Jeremy

Day 28 (Crystal Mountain to Sherman Brook Campsite)

The morning was chilly but the skies were clear. Jeremy made me a cup of coffee which was a nice change of pace from my normal morning routine.

I started hiking at 6:20. I hiked over The Cobbles (large marble outcroppings) and down to the town of Cheshire. I have been craving doughnuts and I knew Cheshire had a Dunkin Doughnuts. I got a large coffee and 6 doughnuts and indulged myself for an hour.

Editor's Note
Susan’s very own mother sent this taunting post via Facebook…

donuts

Can you believe that? I’d say Susan’s splurge was completely justified…

Next I hiked up and over Mt. Greylock (elevation 3491 ft), the highest mountain in Massachusetts. While hiking up, I ran into the same biology research group that I met yesterday. They are doing an extensive study of erosion on the trail. I may continue to see them all the way to Maine. One of them, Bryan, is an ultrarunner. Fun group! Oddly enough, I didn’t see any other thru hikers on the trail today.

On my way down into Williamstown I met a very nice local couple, Chris and Amanda, and their cute dogs. Chris offered to shuttle me into town to pick up my resupply. Awesome guy! Afterward, I hiked a couple more miles and set up camp at Sherman Brook Campsite. There are tent platforms here so it was my first time setting up my Tarptent (not free standing) on a platform. It worked out pretty well.

Chris, the trail angel. 🙂
Tarptent set up on a platform at Sherman Brook Campsite
Pond on Mt. Greylock
Trail erosion researchers Brian and Mary-Ellen

Day 27 (Berkshire Lakeside Lodge to Crystal Mountain Campsite)

The “continental breakfast” at the hotel left a lot to be desired but I made the best of it with 2 muffins, a banana, an apple and coffee. Although I woke at 5 AM, I took my time repacking my gear and making some repairs so I didn’t hit the trail until almost 8:00.

There were a lot of people on the trail. I met Croc Guy, another Flip-flop thru hiker that started a couple weeks before me. He was hiking with Bald Eagle and Bobcat (a Kennesaw State student). They all stayed at the Upper Goose Pond Cabin last night. I would have stayed there if the lodge hadn’t been an option.

The hiking terrain was pretty easy today. There were a few climbs but it was 90% runnable. I stopped in Dalton, MA for a veggie burger for dinner at Anglina’s. The trail markings were very confusing leaving town so I wasted about 20 minutes finding the trail. Once I found it, I had to run the next 3.8 miles to make it to camp by sun down. It was a challenge but I made it.

There are a number of section hikers here. I’m camping near a really nice guy, Jeremy, that had a campfire built. It is the first time on this trip I have enjoyed a campfire. We sat by the fire and talked for a little over an hour. Good times.

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