08 June - Cookie Lady's Farm (near Becket)

Partly cloudy and cool with some rain in the afternoon.  High in low 60s.

Berkshire Lakeside Lodge was a very nice stop.  Besides the kayaking, she (one of the new owners) gave us a bowl of fruit and two big muffins for snacks and breakfast. 

The hike today was nice - a big climb in the morning and then small ups and downs the rest of the day.  There were lots of lakes and ponds/marshs, very pretty.  It did rain today in the afternoon - lightly for about 20 minutes then harder.  We were close to a shelter and were able to get out of the rest of it.  It was cold enough that we were hiking in jackets even when it was not raining.  It is supposed to be cold tonight, 43.  Hope our light weight bags are enough (they won't be).

Today we met many people on the trail.  First we met "Blue Moon", a young guy thru hiking.  Then came "Mo Fo" who we first met last week when he was slack packing.  They both passed us but we saw them again at the top of the climb.  "Dave the Man" was there too - he is Mo Fo's hiking partner.  Both have previously thru hiked th AT.  Mo Fo is section hiking to complete the AT for the third time.  Both guys are approximately my age.  We all left together but Blue Moon left us all behind. 

A short way down the trail we met Cindy and Terry again.  We actually saw them twice as they continue their journey to hike the AT downhill.  They do not know it yet but they have been given the trail name "Drive Thru Hikers". 

We met up again with Mo Fo and Dave the Man at our campsite tonight.  We are at the Cookie Lady's farm.  She (Marilyn) and her husband Roy live on a blueberry farm just off the trail and let hikers camp there and get water.  As you might guess, she also bakes cookies for the hikers.  They were good.  Very nice people.

Shortly after we arrived, we were joined by "Knee Deep".  He started from GA in Feb. and hiked with Toe Man, Eric D. (Lead Dog), The Gent, Trek, and others.  He gave us an update.  Nature Boy finished first but had to go back to complete the section he skipped.  Toe Man finished two days later (presumably making him first - even though they are not really racing).  The others are finishing now.  Knee Deep got injured - broken bone in his left foot and shin splints in left leg.  He had to get off the trail twice.  As we were setting up our tent, he left to hike the 10 miles into Dalton that the four of us will do tomorrow. 

At dinner, "Canoe Man" arrived.  He was at Goose Pond with Mo Fo and Dave last night.  The gave him the trail name yesterday because he apparently fell out of his canoe in Goose Pond.  He had on a fleece jacket which was so water logged, that he could not swim back to the canoe.  He went under twice but finally thought to take the jacket off.  He was then able to get back and into the canoe.  He is continuing his section hike from GA to ME with a new trail name.

Hope it does not get too cold or rain tonight.