We should be at Upper Goose Pond Cabin tonight, enjoying the foam mattresses. We should be at Upper Goose Pond Cabin, where the gallons of water are lined up on the porch, there for the taking. We should be at Upper Goose Pond Cabin where we could be swimming or canoeing. And we should be at Upper Goose Pond Cabin tonight because the caretaker will be fixing blueberry pancakes tomorrow morning for all his guests. But we are not at Upper Goose Pond Cabin.

We are spending the night at Shaker Campsite. We are going into Lee, MA, tomorrow to resupply, and that seems to necessitate dividing the total mileage into two short days. And cause us to miss a stay at the famous Upper Goose Pond Cabin.
Stopping early does have the advantage of first choice of tent sites, letting us set up our tent on top of a 300-year old stone wall at this site that for many years was a thriving Shaker community. It also allows us to take a nice afternoon nap in the shady woods with the bugs at bay. And finish a leisurely dinner of chicken and pasta before 6:00 p.m. Why if we didn’t have to worry about the 650.7 remaining miles, this <12 miles a day would certainly be the life!

We met more southbound section hikers than thru hikers today. Water (availability of) remains a big topic for every one out on the AT in southern Massachusetts. In eleven miles of hiking, we only saw one stream worth using unless one was faced with the edge of dehydration. And unlike yesterday, there is no trail magic to be had even though we crossed several paved roads. A small stream just past the campsite provides us water for tonight. It’s clear, if you don’t stir up the mud while collecting. It’s enough to make one look forward to a town day even more…