Date: 2007-08-15
From: CT 41

To: Hemlocks Lean-to
Miles today: 14.2

August 15, Made it to Mass!I have no idea how I made it through the day. My pack weighed about four million pounds, my right foot was hurting me quite a bit, and I was downright tired after staying up late last night doing some things on the internet.We had our last breakfast at Bert and Vivian's this morning. It was tough to leave - we had it so good. Thanks again to you both, you spoiled us and I can't tell you how appreciated it is.So, Bert dropped us off at the trail around 10 a.m. It was the first day with a full pack for me since New Jersey and it was not pretty. I struggled up the first hill and was panting as if I'd never hiked before.I even had to parasite hike with Melk for a while - I was just spent today and every step was a struggle.We made it to Brassie Brook Lean-to around noon for lunch and rest and I enjoyed the last homemade sandwich I'll have for a while. We hung out there for a bit and then took off. The weather was cooler today and we really noticed it at the shelter.We climbed up and over Bear Mtn. which was rocky and a little steep on the way down. Then Melk and I met Ronin and Yellow Snow Man to celebrate our entry into Massachusetts! Ten states down, four to go. It's amazing to think. We were there for a little bit talking to Far Sang, a southbounder, but then we moved on.The next little bit of trail was right along Sawmill Brook and was gorgeous. Mossy, full of water and pine needles. Melk and I were walking together when we came across a fabuluous pool of water. It was crystal clear and we couldn't resist - we peeled off our shoes and waded for a bit when we discovered it was much too cold to actually swim. Ronin and Yellow Snow Man shortly followed suit. We spent a great deal of time there and, truth be told, we all wanted to camp there but, alas, it was 4 p.m. and we'd only hiked about seven miles. Just not enough.So we moved on reluctantly. We only got tied up one other time when we reached a campsite and we all took a vote whether to stay or go on. I wanted to go on to the shelter because it would save us two miles tomorrow. That's what we ended up doing so we hiked over Mt. Everett - several Everest references of course. It was a ridiculously steep and rocky climb which seemed completely unnecesary at the end of the day. None of us were pleased.We got here at about 7:30 p.m. with not much daylight left. I was in a foul mood for most of the day today. My right foot is bothering me and has been for a little while now. I worry it could be a stress fracture but I'm no doctor. If it keeps up, I may need to find one. When I am in pain, I just get worried and my desire to hike plummets.Anyway, it's great and exciting to be in Mass. Because of our break, there aren't a ton of folks around that we know so that's a little odd but is getting better. Still miss Dr. Youngle Spelunkerstein.- Sound of the cricket chorus.Post Trail Thoughts:This area of the trail in Mass. is also known as Sages Ravine and it is a gorgeous place. The pools right along the trail were crystal clear and spectacular. I had wished it was a hotter day but that day was just too cool to take a dip.A few days later, we were all talking about this day and Yellow Snow Man confessed that he sort of wanted to kill me this day because I wanted to go the last two miles to the shelter. It was funny to me because we all knew we needed to go. While we tried to make that decision though, I remember Ronin pulling out his Nalgene (well, his odd tribal Nalgene) full of wine to try and make the decision go away.Luna was at the shelter that night and it was nice to see her. We all shared wine with dinner which was a very relaxing treat for me.