Date: 2004-08-09
From: Cheshire, Mass.

To: Mt. Greylock
Miles today: 7.7

Start Cheshire, Mass. Destination Mt. Greylock When I woke up this morning, it took me a few minutes to remember where I was. You know, what day is it, what state am I in? The days run together and the states run together and the towns run together. I fixed breakfast outside under the church porch covering. I had bought a fresh cranberry nut muffin yesterday in Dalton, and surprising enough it was in one piece and only slightly smashed from the trip in the very top of my pack. Combined with a cup of hot Cinnamon Apple Tea, it made for a good breakfast. Southern man and I hiked out of town together and gradually worked our way up the climb to Mt. Greylock. The air was crisp and had a coolness about it. The cold front that has come through has made short work of the bugs, or maybe it is the lack of sweat that kept them off of me. It was just at 1:00 when I got to Bascom Lodge on top of Mt. Greylock. The deadline for dinner reservations was 1:00, so I just squeezed mine in under the wire. Mt. Greylock is the highest point on the trail in Mass. There is a War Memorial along with the lodge. Of course I climbed the 90 steps up the spiral staircase to the top of the lighthouse that serves as the memorial. From the top you can see in all four directions. For once the weather cooperated and there were plenty of clear views. There is a lodge here that offers private rooms or coed bunkrooms with linens or for a mere $10.00 you can have a bunk in the hiker¢s hostel, which is a garage that has been turned into room. It has a window, door, a ceiling light, and four bunk beds with mattresses. The toilets are across the parking lot and are porta potties. But, you also get a towel and a shower with a bar of soap. The shower temperature is preset and the water flow is pretty soft, but it was enough to wash the dirt and sweat off. This deal did not include a washrag though, so I made do by using my one and only pair of underwear as one. I just don't feel like I have had a shower unless I can scrub myself. At least my underwear would be clean another day! I went back to my bunk and read until dinner time. Dinner was served family style and there were 17 people for dinner. I met a delightful family on vacation and we spent the mealtime talking and visiting back and forth. Of course they were all full of questions about my hike and I was happy to answer them. Chicken Parmigian, tossed salad, soup and brownies with whipped cream made everyone happy and we all felt like little pigs when we were through. Unfortunately the clouds moved in just before sunset and the beautiful sunset I was hoping for was just pretty. A few splashes of brilliant red as the sun sank between the clouds were reward enough though for me. I am hoping that the old saying "Red sky at night, sailors delight¢ holds true for tomorrow. I can gaze down from the lodge and look out over the mountains to the towns below. I love to watch the lights come on in the towns below. They begin to twinkle, adding more and more lights as dusk changes to darkness. Dinner tonight was one of the most enjoyable times I have had on the trail. I bowed my head as a small boy led his family in a blessing for the meal. I could not understand a word he said, but just the gesture brought tears to my eyes. How I wish more families would teach their children how to thank God for what they have. It did however make me extremely homesick for my grandchildren. I could have done more miles today, but then I would have missed so many of the smiles, and for me that is what this trip is about.Total miles 7.7