Date: 2014-07-09
From: Brassie brook shelter

To: MA 41
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: moderate rain

In which today kicked my arsh!Today's hike was rather beautiful. It also was wet, slippery, step, hard and tiring but provided awesome views from the ridge. I really enjoy ridge walking especially when the weather cooperates and I was reminded just how my I like New England. My heart is up here.I entered Massachusetts a few miles after leaving the shelter. I'm so glad to have another state behind me. I feel like I'm making progress even though the states are getting to be more of a challenge. If you like sayings "they" say 80% of the walking is done but only 20% of the work. In my opinion the work just changes and with more challenge comes more beauty and reward.It rained and thundered last night. The storm came in once then back around a second time. The thunder echoes quite resoundingly through the mountains and ravines also. It provided a good light and sound show. Just as the rain added a little more challenge to today's walk. The initial descent into Sage's Ravine was steep, wet and scary at times. I did a lot of butt scooting down the mountain. It felt safer, less of a distance to fall should that be the case.Once in the ravine the terrain changed from boulders to pine forests with wonderful aromas and a soft, pine needle floor bed. It just had a very magical feel. I could linger here all day and enjoy breathing the air, smelling the pine and smiling at the river while basking in the patches of sunshine. The river which runs through was equally beautiful and provided many photo ops. It was flowing rather quickly over rocks and moss, nudging branches down stream with the current and flowing into some great looking swimming holes. The mosquitos thought it was a wonderful place too if I recall correctly.Next came the knee high river crossing to get to the trail on the other side. This was a two-for. I got to soak my feet and keep my shoes "dry" as I crossed in my Crocs. I use the term "dry" loosely because my shoes were damp already, but I spared them and my feet from being soaked. The water felt great and was invigorating before the long and sometimes steep climb up Mt. Race. Then down, then another big ascent up boulders with flowing water down it to the summit of Mt. Everett. The trail was marked very poorly and about half way up I couldn't find any blazes. I thought I was no longer on the AT. So I walked about a quarter of the way down backtracking trying to find a blaze, which I did if you can call it a blaze. It was faded and blended into the color of the tree hidden which was hidden by tree leaves. Ugh. So back up the rocks I went and did a little hand holding up the rocks on this trip.I played leap frog with Mike and Al today. We all were up on a ridge last talking and we all left at separate times. I never formally got to say good bye to them. I was taking a zero tomorrow and knew they were moving on to Dalton. Farewell, I enjoyed your entertaining company! It was great to hike with you guys...Happy trails. I was a little stressed this afternoon...not a good feeling while hiking. It was self imposed stress which makes it worse. I was being picked up at 3pm and knew I was running late. The miles were slow going. There was no speeding up. The final descent a mile or so before the road was straight down stairs, mossy, dark, slippery and often narrow stairs into the forest below. That likewise was taking longer than expected. I really didn't stop for any breaks today other than to get water, pee or enjoy a view so I was pretty fried, once again self imposed. Why do I do this? I hit the wall a few times today. Luckily it all worked out in the end.I am now sitting in a bed, well fed, watered, showered, feet propped up quite content listening to the sounds of the frogs croaking, birds chirping and dogs barking outside of my window. There is a nice cool breeze blowing in and I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be (ok, maybe in my tent in the woods, but that's tomorrow). Life is very good!