Aug 5: Cheshire, MA / St. Mary’s Church   Miles Today : 18.8 Miles to Katahdin : 605.2

Today was a pretty typical day on the AT, good mileage, fair trails and no glamour. Serves me right for gloating the other day I guess. This morning started out terrible as I did not sleep well at all. The mosquitoes were RELENTLESS in their pursuit of my blood. I finally rose from my bag around 7:30, admitting defeat this time.

My mood quickly changed though with a little hot coffee and fresh blueberries in my cereal. Oh yeah, Happy Birthday Cookie Lady! I also found out that TAD is leaving the trail. He decided that he wants to be home in time for the harvest and all the rewards in fresh fruit that it provides. Good Luck TAD, I wish you well.

The first half of today was pretty mindless. 9+ miles of terrain to cover, no views, no fruit, no people even. After 9 miles though, the trail runs through the town of Dalton, MA. Nothing that special about this town, but it did prove to be an excellent lunch spot. DB and I chowed on subs and ice cream during the heat of the day.

After a two hour break, it was back to the grind. Another unremarkable 9 miles into the town of Cheshire. I do think that Swamp Fest 99 is now over, however, we got a couple of stanky, smelly swamps in the morning followed by a pond not deserving of the name in the afternoon. Hopefully from this point on we will be high, away from the mudholes.

We rolled into St.Mary’s church. Not really a hostel, just a room to sleep, with no shower or laundry. Still, the price is right and I don’t have to battle the bugs. DB and I each had just about the best calzone ever at a little sub shop in town. Father Tom, who has hiked the entire trail, highly recommended the place and we were not disappointed.

Oh yea, then we went across the street to the Cheshire Inn for a few beers. It was a very interesting place, but let me just say that the bartender was throwing a bud back while watching the Country Music Television channel!

Dad rolls into town tomorrow and I get to tackle Graylock without a pack. Then its back to Marlboro for the evening where I get to see my mom and of course my wonderful girlfriend. Only 600 miles to go. Katahdin, I am close.

-Chomp

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