New On Cookie Lady (Mass)

[Cosmo]

Glad to hear that Marilyn and Roy are still at it, and they seem to have some family support.

Late berries might account for the increased number of reported bear interactions we've been getting at various campsites. Bear boxes are doing their job, but campers should put their food in them immediately upon arrival at the campsite.

Time for another in the endless round of bog bridge replacements in the area, including north of Pittsfield Rd/Washington Mtn Rd. We're about 5" above normal rainfall this year and it's pretty mucky out there.


Cosmo

I stopped by the Wiley's today for the first time before hiking the stretch southward to County Road. Roy was there, though Marilyn was not. He was looking a bit frail, with what appeared to be four or five family members - maybe a daughter and son-in-law and a couple grandkids. They were trying to get a gas powered push lawn mower started. I asked about the berries, and they told me it's a late year, they have a couple bushes starting to produce, but not yet full force. I plan to go back and hike the stretch to Dalton in a few weeks and check back.

They still had a sign up at the nearby trail crossing advertising Marilyn as a shuttler. I didn't see this until I got back from my hike. Fortunately, after walking 20 minutes or so north on County, I was able to hitch a ride with a nice guy driving his pickup back to Dalton, free of charge, though I offered to pay.

Cosmo, I saw Dirty and Deadline out performing maintenance just north of October Mountain Shelter. Let them know there was one puncheon board rotted out up not far from Washington Mountain Road. Trail generally was in good shape, though mucky, understandable and to be expected given the terrain. I found this relatively flat stretch of trail administered more of a beating to my feet than expected - lots of roots and a fair amount of rocks, as well.

[Driver8]

Glad to hear that Marilyn and Roy are still at it, and they seem to have some family support.

...
Time for another in the endless round of bog bridge replacements in the area, including north of Pittsfield Rd/Washington Mtn Rd. We're about 5" above normal rainfall this year and it's pretty mucky out there.
Cosmo

Hi Cosmo. Good to hear back from you! I have to say, when I met the Wiley's, there was a distinctly sad cast to them. Maybe I caught them at a bad time, but it felt to me, not knowing any more than I did and never having met them, that maybe they'd had a death in the family. I don't mean to speculate idly, but it sure felt that way. Roy had a protective cover, either leather or rubber or the like, over his left eyeglass, and felt frail and diffident to me. He was friendly enough, and having missed my interchange with one of the others, told me about the couple of productive bushes - the others had said "too soon, cold, late spring, try back."

I asked about eggs, but they were out and said the hens lately seem to be taking a break. I wasn't warmly welcomed, but I chalked this up to them being preoccupied with the cranky, very old lawn mower when I walked up. The rides sign on the AT road sign was a bit worn and old, encased in a plastic cover. Might've been there for years. I heard from other hikers that someone that day had gotten a cookie and eggs, so who knows what to make of all of it?

Thanks again to you and the crew for great work. I'd enjoy coming to help someday soon, and have a friend who could come along, maybe more. I'm follow your links and drop a note.

Finally, as I ended my hike, around 4:50 pm, there were several hikers just north of County Road chopping at a big tall leaner trying to take it down. They said they were thru-hikers, wanting to stay overnight there, and didn't want it to fall on them. I didn't linger, but found their story unusual. Is it possible I misunderstood them and they are part of your team? They did have a big thru-hiker-looking pack or two, plus a hatchet and some cord they looked to be using to guide the leaner down.

[Cosmo]

I have got the same impression from them on occasion. I think they are running out energy trying to maintain the business and living in such a (relatively) remote area--but good to hear Marilyn is getting out to shuttle here and there.

Please PM me about the hikers you observed cutting the tree. If they were carrying a hatchet, I'm doubtful they were thrus. We have seen an uptick in "stealth" camping and people "improving" campsites, so location, date and details would be helpful.

Thanks!

Cosmo

Hi Cosmo. Good to hear back from you! I have to say, when I met the Wiley's, there was a distinctly sad cast to them. Maybe I caught them at a bad time, but it felt to me, not knowing any more than I did and never having met them, that maybe they'd had a death in the family. I don't mean to speculate idly, but it sure felt that way. Roy had a protective cover, either leather or rubber or the like, over his left eyeglass, and felt frail and diffident to me. He was friendly enough, and having missed my interchange with one of the others, told me about the couple of productive bushes - the others had said "too soon, cold, late spring, try back."

I asked about eggs, but they were out and said the hens lately seem to be taking a break. I wasn't warmly welcomed, but I chalked this up to them being preoccupied with the cranky, very old lawn mower when I walked up. The rides sign on the AT road sign was a bit worn and old, encased in a plastic cover. Might've been there for years. I heard from other hikers that someone that day had gotten a cookie and eggs, so who knows what to make of all of it?

Thanks again to you and the crew for great work. I'd enjoy coming to help someday soon, and have a friend who could come along, maybe more. I'm follow your links and drop a note.

Finally, as I ended my hike, around 4:50 pm, there were several hikers just north of County Road chopping at a big tall leaner trying to take it down. They said they were thru-hikers, wanting to stay overnight there, and didn't want it to fall on them. I didn't linger, but found their story unusual. Is it possible I misunderstood them and they are part of your team? They did have a big thru-hiker-looking pack or two, plus a hatchet and some cord they looked to be using to guide the leaner down.