Date: 2017-08-03
To: Leeman Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: clear sky

8/3/17 Day 68 - 16.2 milesCloud Pond Lean-to to Leeman Brook Lean-to Slept good last night except for the brief spell of drizzle in the middle of the night. I was a little worried we'd have a cold morning and a cold rain is never fun. Luckily the rain was done by the time I got up for the morning and it wasn't all that wet on the ground either.I was excited to get started today because 1st up was the Barren Mt.fire tower. I had climbed this on my 1st trip here 9 years ago. The top platform has fallen off but the stand and ladder are still there. I was especially lucky this morning as the mountain top was above the clouds and there's a 360 degree view. A sea of clouds all the way around! I climbed half way up the tower.  My knees got a little shaky as the rungs of the ladder were rusty and flexing under my weight. Some of them even spun as I grabbed them.  The views were just incredible and I took a ton of pictures. I also had cell reception for the 1st time in a while so I was able to call Lisa and say hello. I spent a while up there on the mountain and the sun was bright and making things warm so I was kind of looking forward to walking down into the cloud cover if only to cool off but the clouds were burning off as I got lower.  By the time I reached the valley, the clouds were gone and the temps were beginning to rise. The original plan was to walk about 17 miles and stop 3 miles short of the parking area at route 15 where I'd get a ride into Monson but I caught a case of the "burger fever" and started plotting on how I could get into town tonight. At the crossing of Little Wilson Stream I got the idea to eat my lunch a bit early - it was 10:00 but I could eat. This would give me the ability to walk through till about 4-5:00 and see if town was still possible. As I was sitting at the stream eating my brunch and soaking my feet, I recognized the landing on the side of the stream- I had camped right here on my 1st trip. It brought back more memories of that incredible adventure.  The temp was starting to rise, the humidity was coming back, and with the tough trail conditions in this section, the miles were coming very slowly. This particular section of the HMW is more demanding than the others. A lot of steep ups and downs combined with the roots, rocks, and mud make it slow going. I also stopped to talk a lot to the NOBOs today. Sometimes I can't keep my mouth shut and I'll end up talking with them for 10-15 at a time- tough to make miles that way. It does help to get info about the trail you're going to be coming across though or to let someone know that they better carry extra water because the streams are dry ahead.  By the time I came up to Big Wilson Stream, I was a sweaty mess and it was time for a stream bath. 1st I had to put on my water shoes and get my pack to the other side. I found a nice sunny spot in the stream and just sat down in it. The water was clear and cool and rushing pretty quick. Just as I felt cooled down, the black clouds rolled in and it began to thunder.  No rain, just a lot of noise. I still had 3 miles to the shelter or 6 miles to town. Town was still a possibility!  I had a series of tough ups and downs, and combined with the heat, town just wasn't gonna happen today. I relented with about 1 mile left to the shelter and accepted 1 more night without a burger.  Just as I rolled up to the shelter the rain started and my decision turned out to be the right one. Hollywood was here ahead of me again. We seem to be on the same schedule. He told me that he had called ahead to Shaws and found out that they are totally booked anyway so I wouldn't have had a room if I pushed into town. I checked my phone and found that I had service so I called Shaw's and made a reservation for tomorrow night. I asked them when their first shuttle is and they told me that they drop off their 1st batch of hikers at around 8:15 so I let them know I'd be there early. It was well past time for a real shower and some good town food. I was also able to make my phone battery last a full 7 days with my battery pack so I could watch some House of Cards tonight!! Everything is going to be alright!!