Still more Berkshires, 6/8, 6/9 08

On the east side of the pond at Beartown, the Benedict Pond Loop Trail hooks up with the Appalachian Trail. The whole trail system is gorgeously maintained and well-marked, and we found the AT without any problem, and hiked a handful of miles of it on Monday, up to the first shelter. G got to check out the shelter, read the log book and talk to some backpackers, who were packing with/for their 70 year old grandfather, who is hiking the entire trail, Georgia to Maine.

I'd like to hike it, one of these years. The whole thing.

G was amazing.

The lower set of campsites are right on Benedict Pond. Our site (12), was the closest to the pond path, and so it was actually closer for us to walk to the pond beach building and use the regular flush toilets than go up to the compositing toilets up by the road. The walk along the lake didn't suck at all.

G loved these geese and their goslings, who were around all weekend.

The beach area is well kept; the whole park was stunning. Particularly for kids, just the right amount of remote but also convinent.

A huge thunderstorm wet all our wood, except for the small amount I brought into the truck, which was still damp. I got it going anyway, with copious amounts of lighter fluid.

G made me buy an LED lamp at KMart for $9 for reading in the tent. Turns out to be the best $9 I ever spent. The kid had serious camping sense.

G and Kate, the Berkshires, June 08

This is mostly the ride up to the Berkshires and Monument Mountain.

K H and yellowdog at Nobscot

Super, super hike, if a little weird with the mass graves and other bizarre scenery.

We spotted a beautiful Scarlet Tanager, but never got close enough to take its picture.

K, H and yellowdog at Blue Hills, 4 22 08

Absolutely gorgeous weather, great company, awesome dog.