Samwise Hikes the Appalachian Trail! - Trail Journal -
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August 3, Riga Lean-To - mile 1484.2

I am dry & snug in this nice little shelter tonight, admiring the misty view into the valley below & counting my blessings. I arrived here at 5:30 & had enough time to get water from the spring, start to set up my tent & then rapidly change my mind as the black clouds rolled in & the wind picked up. I nearly sprinted with my pack open, things hanging out everywhere, up the hill & into the shelter & then the rain hit. It was a down pour like I haven't seen since that monsoon season I lived through in Virginia. And then it hailed, too, & my gratitude tripled! Although I was thrilled to be safe inside, I knew there were probably others coming in over those slippery rocks & I felt bad for them. But I learned when they got here that no hail hit them, so that was good.

[Click photo for larger image!]

Today was very enjoyable hiking, which I haven't said in a while, I think. We're getting back into mountainous terrain, which I find I prefer over those endless roller coaster hills. The views are becoming nicer, & even the terrain around us seems prettier. I find myself walking through huge stands of pines these days, where the trail is a carpet of needles & the air smells strongly of pine, & it's really beautiful.

And in the best news of today - I'll be hitting another state line tomorrow morning! Massachusetts awaits me only 3 miles up the trial - another state closer to Maine.