7/21/03 After 2.1 miles we made it to the junction of the Pine Cobble Trail and the Appalachian Trail. Tumble points the way north to Vermont, now only 1.3 miles away.

Tumble: "As soon as we started hiking up I started slowing down. My pledge to myself is not to hike beyond my "wheeze" level. No fainting and no falling down! Since Rough is a faster hiker and we wanted to hike together we decided that I would lead and set the pace: slow but sure on the ups, and quick and careful on the downs and flats. The only disadvantage for me is having to break the cobwebs on the trail. Even when someone passes us the spiders seem to get right out there and string the web up again. I can tell you that spiders' webs sting eyes and taste bitter."