Date: 2010-07-29
From: MA 2 North Adams, Ma

To: Bennington, Vermont
Miles today: 18.4

July 29, 2010 ¢ Day 116 - ThursdayTom, the owner, and I were up early and went to breakfast at the Deli. I came back to the house in a completely different mood from yesterday morning. Yesterday I was ready to go; today I just did not have the energy. Steve, Jake and I are in the car with Tom and by 9:00 AM the three of us were saying good-bye to Tom on Rt. 2 in North Adams. We headed north once again, crossed the footbridge over Hoosic River, turned on to Massachusetts Ave and then entered the woods between two houses. I went about a 1/4 of a mile into the woods and stopped. I turned to Steve and Jake and told them I was changing my plan and going back to North Adams then yellow blaze to Bennington, Vermont and would met them there. I couldn't believe I was saying this. I have never yellow blazed on any thru-hike so this would be my first time. I felt the break would help me sever the thru-hiking mentality, rest my feet and visit new places along the Appalachian Trail. I said from the beginning of this adventure that I was going for a long walk on the Appalachian Trail. I was going to do things differently and visit new places not seen on my 2004 thru hike. This new alternative to walking the AT would give me firsthand knowledge of what yellow blazing is all about. Yellow blazing has been looked down upon by other hikers and this would give me the chance to comment on it. I highly recommend a first time thru-hiker NOT to yellow blaze. Once you¢ve been a thru hiker on the AT you can pick and choose new areas to explore.And so, my new adventure began as I turned away from the guys and headed to North Adams. The first thing I did was go to the bus terminal to find the schedule to Williamstown, MA. I then went to visit the Mass MoCA art gallery and museum. Mass MoCA is a complex of interconnected, 19th century mill buildings, with many different areas to enjoy. The $15 admission I thought was fair for a full day of enjoying art. However, since I had only a few hours, I spent one hour walking around the buildings and in the main lobby of the MoCA and then headed downtown.I found a tavern/restaurant across from the bus terminal and went inside with the intention of having lunch. I have been thinking, during my walks in the woods, what material would be in my next book. I keep coming back to the same idea I had with another hiker. I started talking with the bartender who happened to be one of the owners. This was perfect input since it had to do with the next book. I asked if I could talk to her and ask some questions. She didn't mind and in the next hour and a half we were talking and I was taking notes for the birth of my new book.I was dizzy with excitement. It is funny how things work out. During this time I found another of my purposes for taking this hike and thanked the spirit that moves through all things for giving me the strength to make such bold decisions.I got on the bus to Williamstown and when I arrived just missed the shuttle to Bennington, Vermont. I had to hitchhike from Williamstown to the Bennington trail head to meet an AT trail angel and friend by the name of Mala. I reached the trailhead and there was Mala and Tuckerman, his dog, sitting by his camper. We talked for awhile then got into his truck for a ride to a hostel in Bennington that is not in any of the trail books. Every once in awhile on the trail I would hear about this mystery hostel run by an artist and musician. Near downtown we pulled into a residence with an out building in the back resembling a small barn. Sure enough the barn was a sleeping area for hikers full of games, artwork and places to sleep on the floor.Mala asked me if I wanted to be trail angeled all the way to Killington, Vt. or possibly Hanover, NH. Mala actually calls himself the trail devil for reasons I am sure I will learn. We sat down and worked a schedule for me to be in Killington in time for the Long Trail Festival celebration of the trail's 100th birthday. I liked the plan. It would entail dropping my miles to 17 miles/day. Mala calls it Mala Magic. The timing was perfect for giving my feet a rest and a better chance to get me to Maine.I went to sleep on a rolled mattress and placed in under the pool table. I believe the rest and Mala Magic will renew my drive towards Maine.If not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe