Date: 2013-06-16
From: October Mt. Shelter

To: Dalton, Mass.
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

Everyone up early, no one slept well! Too cold, lots of snoring, and jackrabbit was up at midnight building a fire, cooking another dinner and then reading more of Bryson's book by his headlight. Father and son headed out first, southbound. The three of us left together to find "the Cookie Lady's house" about two miles north of the Shelter. She has been making cookies for hikers for around 30 years, as the AT runs right next to her house, which is a working Blueberry Farm. We saw a sign on the road "Fresh Eggs for Sale", and I noticed lots of huge Blueberry Bushes, so we walked right up the driveway, and there was a sign on the porch welcoming AT Hikers. We knew we had found the right place, but it was around 9:30 Sunday morning, and the house was quiet. They may be at Church or still asleep. We had been hearing about the Cookie Lady for days and had been looking so forward to meeting her. Just as we were about to leave, the garage door opened and here comes this nice looking older gentleman with a basket of cookies in his hand. I was so excited, I blurted out "Are You Mr. Cookie Lady?" He said, well I guess I am, my name is Roy and welcome. Would you all like some of my wife's delicious cookies? We said in unison "Absolutely!" We each had four fabulous cookies and bought an ice cold coke and a boiled egg! I drank that coke in about three sips. (Fastest ever in my life) It was the coldest best tasting coke I've ever had! We had a wonderful hour long visit with Roy and Rufus the dog, and before we left, the Cookie Lady herself came out to meet us. She makes over 2,000 cookies every hiking season. I asked if she always made the same kind of cookie, and she said "yes, I've always used the same recipe!" I told her they were delicious and if it ain't broke, don't fix it! She gave me a big hug and said I was the first hiker of the season from Alabama! Jackrabbit decided to hitchhike to Dalton as we left Mr. and Mrs. Cookie Lady's house, so Gas Can and I headed off up the trail. We hiked together for the next three hours, the he went on ahead. We met back up at the edge of the town of Dalton. We found the hostel we were planning on staying at that night, but upon arrival - Tom the owner told us he was expecting 7 Thru hikers later that evening and was full ( they knew to call and make a reservation) he offered us space to tent in his yard or we could call the Shamrock Inn, to see if they had a room. As rain was expected I decided to call the Motel. They did have a room and would wait for me to walk the "couple of blocks" turned out to be more like eight! When I arrived there was a cute puppy in the parking lot that ran to greet me, upon a closer look or maybe smell, he turned and took off like a rocket yelping. His owner watching from the balcony busted out laughing, saying he had never had that reaction to anyone! Not sure if it was the huge back pack, the trekking poles or the fragrant aroma of being in the woods for five days without a shower that spooked him. I checked in, (the three cars in the office loved me by the way!), hadn't had anything to eat since the cookie lady's so went next door to the Irish Pub for a delicious meal! Sat at the bar, and did notice folks in either side of me either didn't stay long or turned away, guess I should have had a shower first! Barely could walk the 150 steps back to my room, my feet and legs were really hurting! Took a long hot shower took two aleve and went to bed with my feet propped up. Tossed and turned all night, couldn't sleep - too sore! Shalom, Chief