August 4 - Williamstown, MA (Day 138 – milepoint 1566.8)

Wow, what a day.

To the Cheshire post office in the a.m. to pick up my new backpack and warmer clothes sent by mom. Why I waited so long to replace my uncomfortable, oversized pack, I do not know. My new pack has a few more bells and whistles than the old one, which I care less about than comfort. Hopefully, it will prove to be a good purchase.

7-1/2 miles of climbing brought me to the summit of Mount Graylock and Bascom Lodge. As I walked out of the trees into the open space approaching the lodge, I encountered Jarvis and Small World loading their packs into a car.

“Where y’all going,” I asked.

“Bob Dylan is playing at Tanglewood Music Center tonight, about 40 minutes away. Wanna come?”

“Uh, sure.” I introduced myself to the driver, Peter Pan, whose wife Timmy is thru-hiking, and loaded in for the drive down the
mountains to Williamstown, MA. I was informed that Cosmo and Land Shark were already in town working on getting us all a ride to the show. When we arrived we made little signs on cardboard that read, “We need a ride to the Dylan Concert.”

After a little while, we ran into Cosmo and LandShark who had just secured a ride for them with a nice girl named Kerri who was also checking into a ride for Jarvis, Small World and I. Kerri gave us a number to call and we spoke with John and Kevin, who offered to pick us up outside the Post Office in a couple of hours. So we removed the signs off our chests and relaxed in a grassy spot
outside a deli. Grabbed some sandwiches and had our pictures taken by a photographer from the local paper.

I soon spotted a sign that read “Swimming Pool” and decided to investigate. I entered the Williams College Student Rec Center, approached the guy at the counter named Bob, and asked him if we could go swimming.

“Are you a student here?” he asked.

“No, sir.” I replied.

“Are you here for a convention within the college?”

“Uh, no, sir.”

“Are you a student at any college?”

“Well, not right now but I graduated from college four years ago.”

“How many people are with you?”

“Two, sir.”

“Are they in school?”

“Well, one is in the middle of a year off and the other is just getting ready to go.”

Bob took a deep breath, “I guess thats close enough.”

I went back outside and had to explain to Jarvis and Small World where I had disappeared to. They accepted my explanation and Bob kindly offered to watch our packs while we swam. Diving boards and all!

So that took care of the showers we didn’t think we were going to get. A big thanks to Bob and we walked down to the Post Office to find our ride arriving as we did. John and Kevin work at a local organic farm called Caretaker Farm. They informed us we would
be meeting Cosmo and LandShark at the concert along with the rest of the farm staff – Kerry, Rebecca, and owners Elizabeth and Sam.

A 45-minute ride south took us to Tanglewood Music Center. We bought lawn tickets for $16.00 and I was allowed to bring my entire pack in with me. Rain was coming so I set up my rainfly and we threw everything underneath.

First band, BR5-49, had a fun bluegrassy sound. They were followed by Ani Difranco, who I had heard a lot about and enjoyed.

But Dylan was the show. I had heard stories about how hard it can be to catch him on a good night. Luck was on our side because even his voice was sounding good. Good for Bob Dylan fans anyway.

I was eventually able to sneak my way into the pavilion and all the way up to the front rows. I soon noticed that Cosmo, Jarvis, Small World, and LandShark had all made their way to the front as well. Three encores! A great show and oh boy what a treat for a bunch of hikers so far removed from live music for so long.

We were all invited to stay at the farm for the night. I’m in the barn and not sure where everyone else is. Too tired to find out. What a day.

Aquaholic