Tom Myers
July 12, 1981 - Farmers Mill Shelter to Pawling N.Y. Pavilion-
It is Sunday so I decided to stay for another day and get my mail at post office on Monday morning. Went into town to
get some groceries. Ate ice cream with Pete outside store. I called mom and dad and talked to my sister Kelly on her
birthday. It is so nice here. I have been swimming two times today and plan to go again before the day is out. My
average dai1y mileage is 13.3. I am going to bed at 9:00 p.m. Tom and Emily are here too. This is the first time I
have see them since Virginia. Tom and Emily had two sons back at home. I stayed with them two nights in a row back
in Virginia when I stayed at Matt’s Creek Shelter and Johns Hollow shelter. The shelters were only 5 miles apart but
they stayed at both of them in honor of their sons, Matt and John!!! Tom and Emily finished at Katahdin about 10
days before me.
July 13, 1981 - Pawling N.Y. pavilion to Unknown Shelter-
Did lousy miles today. I had no get-up. I got to post office and got my first and only care package of the entire trip
from mom. I also got a letter from mom and one from dad. I got a letter my sister Richa sent me in Port Clinton Penn.
I wrote Richa and Danny a letter, Chief a letter, and Melodye a letter. It started to thunderstorm so I stopped at
shelter. Too hot! I am beat. Tomorrow is another day. I am alone here at this shelter. This is my last night in New
York. Kent Conn. here I come. This shelter had a very cold spring which was boxed entirely underground.
July 14, 1981 - No shelters noted-
I took an easy A .T. condoned short cut today and got here with time to spare. I sent my tent back to Ohio at Kent
Conn. I will try for big miles tomorrow. It should be easy walking. I have little weight in my pack. Getting rid of the tent
helps a lot. A woman hollered and whistled at me today as she passed me in her car. Ha! I am not used to that. I
am alone here and glad. I need to rest more now than ever. I really have been run down lately. I hope I am not
going to break down! I will not push myself. I'll still see Maine if I do only 10 miles a day. I can see victory or at least
smell it. I know it will come. The nights become long when the end is in sight! Oh, how I can hardly wait for this day
when I see Katahdin from on top! The thrill of victory and the agony of the feet!
July 15, 1981 - to Mountain Brook Shelter-
I left Mountain Brook lean-to at 6:30 a.m. Easy walking into Cornwall bridge Conn. I picked up $2.00 worth of deposit
back cans on my way to the package store. They are everywhere! Stopped in at the package store and turned them
in. They give through hikers a beer when they come by. I drank one and almost got drunk. I picked up my mail and
got letters from mom and dad and Chief. Walked by gigantic pine trees today. Some are 12-15 feet around. A very
pretty day of walking. I hope this is a preview of things to come. New York and New Jersey were so dirty! Conn. is
already much cleaner. I made it to Pine Knoll lean-to at 7:00 p.m. I am alone again here tonight. I had Mac and
cheese and tuna for supper again. This is an old and in need of repair shelter.
July 16, 1981 -Pine Knoll Shelter to Brassie Brook Shelter-
Left shelter at 6:45 a.m. I got very cold last night. I walked a quick four miles through very pretty Deans Ravine and
stopped at U.S. 7 and got ice tea at a coffee shop there. Walked a hard five more miles a Salisbury Conn. Turn off
and instantly got a ride to town where I got a letter from mom and dad. (there had been a small article in the
newspaper and mom sent it). I stopped many times on my way out of town and took my time while enjoying the
excellent views. While in town I bought another pair of walking shorts, since the ones I am wearing are about wore
out. I took a lot of pictures of Lion’s Head. There was a very good view from here. I made it to a new shelter by the
name of Brassie Brook lean-to. It was made of log with a wood plank floor. A perfect day and very nice walking also.
Over all very nice scenery and very nice total walking. Tomorrow I will see Mass.
July 17, 1981 - Brassie Brook Shelter to Near Sages Ravine camp-
Left shelter at 6:20 a.m. Walked 1.4 miles to the top of Bear Mountain. Took several pictures including one of a
monument of stone, which was the world’s largest carne. A carne is a pile of rocks which is used to mark something
with. In this case it marked the summit of Bear Mountain. This is also the highest point in Conn. I had breakfast on
top of the monument! Left there at 7:30 a.m. and walked off of the mountain and crossed into Massachusetts. I
walked through Sages Ravine. This is a most beautiful ravine descending through a creek and numerous waterfalls.
Large trees were also here since it is almost impossible to get any logging equipment in here. I washed up in the
creek and washed out a shirt. I hiked in rough terrain till Jug End road where I had five miles of road walking. I was
very low on water and in need of cleaning up since it was a hot day. ((Mid-90s)) I passed Jug End spring which was a
very big piped in spring. It was very nice on this very hot and dusty day. (Ah!) I then walked a fast five miles to U.S.
Route 7 and hitched a ride to Sheffield. I was going to stay at the American youth hostel but I found out that it was
about six miles away. Piss on that! I got some eats and up the trail I went. I walked 1 ½ more miles and camped out
in the open with a little creek close by. I hope it doesn't rain. I am only equipped with a poncho for a cover. If it rains
I get wet. I sent my tent home in Kent Conn.
July 18, 1981 -No name Shelter new one-
Did a lousy mileage but had a great time today. In the end this is why I came on his trip. Stopped at Benedict Pond
and for two hours swam and shot the bull. I am becoming a celebrity now after 1500 miles. The non hiker can't
believe it! I'm 55 miles from Vermont! Wow! Going to leave early tomorrow. I need food bad!! I am almost out. It
just rained. I got soaked. (No name shelter.)
July 19, 1981 - No Name Shelter to October Mountain Shelter-
Left very late, 7:30 AM or so. Got into Tyringham Mass. I am glad I did not have a mail drop here. It is Sunday and I
would have had to have it forwarded. This town is so small that it only has a few houses and a post office. I wrote
mom and dad a letter along with Chief. Walked by goose pond and over Mass. turnpike and hitched into East Lee
where I bought enough food to get to Dalton Mass. Got in and out of town in less than 20 minutes. Easy ride! Went
swimming in Finnery Pond. Very clean and very nice. This used to be the water supply for a nearby town but that
was many years before. Very clean. Made another four miles to October Mountain lean-to. I'll go into Dalton early. I’
ll try to leave by 5:30 a.m. I need to get boots worked on again. I'm only 325 miles away from the Maine border!!!!!
Hall ass! Look out Katahdin, here I come!
July 10, 1981 - October Mountain Shelter- To Dalton Mass.-
Left at 8:00 a.m. because of the rain. I made it to Dalton by l2:30. Rained on me most of the way. Pete Peterson
was in Dalton. He had been there a day already. He was waiting on me to get there and since it was raining it was
even better excuse to stay another day. This place is great! - sauna, pool, ping pong, pool, weight lifting room. We
are staying at the Community House, run by the city of Dalton and free of charge to all hikers. A female ridge runner
who worked for state came in and stayed also. She backpacks like we do and watches over the trail in the state of
Mass. only. “a very nice and pretty girl”. five foot three and 105 pounds, blond. Fox! Pete and I sat around and
talked to Laura Russell all evening, went swimming together in the indoor pool and talked of the trail. She gave me
her address and telephone number. Love at first site! She invited me to Boston after my trip to see her Father's
apple orchard. She had a degree in Biology, and has taken a lot of schooling in wilderness survival. Maybe I need to
break a leg in the woods. One last word, WOW!
It is Sunday so I decided to stay for another day and get my mail at post office on Monday morning. Went into town to
get some groceries. Ate ice cream with Pete outside store. I called mom and dad and talked to my sister Kelly on her
birthday. It is so nice here. I have been swimming two times today and plan to go again before the day is out. My
average dai1y mileage is 13.3. I am going to bed at 9:00 p.m. Tom and Emily are here too. This is the first time I
have see them since Virginia. Tom and Emily had two sons back at home. I stayed with them two nights in a row back
in Virginia when I stayed at Matt’s Creek Shelter and Johns Hollow shelter. The shelters were only 5 miles apart but
they stayed at both of them in honor of their sons, Matt and John!!! Tom and Emily finished at Katahdin about 10
days before me.
July 13, 1981 - Pawling N.Y. pavilion to Unknown Shelter-
Did lousy miles today. I had no get-up. I got to post office and got my first and only care package of the entire trip
from mom. I also got a letter from mom and one from dad. I got a letter my sister Richa sent me in Port Clinton Penn.
I wrote Richa and Danny a letter, Chief a letter, and Melodye a letter. It started to thunderstorm so I stopped at
shelter. Too hot! I am beat. Tomorrow is another day. I am alone here at this shelter. This is my last night in New
York. Kent Conn. here I come. This shelter had a very cold spring which was boxed entirely underground.
July 14, 1981 - No shelters noted-
I took an easy A .T. condoned short cut today and got here with time to spare. I sent my tent back to Ohio at Kent
Conn. I will try for big miles tomorrow. It should be easy walking. I have little weight in my pack. Getting rid of the tent
helps a lot. A woman hollered and whistled at me today as she passed me in her car. Ha! I am not used to that. I
am alone here and glad. I need to rest more now than ever. I really have been run down lately. I hope I am not
going to break down! I will not push myself. I'll still see Maine if I do only 10 miles a day. I can see victory or at least
smell it. I know it will come. The nights become long when the end is in sight! Oh, how I can hardly wait for this day
when I see Katahdin from on top! The thrill of victory and the agony of the feet!
July 15, 1981 - to Mountain Brook Shelter-
I left Mountain Brook lean-to at 6:30 a.m. Easy walking into Cornwall bridge Conn. I picked up $2.00 worth of deposit
back cans on my way to the package store. They are everywhere! Stopped in at the package store and turned them
in. They give through hikers a beer when they come by. I drank one and almost got drunk. I picked up my mail and
got letters from mom and dad and Chief. Walked by gigantic pine trees today. Some are 12-15 feet around. A very
pretty day of walking. I hope this is a preview of things to come. New York and New Jersey were so dirty! Conn. is
already much cleaner. I made it to Pine Knoll lean-to at 7:00 p.m. I am alone again here tonight. I had Mac and
cheese and tuna for supper again. This is an old and in need of repair shelter.
July 16, 1981 -Pine Knoll Shelter to Brassie Brook Shelter-
Left shelter at 6:45 a.m. I got very cold last night. I walked a quick four miles through very pretty Deans Ravine and
stopped at U.S. 7 and got ice tea at a coffee shop there. Walked a hard five more miles a Salisbury Conn. Turn off
and instantly got a ride to town where I got a letter from mom and dad. (there had been a small article in the
newspaper and mom sent it). I stopped many times on my way out of town and took my time while enjoying the
excellent views. While in town I bought another pair of walking shorts, since the ones I am wearing are about wore
out. I took a lot of pictures of Lion’s Head. There was a very good view from here. I made it to a new shelter by the
name of Brassie Brook lean-to. It was made of log with a wood plank floor. A perfect day and very nice walking also.
Over all very nice scenery and very nice total walking. Tomorrow I will see Mass.
July 17, 1981 - Brassie Brook Shelter to Near Sages Ravine camp-
Left shelter at 6:20 a.m. Walked 1.4 miles to the top of Bear Mountain. Took several pictures including one of a
monument of stone, which was the world’s largest carne. A carne is a pile of rocks which is used to mark something
with. In this case it marked the summit of Bear Mountain. This is also the highest point in Conn. I had breakfast on
top of the monument! Left there at 7:30 a.m. and walked off of the mountain and crossed into Massachusetts. I
walked through Sages Ravine. This is a most beautiful ravine descending through a creek and numerous waterfalls.
Large trees were also here since it is almost impossible to get any logging equipment in here. I washed up in the
creek and washed out a shirt. I hiked in rough terrain till Jug End road where I had five miles of road walking. I was
very low on water and in need of cleaning up since it was a hot day. ((Mid-90s)) I passed Jug End spring which was a
very big piped in spring. It was very nice on this very hot and dusty day. (Ah!) I then walked a fast five miles to U.S.
Route 7 and hitched a ride to Sheffield. I was going to stay at the American youth hostel but I found out that it was
about six miles away. Piss on that! I got some eats and up the trail I went. I walked 1 ½ more miles and camped out
in the open with a little creek close by. I hope it doesn't rain. I am only equipped with a poncho for a cover. If it rains
I get wet. I sent my tent home in Kent Conn.
July 18, 1981 -No name Shelter new one-
Did a lousy mileage but had a great time today. In the end this is why I came on his trip. Stopped at Benedict Pond
and for two hours swam and shot the bull. I am becoming a celebrity now after 1500 miles. The non hiker can't
believe it! I'm 55 miles from Vermont! Wow! Going to leave early tomorrow. I need food bad!! I am almost out. It
just rained. I got soaked. (No name shelter.)
July 19, 1981 - No Name Shelter to October Mountain Shelter-
Left very late, 7:30 AM or so. Got into Tyringham Mass. I am glad I did not have a mail drop here. It is Sunday and I
would have had to have it forwarded. This town is so small that it only has a few houses and a post office. I wrote
mom and dad a letter along with Chief. Walked by goose pond and over Mass. turnpike and hitched into East Lee
where I bought enough food to get to Dalton Mass. Got in and out of town in less than 20 minutes. Easy ride! Went
swimming in Finnery Pond. Very clean and very nice. This used to be the water supply for a nearby town but that
was many years before. Very clean. Made another four miles to October Mountain lean-to. I'll go into Dalton early. I’
ll try to leave by 5:30 a.m. I need to get boots worked on again. I'm only 325 miles away from the Maine border!!!!!
Hall ass! Look out Katahdin, here I come!
July 10, 1981 - October Mountain Shelter- To Dalton Mass.-
Left at 8:00 a.m. because of the rain. I made it to Dalton by l2:30. Rained on me most of the way. Pete Peterson
was in Dalton. He had been there a day already. He was waiting on me to get there and since it was raining it was
even better excuse to stay another day. This place is great! - sauna, pool, ping pong, pool, weight lifting room. We
are staying at the Community House, run by the city of Dalton and free of charge to all hikers. A female ridge runner
who worked for state came in and stayed also. She backpacks like we do and watches over the trail in the state of
Mass. only. “a very nice and pretty girl”. five foot three and 105 pounds, blond. Fox! Pete and I sat around and
talked to Laura Russell all evening, went swimming together in the indoor pool and talked of the trail. She gave me
her address and telephone number. Love at first site! She invited me to Boston after my trip to see her Father's
apple orchard. She had a degree in Biology, and has taken a lot of schooling in wilderness survival. Maybe I need to
break a leg in the woods. One last word, WOW!
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