Date: 2006-09-17
From: Almost Seth Warner Shelter

To: MA 2, Williamstown, MA
Miles today: 8.4

As I am drifting off to sleep last night, I heard the call of a wolf or coyote. I'm not sure which animal resides in New England, but its call is beautiful. I think I have also heard this animal run by my campsite from time to time, including last night. I had mentioned this to Chris yesterday and he told me that they do come and check things out. It never scares me, but I wish that I could see the animal at some point.I wake up this morning in the clouds. It wasn't cold last night and really isn't cold this morning, which is good because that means I am less likely to stay tucked into my sleeping bag. Everything is damp though. I hate putting away wet stuff because I usually forget to take it out and let it dry which means mildew stench. But it has to be done. Tomato soup for breakfast, change out the inserts in my shoes and hit the trail. I am so glad that I stopped and camped where I did. The trail is muddy, rocky, rooty, and would have been absolutely gruesome hiking last night in the dark. Try as I might to avoid the muck, my feet get wet. I honestly think there is more mud in this 20 mile stretch of VT than in all of ME! Despite the ick, it's turning out to be a nice day and I can't wait for my third state border crossing. I hope there is someone there to take my picture. This milestone and knowing I will be meeting up with Courtenay today quickens my step. However, I am not as fast as the 10 or so college age kids that pass me trail running. Of course they are not carrying 30 pound packs.There is a couple from NY having lunch at the state border and they gladly take my picture and I take theirs. They are hiking the AT where it crosses states and plan to string together all of their border pictures. Just four miles to go to the road. There is a terrible rock slide to descend and then its easy coasting to the road following the Sherman Brook. The trail comes out of the woods and passes through someone's yard and driveway. Then it follows the road for a tenth of a mile or so and then turns and crosses the Hoosic River. Some hikers had told me that Courtenay would be waiting for me at the end of the bridge and she was. I am happy to see her and hoped she had not been waiting long. She said she had been there for a while but it was all good because she had grading to do - she's a 7th and 8th grade math teacher. She invites me to her house for lunch and then says she will slack pack me or we can go tubing. Holy cow! I was just talking about tubing with Bluebird the other day. While we eat, we map out a plan for slackpacking the next few days and then Drew, her husband, drives us to the river to tube. At first the water feels cold, but I'm game for it. Ahhh, so relaxing! Courtenay and I catch up on what has been going on since we met in Glencliff as we coast down the river. She tells me that she just missed me several times when she was out doing some day hikes and that she had met other people who had met me and referred to me as "gaitor girl" because I wear gaitors over my shoes. I had no idea people were paying such close attention to my feet!Anyway, school just started for her about a week ago and I am reminded of my friends back home who have just finished up four and a half weeks. It is a reminder too, that summer is over and she is grateful that she got in one last float down the river and I am grateful that I arrived on such a perfect day for floating. There are even small rapids on this pretty shallow river which add to the excitement of the float. Nothing like the Ocoee or Nantahala where the rapids are named and you need a guide, but just enough to get you splashed and bobbing up and down. We reach the end point of the ride where the Green River joins the Hoosic River and the water gets really cold. I am trying to get over to the shore, but the current pushes me away. I spend a few minutes kicking and paddling the float before I realize that the water is actually shallow enough for me to stand and walk to shore. At the same time, there is a German Shepherd dog attacking another tiny dog. I can't see what is going on from where I am in the river, but Courtenay and a guy on shore fishing see the whole thing. The owner of the German Shepherd finally gets the dog under control and on a leash and the little dog runs off apparently not too harmed. Courtenay and I walk back to her house. I tell ya, this is the life. If I lived this close to a river that I could tube, I'd totally be doing it every day of the summer!We get cleaned up and throw our clothes in the laundry and just chill for a little while; Courtenay working on lesson plans and me on my journals. Drew's daughter, Avery, is cooking eggplant parmesan for dinner and it smells delicious. Drew, also a teacher - history, has this odd project he is working on. He is building a ball with a 15 foot circumference out of flexible tubing and ground tarps. At first, it is just he and Avery working outside to measure the pieces of tarp, but then he recruits Courtenay and me. It's quite the project and I can't wait to see it completed. The idea is based on some politiical campaign propaganda of the 1840's and is related to the idiom, "keep the ball rolling." I think this ball is just going to be used to support enthusiasm at the Homecoming pep rally. I suggest he make this a class assignment thus integrating history and math curriculums.We leave the ball fabrication project to enjoy dinner. Avery is an excellent cook and this hiker gets her fill of eggplant parmesan, steamed squah, bread, brownies and maple pecan ice cream. Man, I am really starting to enjoy this hiker appetite! After dinner, I call home just to check in and share all the good stuff going on and am delighted that my sister is their to share in the news as well. She had gone over to my parents house to enjoy a dip in the pool and to look at old childhood treasures my mom had pulled out of the attic. I think they are both "nesting" as the arrival of Pollywog draws near. And, there is going to be a lot of things to "nest" with as mom saved just about everything from our childhood and Courtney is having five, yes five, showers thrown for her! Pollywog is one anticipated baby!Well, not long after chatting with the folks, we all turn in. Courtenay is going to slackpack me tomorrow, but that means leaving the house at 6:15 on her way to work. I hope I have good weather for good views tomorrow!