Woke up to sprinkling rain on the tent. Then it was a dash for me and Scatters to pack everything up before the real rain came down. We got everything back up, under the cover of the shelter, but it only sprinkled for a bit. We ate breakfast with the crew and then left after a few people and before a few others. It was only three miles (with a small spike) to Dalton where we'd do laundry, clean up, charge our phones and be on our way.
Or so we thought...
We caught up to Klarity and 151 walking through town, and walked right by Tom Levardi's house. Tom is a trail angel (heaven sent) who allows hikers to stay at his house, shower and do laundry for no charge! We were sold. We thought we'd just shower, do laundry and head out of town, but after a snack at the diner (where we saw Boss, Tattoo, Deetz, Power Pack, Sandbagger, 151, Klarity, Timon, Xan and Neutron) we were tempted to hang around. What a good group, too! Sandbagger, Xan and Neutron had stayed last night, so they hiked out, but we were sure to see them again soon. It's nice to be within a day of so many fun hikers!
Tom was so great to us! After throwing the laundry in, he drove eight of us to Walmart and then to the mall. He went back home while we wandered around, I got new shoes (pair number three) at EMS, and then we all saw Inception at the theater. Scatters and I have been trying to see that movie for a WHILE. It was very good.
We called Tom after the movie and he picked us up and took us home. Scatters and I decided to stay in Dalton. We'd missed out on staying at the Captain's house in Unionville, so we didn't want to pass up on another AT institution. And this one was a good one.
Back at the house, we chatted a bit before heading over to the Tavern for a bite and a beer. Good times on a Wednesday night. We ate, we drank, we were merry. We returned to the house and continued to chat until almost midnight!!?! It's almost midnight (well, it's after midnight now), and I'm going to sleep in my tent in the yard. Boss, Timon, Klarity, 151, and Tattoo plan to slack-pack tomorrow 23 miles. They'll get dropped off in Williamstown and hike south back to Tom's with only day packs. As tempting as it sounds, I'm going to resist. Scatters and I are going to hike (regular style) north from here in the morning. I don't know what it is, but since I haven't slack-packed at all so far on this trip, I just don't want to break the streak...
Greylock tomorrow. Haven't been above 3000 feet in a while....
(3mi 2st)
-- Posted from the trail...
Location:Tom's House in Dalton, Mass
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