Date: 2016-07-18
From: Kay Woods Shelter

To: MA 8 Cheshire, MA
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

I didn't sleep that well partly because of the hard wood bunk but also because a couple of hikers came in late and their dog was very active and barking. I got an early start at 7am and arrived in Dalton, MA an hour later. There was the usual gathering of hikers at the restaurant. We all hung around charging our phones while we enjoyed a very good breakfast. My plan was to hike 10 more miles to another town and have a late lunch. I like crossing towns and being able to eat real food! Crossing towns allows me to carry less food and less weight!!!! After lunch, I planned to hike to the next shelter which was 3/4 of the way up Mt Greylock. After leaving Dalton, it was uphill for the first 5 miles. Fortunately it was not too steep though. I passed a couple of ponds and I stopped at one to have a snack while enjoying the view. It was very humid and there were plenty of muddy areas. The forecast was for rain this afternoon. Little did we know what was in store for us. I hiked up to The Cobbles, an outcropping of rocks which gives you views of Cheshire and Mt Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts. I could see the bad weather coming while I was up there and I could hear thunder in the distance. My footsteps quickened because I wanted to avoid getting rained on. Meanwhile, the sound of the clapping thunder was getting closer. The wind started blowing hard and it got darker. I stopped to put the rain cover on my backpack and put my rain gear on but, it came so fast that I was drenched by the time I got everything on. It was like a hurricane coming in very fast. The path became a creek. Trees and branches were coming down all around me then to top it off, it started hailing! They were small pieces but I could feel them hitting my head. I had to go around the trees that were falling in my path and blocking the trail. The storm came upon us quickly and it stopped just as quickly. It probably lasted 15-20 minutes. I got into Cheshire just as the rain stopped. This is one of those towns where the trail goes right through the town. The town was hit hard by the storm. Trees were down and utility lines were also in the street. A tree fell on a house and you could see the hole in the roof. It was just wild! It is hard to explain the feeling inside me as it was all going on...excitement, fear, fun, all mixed together! I talked to some of the locals as I walked down the street and they'd never seen anything like that. I reached the post office where some of the hikers I've camped with were gathered. I had a package in the post office! Woo hoo! No, it wasn't my pad...that is due in tomorrow. Yvonne sent my new hiking poles and some snacks.It was supposed to rain some more late in the afternoon so I decided to stay in town. I took a city bus to another small town though, Pittsfield, and got a hotel room. A good shower and dinner was what I needed. I ran into a Brother and Sister hiker team at dinner. We keep running into each other which is typical for through hikers. In any case, I told them to quit following me! We had a good laugh about that. I hand washed my clothes and settled in with the TV for the evening. Hopefully I will get my new pad tomorrow before I hit the trail. I am not planning on leaving early. I will take my time and have breakfast before I leave. What a day!!