While we can’t describe the AT between Lee and Dalton MA as “level,” there are large sections of the profile that look almost flat. And with the trail going right through the middle of Dalton, having back to back town days in these two Massachusetts towns certainly was an appealing prospect, even if it involved some big miles. Factor in the forecast for the possibility of rain in the late afternoon/ flash floods tonight (who wants to be camping in the woods in that???), and local hiker supporter Tom Levardi agreeing to help us slack pack, and we were all about doing the hike to Dalton in just one day.

The only problem was how to get back to the AT first thing on a Sunday morning, as we knew an early start was critical. We decided to position ourselves at the Dunkin Donuts exit and look pitiful for anybody turning east. About the third car coming down the street was a Lee policeman, who slowed down and stopped as he approached us. We thought we might be in some kind of trouble, but we had not noticed we were standing at a marked crosswalk. Finally, the policeman rolled down the window to inquire was N having trouble crossing the street, at which point X jumped in to say what we really needed was a ride the five miles back to the AT trailhead. Long story short, he was happy to oblige and within minutes he had us at the AT parking area by 6:09!!! Another first for our trip: a ride locked up in the back of a cop car! We couldn’t have planned anything quicker or better, and we really appreciate the hospitality of the Lee PD.

We started with a humid, foggy climb up Becket Mountain, and then did a drop back down to Finerty Pond which looked so much like something in Maine, we stopped to survey the shoreline for a possible moose sighting. But no moose yet…

For the next twelve miles, the elevation stayed within 100′ of 2,000. Several places the trail incorporated planks to cross boggy areas, but with the dry conditions it was easier to walk along beside them. We were zooming. Just before we crossed Washington Mountain Road, the smell of the evergreens was so strong it reminded us of Christmas.

We made a stop at the home of the famous AT Cookie Lady, the Wiley blueberry farm. As advertised, we were offered a basket of delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies, and a chance to fill our water bottles. As we sat on the porch drinking several Cokes, we wrote in the log, and noted on the survey clipboard we were the 6th and 7th people to sign in from Mississippi this hiking season. Only three from Alabama so far, and no one from South Dakota. Who’da thunk it???

We continued to make great time, but with four miles left we ran out of luck with the weather, and within a matter of minutes we were both soaked. The rain did let up as we started the descent into Dalton and had stopped entirely by the time we stopped by to retrieve our heavy gear which Mr. Levardi had brought from last night’s motel in Lee. We think the lighter packs saved us about two hours coming into Dalton, time we used for laundry and dinner (X says the best french onion soup she’s ever had!). After doing a minimal re-supply, we were in bed before hiker midnight. The lights have flickered several times as we are experiencing the mother of all gully-washers. Our thanks to Tom Levardi who made it possible for us to be out of the elements before dark. We hope the storm passes through as predicted before breakfast tomorrow.

Our AT guide has a column to the left with the total accumulated miles for the trip, which we have been noting since Day 1. Next to it is a similar column only with decreasing mileage to Maine. Early on we paid no attention to those numbers, as we wanted to take things one step at a time. But lately we have to admit we are occasionally looking at those figures, and note this evening we are down to 620.1 miles remaining…