Date: 2014-07-16
From: Mt. Greylock

To:  Pattison Rd
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: scattered clouds

In which I meet my Aunt Ruthie, Uncle Jon and Madison on the trail.I woke up to pounding rain pummeling my window this morning. The clouds were so thick all I could see was a curtain of white shielding any view below. It also looked cold outside! One of those damp, bone chilling, stay inside in front of the fire with a good book and hot tea kind of day. But that isn't the plan for the day unfortunately. I've got some hiking to do.In order to buy some time and hope for the weather to pass, which they say should happen by 1000, I found my way down to the dining room. Here I indulged in many cups of hot coffee with cream and feasted on 2 blueberry muffins with real butter and orange marmalade. They had just come out of the oven and were fabulous warm. I enjoyed them as I watched the rain blow across the monument and field in sheets. So happy to be inside at the moment warm and dry.By 0900 I find myself packing up with plans confirmed to meet my family and attend to my foot which is red, swollen and very painful. I've got to get off the trail and attend to this foot. I won't get to Maine without it and I am going to Maine! I'm ready to finish this hike, but I'm not quite ready at this moment, still work to do. And if I do not attend to this foot there will be no Maine. I am NOT prepared for that reality. So onward down the beautiful and steep mountain to Pattison Rd. I go.By the time I left the lodge the rain had actually stopped. The trees were still dripping but the pouring rain gone. What remained was a gray sky and billowy white clouds moving very quickly across the sky and up from the valley below. The valley was a mass of blue/green color. It was just so beautiful, a little slice of heaven. I enjoyed taking it all in as I paused at an overlook, it's just so peaceful, so serene yet energizing and invigorating. I'm happy and content as I walk this morning. As I round a corner in the trail there is a deer feeding right off the trail's edge. She looks up, I grab my camera, talk to her and take some pictures. She doesn't even flinch. She continues to graze and is kind enough to let me photograph her. She carries on as if I'm not even there. So cool.My rain gear is now making me sweat so I take a break to shed some layers. The trail is now a river of fast, flowing water through the rocks. Mud puddles abound likewise. My shoes and feet are soaked! Some of the boardwalks upon which to walk are also submerged under muck. It was a little messy in spots. I just had to plow through the mud and streams and I did with the delight of a child. No one was out hiking this morning. I passed only one SOBO all morning. It was enjoyably quiet.The last descent into town was a good, steep one. It took a little extra time as the rocks and ground were wet and very slippery. I went sliding in the mud a few times and by the time I reached the bottom my right knee was also screaming at me along with knives stabbing my foot with every step. Then I see a black lab walking my way. It's Madison wagging her tail and having a blast. Soon my aunt and uncle follow hiking up to meet me. It was so great to see them! And a relief. It really enjoyed hiking together the last stretch of trail. It provided a welcome distraction from my pain and was lovely to talk to people instead of the wildlife.Once in the car my shoes came off! Boy did they smell! and man my toe and foot looked bad too! I'm so grateful I have family nearby! They are awesome and totally rock. So next we did what any thru hiker would do, forget the foot. My stomach was begging for attention. So off on a food hunt we went and were not disappointed!I love the dairy bars around here. We found an awesome one in North Adams. Pedrin's Dairy Bar is the name and they are the bomb! I couldn't resistant the fish and chips and onion rings with a cherry coke. It hit the spot. Then I topped it off with a twist ice cream cone. The thing was heavy! and very delicious! It was a fantastic meal and probably one of my favorites on this adventure, not to mention the company either. Thanks Uncle Jon and Aunt Ruthie!At this point the rain had gone away and the sun came out. We got to enjoy a red picnic table on the lawn and let Madison roll all over the grass while we ate. It was a lovely, carefree afternoon.As we drove back to the house we followed the ridge I had just descended. It was a little surreal to look back up at it knowing I had just been walking in those woods. We likewise were treated to views of Mt. Greylock and the monument from the valley below. Quite different perspectives and I'm so grateful I got to experience both.I enjoyed the car ride home on this now sunny afternoon. It gave me time to process things and transition into the next phase of this adventure. I'm always a little sad though when I leave the trail and become fearful of the future and the unknown. But this too shall pass and I'll just have to stay in today and relish each and every moment for what it is right here, right now.