September 20, 2006 | Miles: 5.1
Start: MA 23, Great Barrington
End: Mt. Wilcox Shelter North
Danielle:
Nice and fall-like
It's interesting what evokes an emotional response... we've been out hiking on the trail a few times already this year but something about going by "the rock" just past Blue Hill Rd. this morning really made us emotional. The spot where we decided to stop last year, where Ryan said "enough." To walk past it and up the trail was something. Wouldn't have thought it would mean so much to pass it by, but symbolically it was important...and on we went...
It was a mellow day for us, but our first day on the trail as an overnight with big packs. It's feeling like fall. Cool and crisp, with some of the trees changing too. Very nice. Had lunch at Benedict Pond, and passed a few other woodland ponds as we meandered to the shelter. Got here at 1:30, just before the rain hit. It's clearing up now, but just in case, it looks like we'll be in the shelter tonight...and likely early in our bags too. Brrr! Snowman is starting a fire to keep us warm, and another hiker, Ramps, has joined us. All in all, a wonderful day in the woods, and great to be out :-)
Flora and fauna notes: 26 orange salamanders, many toads and many cool-looking purple mushrooms.
Ryan:
today was our first backpack on the at since last year. our route also took us past the place we stopped last year - the rock. it's a faceless rock in the massachusetts woods. but, it's an important spot for us. i remember sitting on that rock last year knowing that i wouldn't get to see what was around the corner. today i did. needless to say, it was pretty emotional.
our hike was great. short but great. a good first test with the full pack. even with only 1 night of food, it's heavy. backpacking is hard. i felt great. i could have kept going, but stopping for the night was the better choice. another shortish day tomorrow. so, we'll see how i feel. but, i'm very optimistic. made a decent fire tonight...in the off and on rain showers. hairball would have been proud. danielle brought the wrong sleeping bag. i hope she doesn't freeze.
Song of the day: Boogie on Reggae Woman, Stevie Wonder.
September 21, 2006 | Miles: 14.0
Start: Mt. Wilcox Shelter North
End: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Danielle:
Gorgeous! Cool.
Well, remember how last year on the second day, our schedule went out the window? Today was very similar.... we had a nice morning hiking through the woods, scaring up a few grouse along the way and enjoying the woods. We went through some beautiful meadows and over a few nice bog bridges alongside some swampy fields. A great morning to be out. Anyway, we made our 7 miles to the car by 12:00, and Snowman really wanted to keep going. I was concerned that it would be pushing it, but he said he felt great, so after a little cajoling, we picked up some food at the car, and kept going... the next 7 miles were not quite as flat or smooth, but we made it here by 4:00. Upper Goose Pond is gorgeous, as the trail skirted its edges for the last mile or so... the cabin is set up in the woods, with a caretaker, above the lake. Travelin Jack is a fun character, sharing lots of stories and food! Great fun. After a filling dinner with lots of extra snacks, we are inside by the fire. Ramps is here too, as is a SOBO and 2 friends of Jack's. Lots of fun, and a gorgeous day. Bright blue skies and cool. Couldn't ask for a better hiking day! And even better, Ryan felt great. I'm a bit tired, but it's great to be out! :-)
flora and fauna: closed gentian-neat purple flower, endangered-,2 grouse, chickadees, one garter snake.
Ryan:
perfect weather
the plan was to hike 7 today. but, in a strange twist of at fate, i felt great. no pain. it was really quite awesome. so, really i have nothing to complain about today.
our car was parked at a road 7 miles from the start. so, we stopped, ate lunch, and i convinced danielle to keep walking. the best part was we were able to resupply at the car. kinda neat. of course, the 7 miles before lunch were easier than the 7 miles after lunch...reminded me of our 2nd day on the trail when we extended our plan and the pm was harder. but, really it wasn't that hard. see, i'm not complaining.
upper goose pond cabin is awesome. big fire in the fireplace and i was greeted with a beer from the caretaker. hiking is the best thing ever.
Song of the Day: Transcendental Blues, Steve Earle
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