Date: 2012-07-09
From: Dalton, MA

To: Williamstown, MA
Miles today: 14.5

Yesterday was such a good decision in terms of mentally taking care of yourself. Such great times last night. We all got out to the trail later as we had to take the shuttle back to our pick up point, but with only 14 miles to do it wasn't a bad thing at all. Just a few minutes into the woods, I see Dickel lean out from behind a tree with his finger over his mouth urging me to silence and then he points to the field on my left. I stop, look over and see a bear, right there staring at me. And then baby bear stands up on his hind legs, his scruffy baby fur sticking up oddly around his neck as he peer over the bushes to get a look at me. I snapped an awesome shot of this in the photo gallery by the way. there was another cub a little further back. I smiled despite mamas close attention to me but when i turned to go tell the other hikers behind me she took this as a not so good move toward her cubs and took a step toward me snapping her mouth and giving a little warning snort. Alrighty then, you are absolutly right mama bear, My bad, i was totally going to just keep walking the other way, away from you and your cubs. onward. quickly now.such a neat expierence right off the bat. In fact all of today was very cool. The climb up mnt Greylock was very gradual and easy on this side so even though it was quite the gain in elevation it was spread out in such a way as to leave you with your breath as it guided you through the thick spruce forests that are becoming more and mre common. About a mile from the summit you got views of the memorial tower. At one point the trail popped you out along a little pond where a small shed was tucked away then back into the woods. unexpected and so picturesque as if from a painting. the weather look of the wood siding reflected amazingly with the blue sky and white clouds in the water. this was surprising given how darkly tinted it was from all the pine. but thats the water of the north, looks not so good but tastes just fine. I'm loving being back in proper mountains again and the summit did not disappoint with views of 5 states, the surrounding mountains and hill rolling on seemingly forever, and there in the very far distance loomed the green mountains with just a hint of the whites that lay beyond them. sign. what a reward for the beating we took in PA and sticking through the mental exhaustion of the last third of the trail. if this view doesn't inspire you, I'm not sure what will.Grey lock then dumped us off it's steep northern descent with essentially a free fall. switchbacks? Ha no you're going to be sliding. Even more happy I didn' slack pack as it would mean I'd be coming up this. then back into the civilization of town as I figured out how to locate my former professors house. I had such a relaxing evening with them and am so happy they were home (having only moved here last week) and up for having me over rather unexpectedly as I was moving faster than expected without signal to notify them. It's been three years and there was lots to catch up on including shareing stories of our travels. Adventurous souls, they have hiked parts of Europe showing me pictures so amaizngly beautiful they look fake. Sleeping well tonight with more treats tomorrow to look forward to.