Date: 2010-06-02
From: Kay Wood Lean-to

To: Birdcage, Dalton MA
Miles today: 3.3

1 CPR Forgot to mention that yesterday at Oct Mtn Shelter, the day hiker reported seeing 2 large Moose (Meese or Mooses?) nearby that left probably as I hiked by the first time When I left the second time I also noticed a lot of fresh moose scat.2 Report Went to bed late but slept well. Was up on average time and treated myself to a hot mocha for breakfast, since I was going to town later in the day. I was kinda shocked when Almost There had to explain to our section hikers that it really wasn¢t a good idea to wash your dishes in the spring. Almost There left a little before me and I took my time taking some pictures of the sunbeams thru the forest. Could have really used a tripod this am for that. I got into town and stopped at the local java caf©, where Almost There was outside eating and gearing up. After all these warm days, he must be expecting some cold nights because he had a 12 pint to take out the nighttime chill. We said goodby and I was off to Rob¢s Birdcage, a great place for thru-hikers. Rob also owns several Shell stations so here is my plug: (My local mechanic in Texas warns about dirty gas in the area in recommends every third tank of gas be Shell hi-test. The mileage on my pickup has improved from 16-18 to 18-20 mpg). After a shower and laundry, I went to the General Store for a practice lunch. Had a very good turkey sub, chips, German potato salad and a pint of Ben & Jerry¢s. Returned to the Birdcage and was able to get an appt with chiropractor to check out my neck and shoulder. He confirmed its not a rotator cuff injury and said for it to stop hurting, I need to stop hiking. Okay, after another 1000 miles first. Also was able to get some more pills for backup water purification.I was hoping to see Miss Step, nee Fluffy Bunny, tomorrow but got a note she would be unable to make it. So, I¢ve now started making alternate near-term plans that look like this: slack pack to N Adams tomorrow and hike S back to Dalton. Friday stop at Cheshire PO (My Steripen is still on the blink, I called their tech support, and they¢re mailing me a new one to Cheshire on Fri) and then back up to N Adams to continue hiking NOBOI¢m in the library now filing this report and checking out other matters. I¢ll then have dinner, take photos of local UMC and then maybe attend the Dalton Carnival (doubt that its anything like Rio though)Attire: When I started this year, I was fully clothed and protected. Heavy leather boots (that Rocksylvania destroyed the toes), one pair of heavy socks, 2 pair liner socks, 2 pair medium socks, long trousers, knee high gaiters, nylon shorts, nylon T-shirt, long-sleeve cotton shirt, fingerless gloves, Texas bandana around neck and surf hat ( ball cap with French Foreign legion type cape on the neck). I was totally covered and protected for everything except my fingertips. I was also hot as the blazes. I was drinking 6 liters of water and 2 liters of Gatorade a day and still not fully hydrated. My clothes were perpetually soaked. So, now I¢m hiking in much cooler attire: shorts and a nylon shirt. Very little of the hiking has been in open territory: an occasional meadow, mountain summit, or road crossing. The vast majority has been under heavy canopy of trees or down in the valley. I¢ll see how this works over the next several days.Life is Great!