July 7 - Hiker Rate

Post date: Jul 13, 2012 3:48:10 AM

After the graciousness of the "Cookie Lady", a restful night sleep and a good breakfast, "Five Pair" and "T" headed out for the day. The day was warm and featured rocky trail and swampy surroundings.

As the day wore on, the trail turned upward with a 1,000 foot elevation change over approximately four miles and then downward toward The Cobbles, a small mountain with granite outcroppings which provides picturesque views of Mt. Greylock, the highest mountain in Massachusetts.

During the downward hike from The Cobbles towards the destination of the day, the town of Cheshire, the hikers met up with "Alpa", "Bobcat" and "Skunk Ape" who were heading towards the hiker hostel in town. While hiker hostels provide accoutrements beyond that of shelter areas, they are very basic accommodation.

Having researched the Cheshire area, "Five Pair" had located an Inn that provided a hiker rate and requested "Ground Control" to make inquiry into availability. Hiker rates at nicer establishments are typically hugely discounted accommodations based upon room availability late in the day and this was the case on this inquiry. The innkeeper indicated that it appeared that a room might be available at a hiker rate but a call back after 5pm would be necessary to confirm availability. The 5pm call was made, hiker rate acquired and soon "Five Pair" and "T" entered the historic 18th century Georgian colonial of the Harbour House Inn. Upon entry into the Inn, the hikers met Eva, the extremely accommodating innkeeper and reveled in the opportunities presented by this lovely bed and breakfast 19.1 miles after the day had started.

1573.6 miles complete/610.8 miles to go