Date: 2005-08-02
From: Mark Noepal Lean-To

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

The day started early and we were up to Mount Greylock around 9:30am. This is the highest point in Massachusetts at 3,491'. When we arrived, the sky was overcast and we couldn't even see the tower that stood only yards away. Bug and I walked inside the lodge and had an awfully early lunch (as in 10:45 early). We just could not pass up a tasty, juicy burger. By the time we were ready to leave, the sun had made an appearance and we decided to be on our way. As we walked outside, we got a great view of the 92' tall granite tower that serves as a memorial for the State's war dead. We walked to the top and tried to see the views from the top but it was too hazy.As we hiked down the mountain, it was very very steep. It was not a descent of rock steps, but rather washed out trail. As I descended, I began to wonder about the trail and its hikers. I question why I am still out here. I am still having a wonderful time and it has nothing to do with my motivations to finish. I look back on the miles we have hiked and all of the people we have met. I am not the most athletic of people, there are certainly more people out here that are better cut out for this. At this point I apologize because my thoughts are rather disconnected, but so many people have been knocked off the trail. They have gotten off for numerous reasons: injury, family emergency, unbearable heat, and mental funk just to name a few. We met a hiker our first day on the trail who said that we as hikers have to be careful and watch our every step, otherwise we could injure ourselves and have to get off the trail. At the time I didn't think much of it, but as I hiked! down the mountain, those words came back to me. It was a difficult descent and there were plenty of places I could have slipped on a root and broken any number of bones. Looking back there have been numerous times I could have been seriously hurt. So again, I ask myself, why has God allowed me to come all this way when there are countless others who want just as badly to make it to Katahdin? I know that in time this question may be answered and that an answer might not come immediately, but I thought I would share some of the thoughts that have occurred to me while hiking the trail.Bug and I walked to the grocery in Williamstown, MA to resupply and found that we couldn't get off our duffs to get back on the trail. There was a lovely bench right outside of the store and we sat there for 3 hours. Sure, we repackaged our food and ate lunch and ate Ben and Jerry's, but that didn't warrant 3 hours in town. It was fun though. I met an older gentleman who sat down to talk to me about the trail. He told me of a magical little spot at Little Rock Pond, he talked of how he used to take his kids there when they were children. His birthday is the same day as Bug's and he will be 80 this year; he asked that when we stop at that pond we just think of him. We also found out that he is just one of two or three vets in the area still living who was there at Normandy on D-day. It may not be Veteran's day, but I was mighty thankful today for our servicemen and women who keep our country and our freedoms safe.Eventually we got moving and hiked out of town. The afternoon was steep ups and tough. Because we left late, we had to do a bit of night-hiking. It was a big day though, we are now under 600 miles left to go, and we crossed into a new state! We are now in the great state of Vermont, and not only are we hiking on the AT but on the southern half of the Long Trail as well. The long trail was the prototype for the Appalachian Trail. Well, it is late, especially considering that we didn't arrive here until 9:30pm. I am tired and long overdue for sleep!