8/4/99 The Cookie Lady's House   Miles Today : 11.0 Miles to Katahdin : 624.0

Well, except for the hiking, today was a wonderful day. This morning, everyone was up and awake pretty early, it being such a nice day on the lake. Some people took off before breakfast, but for those of us who stuck around, we were rewarded with pancakes. Three servings of blueberry topped off with fresh brewed coffee got the day going right.

As everyone was packing and getting ready to hike, DB and I took the canoe out on the lake while Second Wind and Bronco floated on rafts. The day was perfect as we paddled around and swam in the warm water. At one point, while floating in the lake, DB said to me "People have to work today, huh?".

Well, the time finally came when we had to hike. We thanked the caretakers for their hospitality, snapped a few photos and off we went. Well, I don’t know what happened but today was the worst day of hiking that I have had in a while. Both of my feet, and several toes, were in constant pain. I got jabbed and poked by several sticks, once breaking through the skin on my shin. I tripped, stumbled and whined the entire day.

After today, the AT in MA has been officially dubbed Swamp Tour 99. Every possible swamp in western Mass has the AT passing by it, I am now convinced. We actually came across a flooded section of trail and had to bushwhack around the swampy area.

Well, we finally arrived here at the Cookie Lady’s house. She is famous on the AT for providing water, cookies and blueberries! Her and her husband grow blueberries at their house and, to a reasonable extent, let thru-hikers pick and eat them! Wow, they were good too. TAD is here as well, and he managed to get a ride into town. Why is that important? Well, he picked up a half gallon of ice cream, so we each took some, added a generous amount of blueberries and volia, dessert!

Tomorrow will be a long 20 mile day into Cheshire, but I can take it since Dad is coming out to hike the next day, which means slackpacking. It will be nice to do the toughest climb in Mass without a full pack. Can’t wait to start the day tomorrow with cereal and blueberries!

-Chomp

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