Date: 2007-09-09
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: light rain

mi. 8.9sleep shelterdest. Goddard Shelter day 59 Well today didn't see any big mileage, but I'm happy. More importantly I'm warm, dry, and happy. The big rain last night never did happen. I awoke in the middle of the night to lightning and a little rain, but not much else. I woke up, ate some breakfest, and packed up. Then the rain came. I have been really lucky with the weather. This is the first rain day since the going over mount Washington. The area really needs the rain to. All the springs and streams are getting low. Catz and I sat in the shelter for awhile and made a second batch of coffee for the morning. Neither of us were in a big hurry to go hiking in the rain. Though Maine and in the Whites I proved to myself that I can hike in bad weather. Now it's just a matter of if I want to or not. Really the answer is not today. We waited around until 9am to get started, after the rain stopped. Which in itself isn't that bad. Only an hour or so later than usual. Before we left we saw a small trash bag haning from a tree. We decided to clean out the shelter a little. We burned part of a book that was left along with some trash. Inside the bag was some clothes. Catz sore the pants were men's. But I still think the were women's old navy fleece pants. He almost wore them today. It would have been pretty funny, since they are more of a capri pants. It also had in it a hawiian shit with the sleeves cut off. Catz ended up hiking it in. He was styling in that, his John Travolta shirt, and patagonia bankers pants. something that you would have to see for yourself. The hiking in this section is really chill. Nothing too bad at all. All the climbs are small and the grades continue to be easy. It wsn't raining during the morning, but it sure was wet. The clouds were low and getting everything including myself wet. Today was another day of close shelters. The first one in was only 4 or so miles away. Really we should of hiked on to here last night, but oh well I enjoyed the company. I really need to work on my making a decision and going with it. But it all worked out in the end. Right after leaving the shelter around noon it started raining. This was the anoyying rain that gets you soaked, but it's too warm or not raining enough for rain gear. I made good time and got to the next shelter an hour and a half later. Shortly after Catz rolls up. We think about it for awhile and decide that we had enough hiking in the rain for one day. I feel like I enjoyed but don't remeber too much of the hiking today. Most of that was due to the rain. My glasses were fogging up and making it hard to see. Other than a couple cool beaver damns there really wasn't much else. There was an old fire tower just before the shelter. I decided not t make the hike u since i was all socked i and I was getting cold. We were talking and the town of Bennington is an easy hitch off of the next road only 10 miles away. So taking a short day will not hurt too much food wise. That also ment I could bunge on my food bag. I ended up eating 2 batches of coffee, 2 dinners, one cinibun, some cookies, and 1 thing of vinella pudding. A great first and second breakfest. The best part was we stopped early enough for a short nap inbetween. I decided to shelter once again. More out of lazyness than anything. I set up my tarp blocking the wind and mist from coming in the shelter. It is still raining pretty good. It's nice to know I don't need it, but it's great to take advantage of them on days like today. It's still raining pretty good. This shelter also has a porch area. Besides I got the chance to have some great conversation with a mother and son staying here that are hiking a section of the long trail.