Date: 2006-08-04
From: Salisbury, CN

To: Laurel Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: light rain

Today we reached the highest point in Connecticut and within half a mile crossed into Massachusetts. Ten states down, four to go. We have also passed the 2/3 point.We all felt better from the rest and a break in the weather. Overnight and into the morning as we ate breakfast, a series of storms brought temps in the 70s with somewhat lower humidity. After lunch, when the front had completely moved through, we enjoyed a much dryer and cooler air mass. As I journal, the sky is crystal clear; it may go to the low 60s tonight.The low miles we did today recognized that we didn't want to do 20+ miles and there weren't many alternatives that will allow us to stay at Upper Goose Pond which is a legendary shelter. We also plan to stay at the hostel at the inn atop Mt. Greylock, Massachusetts' highest point.There have been two pretty large ascents: one this morning and another this afternoon. At 11am we reached Lion's Head after an ascent of 800+ feet. There was a great view; and a group of young leapfroggers who were slacking, Pedro, Mr. Mcgruff, and Geezer, took our pictures there. Later, I took a picture for Teddy, her sister Little Girl, complete with "official" eyepatch, and their mother who enabled the slackpack. We had run into this group in Salisbury.Then it was on to lunch at Brassie Brook Leanto where we again ran into the slackers without Little Girl and GirlsMother. We arrived as they were leaving. This shelter is much improved. It has picnic tables and a normal floor without the pit near the opening, a welcome return to normal. After a leisurely lunch, we climbed another 550' to reach the summit of Bear Mountain, the highest point in CN. The FDOM enjoyed a long break atop the monument, a stone platform, built at the summit. It had cleared further and their was a fresh breeze to accompany the 360* views.The descent was very steep requiring hands and feet to climb down the rocks in places. We entered Sages Ravine, a never-logged area with beautiful hemlocks along a nice stream in a ravine. At the end of the ravine was the official "entering Massachusetts" sign and a photo op. From there it was just a short way to this campsite. We reached here at 4:00pm and had our pick of the tent pads. The first order of business was to set up camp. Then it was off to fetch water.There is a very good spring. In addition to filling up on drinking water, I filled the water bag for a sponge bath which felt wonderful. I washed out my hiking shirt and briefs and am hoping they will dry overnight rather than become wet with dew.Then, I was ready to cook and joined Veto to share my gravy as we both were having four cheese mashed potatoes and the gravy packet makes too much for one. We considered Bigfoot's suggestion that we go on to see the nearby waterfall, but we decided to wait until the morning as we'll pass by it on the trail and the light will be better for photos.After dinner, I realized it was still quite early and filled my water bottle for overnight. Shortly after, as I was changing into the boxer shorts I use for pj's, JohnnyK walked into camp and struck up a conversation as I hung halfway out the door of my tent. We had a brief talk. He is going to do some big mile days to make up for some zeros he plans to take as he's nearing home turf in NH.After that, I started my journal then realized I soon needed to call the Gyro picnic where I am being installed in effigy and in absentia as club president for the coming year. I called and arranged to call Chuck back a half hour later at 8:00pm for the swearing-in. Gyro is a "fraternity of friendship" with clubs in cities throughout the US and Canada. For the "in effigy" part, Carol had placed the less formal portrait my sister painted of me on an easel and added a shirt, tie, trousers and shoes from my closet. The current club president, Chuck, had this effigy under a sheet, unveiling it at 8:00pm as Bob, the District President, swore me in. I'm looking forward to the District convention in late October in Canton OH as one of my first official duties.That complete, I'm finishing up my journal by headlamp as it gets dark. Signing off at 8:45pm as "hiker midnight" (darkness) descends.Onward to Maine!