Date: 2005-08-04
From: Mt Greylock

To: Congdon shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: clear sky

I wake up early this morning. That's good because I want to get an early start and do a long day. Once again I'm chasing the Trolls. I made up three miles yesterday but they're still quite a bit ahead.My early breakfast and pack noise doesn't please Crazy Legs who asks me if I'm trying to be as loud as possible. I was actually trying to be quiet but that's hard to do when most of your stuff is wrapped in garbage bags. And deflating a therma rest without noise is practibly impossible.After his comment I open the really noisy door and throw all my stuff outside. I'm not going back in to say goodbye to UG. Wouldn't want to make more noise now would I? I don't know what his plans are but I doubt he's going to do a 20. He's seems to enjoy the company of his new buddies. The descent down Greylock is really steep. No fast miles here. There is a nice view from Mount Prospect. I chat with a day hiker here. She says she wouldn't have the stamina to hike this trail. I tell her it's mostly mind over matter.When I hit MA2 I decide to go the .3 miles off the trail to the supermarket. I first chat with Nomad however. I never met him before, he's always been ahead. The reason I'm meeting him now is because he's got and infected foot and needs to get off the trail for awhile. Hopefully he'll be able to get back on. We've come so far, to have to quit now would really suck. He also tells me that the Trolls didn't do a long day yesterday and are now only half a day ahead. Maybe I'll catch them tonight.At the supermarker I buy all sorts of goodies and treat myself to a nice brunch. Too bad there is a weird old guy spoiling it. He's asking me what I'm doing here. I tell him about the trail. He asks me if I'm alone. I say yes. Am I not afraid by myself? I say no, there are people looking out for me. Am I not afraid there'll be guys wanting to grope me? No. Would I like to be groped? What?!? NO! Why do I want to do this? Well, to be away from al the cars for example. Can't I just sit on my front porch? I don't have a front porch. The back porch? I don't have a house. What does your mom think of you being out here? She thinks it's great. Yeah, because she's rid of you. What?!? You're mean! I can't believe this guy. I don't say another word, pack up my stuff and leave. What an idiot!Back on the trail there is a nice stream to wash my feet in. Soon after there are some natural 'bath tubs' in the stream. I can't resist and bathe again. Chilly but nice. The trail goes up and down again and there is a nice (yeah right!) climb over a bunch of rocks. There is a little bit of PA in every state it seems. Oh well. More little ups and downs follow and finally the Massachusetts-Vermont border is there. Eleven states done, three more to go.There is more up and down. Over rocks and mud. No smooth walking today. I meet a couple of Southbounders and a Long Trail hiker (the Long Trail and AT share the same trail here). No fellow Nobo's though. After fifteen miles I'm ready to be done. My feet are tired. I manage to do five more miles though. I also manage to dump my foot (and sandal) in the mud just about .2 miles before the shelter. Ugh! I'm so happy to be done!!!A little bit later Romer shows up. She left Sunshine and Camel because she wants to make some miles before getting off to go to a wedding. We're the only ones here (although I think some girls are tented somewhere). Romer sets up her tent and I'm hoping the bugs won't be too bad. With the shelter to myself I can be as noisy as I want tomorrow morning ; ).