Samwise Hikes the Appalachian Trail! - Trail Journal -
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September 6, Secret Campsite - mile 1866

Indeed, I am "stealth-camping" tonight in an almost-flat spot that I'm not really supposed to be in. In fact, I had to clear away a lot of branches piled up by the trail crew - their attempt to keep people from camping here. I will actually pile them back up in the morning, so that I don't encourage any others who see my freshly flattened space. I'm not sure, but I think the reason it's an "illegal" spot is because it's not far enough off the trail. In the Whites, you're not supposed to camp anywhere except designated sites, and though I think I'm out of the Whites now, I recall seeing something about 200 feet from trails, rivers, shelters, roads, parking lots, trees, grass, rocks, etc. Oops, I'm getting carried away.

Well, I didn't get all the way to town today, but I figure I'm saving myself some money as a result. My logic goes like this: if I had hiked into town tonight, arriving about 9PM, I likely would take tomorrow off anyway just to recover, therefore incurring 2 nights' lodging and food expense. Instead, I'll get up early in the morning to hike in the last 4 miles, and spend the rest of the day running errands and recuperating and pay for only one night at the hostel. In fact, I would like very much to get my own room in the hotel part, or at least share a room because I really want to sleep a lot and that's almost impossible in a hostel. I feel a little bit like I'm coming down with a cold or something - lots of dizziness lately and a sore throat and cough these past two days. A day of sleep and lots of fluids ought to help considerably, methinks.

Right now I'm enjoying a cup of the most fabulous tea I've ever had, sent to me by my friend Esther in the Netherlands. It's supposed to be good for putting a person to sleep, so this entry may soon be coming to an end, as I nod off here! Tony has also gotten a huge package at home from my friend Giovanna in Italy, and I can hardly wait to start getting some of her treats in my next mail drops. He brought up a couple of things last weekend when he visited and they were SO good!

Well, I believe it's time to see what effect this tea has. I feel absolutely beat tonight, so hopefully even these many rocks and roots under me and the constant slide into the foot of my tent won't keep me awake for long.