Date: 2017-08-11
To: Piazza Rock Lean-to
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: light rain

8/11/17 Day 75 - 16.9 milesSpaulding Mountain Lean-to to Piazza Rock Lean-to Up at 5:15 on the trail by 6:00. I couldn't tell wether it was still dark or if it was going to rain. I've been lucky in Maine up to this point but it wasn't looking good. I heard thunder in the distance before a drop fell and morning started turning back into night as I descended into the thick pines. Then it started very lightly. Within 15 minutes it was pouring with thunder and lightning. Today's climbs were up above treeline so I had a decision to make on wether or not I attempt to go over the 3 high peaks today. There was a shelter in 6.5 miles so I had time to get there and think about it. Before the rain started, I met High Life and we celebrated no more cobwebs this morning. He's flip flopping as well but he started in WV and headed to Katahdin before heading back down to WV and continuing on to Springer- he said he's the 1st to ever do it that way a couple years ago and now the ATC is promoting HIS way. I couldn't tell how serious he was.Luckily the rain stopped by 9:00 and I had time to dry out at the shelter. I also crossed paths with Dotcom. She's a volunteer at the ATC in Harper's Ferry and she was near certain that she remembered me and I'm pretty sure she took my halfway photo. She was out with her husband and another couple just doing some trail research. She was telling me how they celebrate the end of the trail for flipfloppers like me. I have to be sure and finish on a Tuesday so I can get the Dotcom celebration!The clouds had cleared away by the time I got up to Saddleback Junior. The view was incredible! 360 degrees so I could see where I'd been the past few days and I could see where I was going next. I pushed on to The Horn where I had lunch. Again, incredible views. As I sat there eating my lunch, I noticed the clouds forming again over Saddleback but it was nice and sunny where I was and I think my clothes even dried out. On to the last climb of the day, Saddleback. As I was in the gap between the two peaks, the clouds came in fast so there wasn't much of a view at the top. I was glad to have the climbs out of the way and now only about 5 miles to the shelter, or 7 into town. With about 2 miles to the shelter, the skies opened up again and I was soaked instantly. The shelter it is tonight. I'll give it one more try. I think getting eaten by the bugs is better than setting up a tent in the mud and rain (and having to pack it up in the mud and rain as well).There was another group of young girls here out on a 10 day trip- it still amazes me how rugged these little girls are. They're from Maine but were all speaking French. They're not staying in the shelter, they set up these huge tents in the rain while the counselors make the dinner. There was also a father with 2 sons heading north to Katahdin to finish their thru-hike. Squire, Stretch (15), and Remix (13). They're from the US but have been living in Belgium for a few years now so the kids speak fluent French as well.  Out of my wet stuff and into my dry thermal layers and I still have a little battery left on my phone to watch some of a movie.