Day 3-They Say...

...No rain, no pain, no Maine!

March 21-Day 3
It rained on, and occasionally off (but mostly on) throughout the night. Sometimes it was so loud I put my earplugs in. While I was awake, I was thinking how I was going to handle packing up in the morning. I decided I would pack as much as I could while still in my tent, then put the umbrella over my pack while I took down the tent. Of course I would have my rain gear on. 

I woke up, again, at 7:00. It wasn’t raining, but it was pretty dreary out. I put on my rain gear (including my waterproof socks). Didn’t have to break out the umbrella to finish up, but did put my pack cover on to start out. I was sure it would rain again. 

It didn’t. After passing Hawk Mtn Shelter turn-off, the sun was starting to peek out. I removed all my rain gear except my socks (insurance, you know). At about 10:30 I decided it was going to remain nice, and my feet were boiling in my shoes with the waterproof socks. There was a nice rock and a bit of a view, so I decided a break was in order. As I was removing my hot lava socks, Doug (still no trail name) came along the trail. He had stayed at Hawk Mtn Shelter and campsite (as I suspected), and hadn’t left until 10:00. I had left at 9:00 (as usual). He said the group at the shelter had been quite the rowdy group. Of course, they are all here tonight at Gooch Mtn Shelter (more on that in a moment).

I hiked down to Cooper Gap. Doug and I talked to a gal named Rebecca. She said we were about to climb Sassafras Mtn. Yeah, it was quite the climb (just going slow, putting one foot in front of the other-yes, the old Christmas show...”Santa Claus is Coming to Town”? Was running on repeat in my head). I stopped at a view to eat some lunch. 

Still pretty much a stick forest (even though Spring has begun)

LB enjoying the view too

And, of course, Flat Will

I caught up to Doug. We hiked down Sassafras. When we looked back, it seemed like a pretty big mountain. 

Yep, we were up there. 

We arrived at Gooch Mtn Shelter about 3:15, after 8.5 miles for me. As I said earlier, the party Posse is here too. I told Doug it looks like we are the elder statesmen here. Amanda (“Forward”) is here with her tramily (Trail Family). There are more people here tonight than I’ve seen so far! 

So, due to the virus, the ATC recommends not using the privies. So far, I’ve been able to avoid them. However, here, there are so many people, and more importantly, the vegetation has been roped off to allow for revegetation. So, no place to “go” except the privy. 

I used a Clorox wipe on the seat (that I still didn’t sit on) and the handrail (that I still didn’t hang onto). 

Doug and I ate are dinners together and had a nice chat. I’m enjoying his company...not exactly a “tramily “, but it’s good. 

Here’s a final shot for the day. I’m going to bed now...it’s hiker midnight!







Comments

  1. UnknownMarch 24, 2020 at 10:26 AM

    Colleen, it looks like your adventure along the AT is off to a fine start!! Congratulations on getting a good start ... you are not missing anything out here in the "real world" except the confusing COVID 19 situation; hike on!
    Matt

    ReplyDelete

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