures transferred. (I am in a library and can't get on the internet with my computer so am using the library one) This was a scary thing for me since I don't know how I would have found out how to get on the right road and find SOS if David Tatro(TRAIL ANGEL EXTRAORDINAIRE)hadn't helped us out! I am trying not to think about future days...Before SOS arrived here came a SOBO named Captain Crunch. ATM and I sprang into action and supplied him with food and drink...then along came 3 of his friends, D-Train, Truth, and Jet Boil. We gave them the same and then along came Zen. All were very polite young men who were grateful for the drinks and food. We talked a little while and off they went except for Zen. In a little bit we could hear SOS doing his yahoo noise and he appeared shortly after! He got to meet all the SOBO's. I drove us all back down the -1 road but went the way David suggested. We were headed for Williamstown to my cousin's house for the evening. We arrived a little after 7pm. Cousin Tom and wife Judy greeted us and showed SOS to the shower...no hugs for them! (Smart people!) When he was ready, we all went for a nice dinner at a nearby local restaurant. The food and company were both great! Back at their house, we had dessert which was a pie we bought from Grandma's Pie shop this morning...it was yummy..five fruit..strawberry, apple, raspberry, rhubarb and blueberry! We talked, caught up a little on family news, looked at pictures and then off to bed! THANKS, TOM AND JUDY, FOR BEING SUCH GOOD HOSTS! Road Name of the Day: RISKY RANCH ROAD - Dave found this one also and we all liked the way it sounded...try it 3 times fast!