Desperately need to get back to the trail from Boston w/ dog

[quintopia]

I need a very long shuttle. I'm in Somerville and I need to get to the trail anywhere in Western Mass. I have a quiet, gentle golden retriever who hikes with me, so many options are out. I've called the major names in the area to no avail. In particular, Dana Murphy is unavailable and the others either have not returned a call or don't travel this far. I'd really like to get out of town by tomorrow, 8/7, as I have nowhere I can stay here for an extended period. If anyone can help or knows anyone can help, please reply ASAP and I will give you my number.

[Wise Old Owl]

Its not a bad shuttle, its two hours by my estimation, one way. You are too far north for me to help. I noticed you are deep in the city of Boston suburbs. Keep making calls. Keep an eye on this thread.


If you have to bug out - I can provide temporary water-stealth holes you can walk to provided you have a filter. You can hole up for a day and work your way out of the city.... need a tighter circle to work from, as a survival situation.

[Wise Old Owl]

Welcome to Bug Out. (No Joke)

Here is a first example - in Somerville there is a "fresh pond" with lots of bike trails around it off concord avenue on the north side. At the intersections between Spinelli and Smith is a small wood with two ponds for water - good woods for the location nearby Mall within a block for wifi etc, Stealth cam with the dog. Mc Donalds is inside the mall. Plenty of places in a block or two of a tent or hammock situation where you will be left alone. There is a deeper wood near the Alewife Brook circle and Fresh pond is on the other side. This is also a landmark called Cambridge Highlands a retirement community and golf course associated nearby. Perfect for stealth for one night or two while you get out of town.


2nd place no amenities is Panther Cave near the south reservoir a mile north from the other suggestion at East Dam Road. All Water and Woods.

I will check in tomorrow to see how you are doing...

[quintopia]

I haven't yet found a ride out and will continue to spend today looking but I have already eliminated so many options I may not be able to get out today. At least I have a temporary crash pad. I scratched the internet and this apartment fell out, but no one here can drive me, and I hardly know them.

[Wise Old Owl]

OK so you have a pad great!


Jim (Jigsaw) Curtin
Lee, MA
(413) 243-4062

(before 9pm)
jigsaw68
[email protected]
CT, MA, and southern VT.
Albany and Hartford airports. Weekends
anytime, Monday-Friday after 5pm.

Park Taxi
Lee, MA
(413)243-0020


Roy & Marilyn Wiley

Washington, MA

(413) 623-5859

[email protected]
Kent, CT to Manchester, VT; also

Hartford, CT and Albany, NY airports

[Wise Old Owl]

Dave Ackerson
North Adams, MA
[email protected]
(413) 346-1033

From Hudson River, NY to Hanover, NH;
also Albany, NY and Hartford, CT airports.

[Bobby]

Dave Ackerson
North Adams, MA
[email protected]
(413) 346-1033

From Hudson River, NY to Hanover, NH;
also Albany, NY and Hartford, CT airports.


Just curious - are you a thru hiker looking to return to the trail or section hiker looking to get on the trail?
Telling us a little about your situation could help.
Can you meet up anywhere outside of boston heading west - even if it's just a little way?

[Wise Old Owl]

Hey Bobby,quintopia (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/member.php?34685-quintopia) is looking to get out of town in Massachusetts

[Bobby]

Hey Bobby,quintopia (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/member.php?34685-quintopia) is looking to get out of town in Massachusetts


ya - I see that. I don't know why i quoted your post on the other message. I just click on "reply", but it actually reads "reply with quote".So I guess I end up quoting whatever was just posted.

I thought I might be able to help, but I haven't heard anything. Besides I'd like to know a little more about the person in need of help before I decide what I can and can't do.

[Sly]

How desperate can he be?

He shouldn't be far from Rt 2 and could hitch to Williamstown. With a little bit of luck, he could be there in 4-5 hours.

https://www.google.com/maps/preview?hl=en&authuser=0#!data=!4m29!3m28!1m5!1sSomerville%2C+MA !2s0x89e377297bf5e165%3A0x7a907799d8f97b03!3m2!3d4 2.3875968!4d-71.0994968!1m5!1sWilliamstown%2C+MA!2s0x89e0b111fa 562f95%3A0x444616296f5399df!3m2!3d42.7120196!4d-73.2036898!2e0!3m8!1m3!1d837890!2d-72.1514669!3d42.4615951!3m2!1i661!2i427!4f13.1!6m2 !1m1!1e4!8m2!1e1!2b1!6m1!1e1&fid=0i1

[quintopia]

I made it back to the trail. I'm going to say how because I never would have thought of this by myself, and I think it's a really clever trick.

I drove myself to Torrington, CT, and Hudson at Bearded Woods gave me a ride back to Salisbury from there.

How did I drive myself to Torrington when no rental car companies will let you drop off a one-way rental further west than Hampton?

I rented a box van from Penske. Moving truck companies are already set up for one-way rentals: it's an integral part of their business. They don't let you rent for less than 2 days, but for those two days, the truck is actually cheaper than the average economy rental car for the same time span. With the AAA and web discounts, the rental was only $120, which is less than half of what I would have expected to pay for a shuttle with a driver to go that distance. And no hitch-hiking, which is ridiculously difficult from Boston, necessary!

Hope this helps someone else.