Samwise Hikes the Appalachian Trail! - Trail Journal -
	Home	| Updates	| Map	| Journal	| Photos	| Resources	| FAQ

May 28, Rice Field/Star Haven Shelter - mile 624.7

There's six people here already & I think all six of us have asked why it says Star Haven on this shelter, when the book calls it Rice Field. The only explanation I've heard so far is that the pasture out front is a great place for star gazing assuming the sky is clear. It seems more plausible than the idea that there's a rice field nearby, although with all the rain lately, rice might actually be a feasible crop these days.

Well, I tore myself away from town around 11 this morning, after a phone call to Tony & one last pint of chocolate mile from the gas station. I had a hard time leaving today - I guess because the sky was gray, the forecast was for rain & I expected the trail to be a mud slide again. But I knew if I waited until tomorrow, I would be leaving with a huge group of people, which means crowded shelters again, and I'm tired of that, too.

So off I went, at what was likely the slowest pace I've ever made. The first 5 1/2 miles took 3 hours, even though the trail has dried considerably. It was steep uphill climbing (as always when leaving towns) but what really slowed me down was the nausea & light-headedness. I had the same trouble the last time I left town, & then I was hypothizing that I might be low on iron. But it seems curious that I only have the experience on my first day out of town. I don't understand what it is, but just in case, I am having a re-hydrated hamburger for supper tonight.

After that, I had basically finished the worst of the uphill & the rest of the hike on was quite nice. Up along the ridge line here, you get a lot of views of the valley below. If it were clear enough, I could probably even see our motel down there. But tonight we'll be cozy here in the shelter & hopefully free of loud snorers.....