(Daily Mi: 16.4) Pretty early morning hike down off the ridge. Stopped at farmstand at the first roadhead and gobbled strawberries for twenty minutes.

Hot and thirsty as always. Considered stopping at the 13 mile shelter but it showed signs of rampant and recent porcupine damage. They love salt and apparently chew up anything that gets a little sweat on it: shelter ladders and ledges, pack straps, shoes ...

Also the water source is .75 miles straight down hill.

Pass a group of pretty girls out for a day hike and smelling of soap.

Continued 3 miles on to a very odd Unitarian hostel (the Eastern Mountain Retreat Center) which belongs in Marin County (or the Berkshires I suppose). The locals all appear to believe it is in fact Buddihst. Very strange rules re phone use and speaking during daylight hours. Shower and laundry. Air conditioning. We order pizza. Sleep.