July 4th in was a memorable occasion. We arrived in Dalton, MA on the afternoon of the 3rd and checked in at Tom Lavardi's AT thru-hiker house/hostel. Tom has hosted hikers for 35 years allowing us to either have a room in the house or pitch in the yard. He provides laundry, showers, food and the occasional haircut. Cody Coyote was ready for one!

The morning of the 4th we got up early and walked downtown to a diner where had a wonderful breakfast of omelets and homemade fries with hiker friendly service. Relaxed with other hikers until mid-day when a BBQ lunch was provided. Hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, chips and then a neighbor brought over fresh out of the oven brownies to go with the ice cream! More hanging out till around 6pm when a new batch of hikers arrived and we had the second BBQ of the day. Yes, we partook of both and after 3 square meals in one day I think I may have even gained a pound. Next morning, before hitting the trail again, he had coffee and donuts for us too. He refuses to put out any donation box or charge a fee, but most hikers left something on his kitchen table I hope!

It was great being able to have time to talk to other hikers here and I thought I'd tell you a bit about who we hike with. Although you can walk for hours and not see anyone, you hike around the same people for a few days and then lose them, sometimes for good, sometimes for a few weeks. Some get off trail for weddings or to meet girlfriends, returning later and you never know when you'll see someone you knew. It was fun in Dalton to run into Amos who we met back at Fontana Dam and had not seen since Virginia. We also reconnected a couple weeks ago with Slacks (he began the trail wearing wool slacks but is now in a kilt), who was with Amos at Fontana Dam and Analog who is now about a week ahead of us. 

Nomad began hiking but is now driving town to town providing magic along the way including some of this 4th of July fest. His van is signed by all the hikers he meets.

In Dalton we met Lucky Strike. He was struck by lightening on the trail and lived to tell about it! Chaser chased a mail drop package for several towns before she just gave up on it - who knows where those packages go! The Triplets actually are. Pumpkin Head wears an orange shirt but that may not be how he got the name. Frost  is memorizing Robert Frost poems on trail. Rock Steady is a geologist.  Jet Pack..yep, he's fast just like a lot of the younger set.

Dalton, MA is a town that we all have contact with every day but would never know it. The picture below looks like an abandoned building, but in fact it is one of several in town that are private facilities which make the paper that your currency is printed on and has been paper money began in this country. Here's to Dalton, MA and to a great hiker hostel!