Berkshires, Part 3

This family vacation came about through a Christmas present by Hubby's parents.  They gave us and his brother's family a week at a timeshare they have. Hubby said he would like to go to New England, so that's where we headed. We spent time playing at the resort- ping pong, mini-golf, shuffleboard, hiking the resort trails, watching a movie in their theater- and also wandered around local towns enjoying milkshakes and ice cream.

 The last day that we were in the Berkshires I had the idea of hiking to the highest point in Massachusetts. Honestly, what I thought we would do was drive to the top and look around, hike some short loops at the top, enjoy a picnic, and relax. HUH! The drive to the top wasn't open yet, the ranger told us, but we could walk to the top if we drove around to the other side. It was a 3.5 mile hike. No problem I said, and off we went.

 The scenery was gorgeous. The boys took a break on the bridge to let us catch up. This stream was flowing behind and under the bridge. We became very familiar with a stream on this hike. You see, the trail the ranger suggested was 3.5 miles STRAIGHT UP A MOUNTAIN WALKING IN A STREAM BED!! The guys in my family were plotting a coupe de tat.

 We kept on trudging straight up, though, and at this point I took heart. There was a clearing at the top! I know what pure joy feels like now. I also know what pure disappointment feels like too. See the picture below.

 We still had 3/4 mile left to go!! The only thing keeping us going at this point was the need for water which we thought we would find at the top. Remember I hadn't expected to hike like this, so I didn't have water bottles for everyone. Bad idea. (But look! We are on the Appalachian Trail again! At least the boys can say they hiked part of it now too.)

 As we got closer to the top, we came upon a mountain lake. The terrain leveled off here, and we were able to enjoy the hike a bit more. This is actually where we would have hiked if the drive had been open. See, I would have been fine.

We made it! All four of us made it to the top of Mount Greylock. The view of several other states was magnificent. Beautiful, Chilly. But where's the water!!?? The water fountains don't open for two more days we were told. Oh My Word! So off we headed down the mountain to get water at our car, which thankfully I did have.
It took about 2 hours to walk up the mountain and about 1.5 to walk down. We passed people heading up and they asked us how much farther. I am sorry to say we were not very encouraging. Reality is sometimes the better way to go.