(Daily Mi: 16.7) Hit 100 degrees today and was unbelievably humid. Now I'll stop whining (not really). Also a big day for reunions.
Slightly rougher couple of miles into Dalton than expected. The Trail heads through the center of town, and as we approach civilization, the Woodman and I put on bandanas under the delusion we look tough.
We head off in search of breakfast while waiting for the PO to open and promptly get lost following what proves to be a major error in the Thru-hiker's Handbook. By the time we get back to where we have started, Marine and Jiffy are in town and we all head for a diner right on the AT which turns out to be an awesome feed.
We hit the PO around 10 am. I trade out maps and forward my bounce box. We will pass through a second town (Chesire) near the end of today and decide to resupply there. Turns out to be a slow hot hump over an ugly little hill to Chesire. It is just oppressive.
Chesire is is best known as the point of origin of Andrew Jackson's Great Big Block of Cheese, and there is a monument to this fact in the form of a granite cheese press near the town PO where we are sitting catching some shade when a car pulls up and out pops Spyder and Choo Choo! who have caught a ride from Dalton. Spyder is heading back to Dalton for the night, but Choo Choo joins Woodman and me as we head for lunch and iced drinks in town.
Run into Blackhawk and Squaw on our way out of town. They tell us Jiffy cashed out at the last shelter. Steep climb out of Chesire 2500' up Greylock which (although we'll stop 500' below the summit today) is the highest point in MA. Rough climb in this heat. I catch a break 1500' up and let the Woodman continue on ahead.
I am dopey happy at the top of ridge and imagine it is the dilerium when I hear the faint strains of an Irish Whistle through the trees ... but it turns out to be my friend Piper who has been alerted of my approach by the Woodman.
Old home week at the shelter with Piper and Choo Choo. Think the P-man is now behind us and I have started leaving him messages in the registers.
