Date: 2003-07-22
From: Mt. Greylock 3,491

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter 2,330
Miles today: 26.3
Weather: light rain

Our day started early today. Last night a bad storm blew through while we were at dinner. I figured it would be over. Not so. We planned a 26 mile slackpack today and it was going to happen no matter what. We got up at 6:00 and my sister picked us up around 7:00. No breakfast for us this morning. It rained pretty hard before she came to pick us up but ended soon. She drove us back to Mt. Greylock and we said our goodbyes. I was so glad I got to see her and very flattered that she came up here on her vacation when she could have done lots of other things. She took our packs with her and dropped them off at Greenwood Campground which is 24 miles away by trail but located near Bennington, VT. For those of you paying attention, we finished Mass today and moved into VT! We used the bathroom in the lodge on Mt. Greylock and once again, ran into Eric. His hike is going really well. We have tried to convince him to hike with us since we keep running into each other. We are slightly ahead of him now though. At 8:30 we headed out and hiked until lunch time with no break - 10 miles. We had lunch near the peak of Prospect Mtn. where Booble worked on his tan a bit right in the middle of the trail. A group of girl scouts came by and some of them made a pretty wide path around him. Funny. They were miserable, by the way, after last night's storm.We hiked on for over four hours straight until we came to a shelter, took a 10 minute break, and hiked the last four miles to the road. At the road, we had done over 24 miles already and it was 7:15. We hitched a ride with a couple who attend college near here and they drove us the three miles to the campground. The owners of the campground were so nice and didn't mind holding our packs at all even though we didn't stay there. They told us to go across the road to the store where we might find a ride back to the trailhead. Did you say store? We were so there. We bought sodas (shocker!) and were on the porch with not much hope of a ride when this guy in a van pulls up. Again, I thought, "Here's our ride." He went in, bought beer, came back out, and I asked him for a ride. Got a no at first, then he asked if we were stranded. Our answer was yes, so he said he would be glad to take us. Scary ride, let me tell you. He was already a bit intoxicated, which we didn't know, but all was well when he dropped us off. By this time, it is 8:15 and getting dark. We hiked 1.6 miles to the next shelter, most of it in the dark. Booble went on ahead. Our packs were heavy and we had a steep climb and I can't keep up with him. I told Sweet Ass I didn't want to hike alone in the dark so he stayed behind me. I really appreciated that and told him so. I thought I would become a more graceful, skilled hiker out here. I have not. I am still clumsy and darknes does not help any. We didn't have any problems, though. When we got to the shelter, we all set up our tents and went to bed. None of us cooked dinner, but I had cookies and my soda before I went to bed. I was exhausted but glad to have this 26 miles behind me with no pack on for most of it. No chaffing for me today!Twenty-six mile days are all work and no fun. Anything over 20 is a lot of work with little time to break for rest and food. I hope we don't have many more. We were spared from severe rain today, had mild temps, and easy terrain but no fun. We did cross into VT, though. Only three states left including VT. We are all excited and motivated and strong. We rock!Goodnight Oscar. I will see you soon little buddy!