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

August 15, Big Branch Shelter - mile 1648.1

If today wasn't the most perfect weather I've seen! WOW, what a gorgeous day it was, starting off cool for a big climb this morning, warming up to maybe 70 or so for the rest of the day. First off, I climbed Bromley Mountain - not an easy job, but the rewards on top were worth it! In the winter, Bromley is a big ski area, so there's a chair lift, warming hut & an observation tower built on top. The lift isn't running this time of year, otherwise that would have been a fun ride. I didn't know what I was seeing when I first reached the summit - the controls for the lift are housed in a contraption that looks like a shuttle craft from Star Trek! I climbed up into the observation deck & had a view of all the mountains for miles & miles around. It was phenomenal!

Tonight I have a nearly perfect camp spot near a very loud, boulder-choked creek, which should easily drown out any noise that might keep me awake. I had actually planned to stop at the shelter two miles prior, because my feet & back are aching from my new gear. However, there was a large-ish group of kids & counselors there & they had taken every tent site as well as spread everything they owned around in the shelter & on the picnic table. It was one of those situations where I walked in & though, "I don't want to deal with this". Even though they offered to move & were nice enough folks, I figured I probably wouldn't get much sleep there tonight.

So here I am in a much better spot anyway, & I'm so excited that the sky looks clear for the evening so that I can finally get a chance to watch the meteor showers tonight. I've been trying every night for about 2 weeks to see them & every time I get up at night, it's been cloudy! Talk about frustrating. These are the Perseids, the best & brightest of the year & I'm already two days past peak viewing but no matter. I have the perfect rock picked out in the stream where I'm going to watch from tonight.