Dalton, MA and Tom Levardi

5.04. It was very cold in the Kay Wood shelter last night. I woke up at 6 AM, got up...and went back to bed. I got up at 7 AM...and went back to bed. This shivering scenario was repeated two more times, until 9 AM, when I managed to keep my feet on the floor. It was hailing when I left the shelter, but the swirling little pieces of ice soon dissapated and my walk into Dalton, MA, only three miles away was uneventful.

There is a famous trail angel in Dalton who lives right on the AT as you enter town from the south. His name is Thomas Levardi and his hospitality is legend. Tom keeps a water hose in his front yard for thirsty thru hikers, and he allows them to camp in his yard and to sleep on his porch. I was on the lookout for his house, because I knew that Magic stayed there last night, and I was hoping to do the same tonight. When I got to the house, the first thing I saw was Magic's pack on the porch. I knocked on the door, but there was no one at home, and I parked my pack on the porch and headed for the library and post office. (I signed the trail register so they would both know I was in town.) I did not expect to see Magic; I assumed he was shopping and whatever, and that when he finished his business, would probably be on his way to Katahdin. I spent an hour at the library and then walked about two miles to a major shopping center with a WalMart, a Barnes & Noble and a major grocery store. It was after 5 PM when I got back to Tom's and I was surprised to see that Magic was there. Tom soon came in and told me I could stay for the night.

The three of us went to an All-you-can-eat Chinese restaurant and then Tom drove us to a nearby mall with an EMS store. Then it was back to the house where I spent a very restful night on his porch. The next morning Tom treated us both to breakfast at the local deli only a block away. Then he drove us back to EMS, because I had forgotten to check on something I needed last night. An incredibly accommodating man, and a pleasant one.

I told them I had a maildrop waiting in Chesire, only ten miles up the road and Magic, who wanted to rest another day, suggested that we go to Chesire and get my mail, and then slackpack back to Dalton where we would again spend the night at Tom's. Then we could resume our Northern hike in the morning from Chesire. Only one hitch. We needed two rides to Cheshire; one today, and another tomorrow morning. Tom to the rescue. He took Magic and me to the Chesire Post office this morning; I put my mail in his car and then Magic and I hiked back. And Tom will take us back in the morning to resume our hikes. What can you say?

Tom has hosted thousands of At thru-hikers during the last twenty years and I can see how he developed such a stellar reputation. I have met some very nice people the past month (as I've written about), but my time with with Magic and Tom has been the highlight of my hike. They are special people.

Tomorrow, on to Maine.