I was flying today! Heather and I got a nice, early start, on the road by 7am. We hit the trail at 9:45 with Heather and Tally walking with me for the first time during the hike. We said our goodbyes where the trail left the roads of Dalton, and then I started to boogie. 20 miles in 9 hours, including a nap on the summit of Greylock. Flying!

The trail could have been in better shape. There were lots of puddles and mud within 5 miles of Greylock. Hopefully the volunteer trail crew I saw at the lodge will make a dent over the next few days. It was slippery, though—my new pole tips saved my butt a few times!

I miss home horribly already. Hiking alone lets my thoughts run wild sometimes, and the battle between trail and home has been just about even over the past few weeks. The lure of catching up with Hoplite and Rockhound (now ahead of me and taunting me in the registers) helps a bunch. The desire to see this journey to completion helps as well. Finishing things it is a lesson I am trying to teach myself.

I thought I’d be alone in the shelter tonight and set up my tent in the shelter itself as bug insurance. A couple of sisters (Jen & Linda) on the first day of a section hike across MA joined me as it was getting dark and have been good company. Good thing too—I really could use the distraction right now.

Looking forward to reaching Vermont 7 miles into tomorrow’s hike. That’s state #12 and there will be less than 600 miles to go!