Date: 2019-05-17
From: Limestone Spring Shelter 

To: Riga Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Relaxing day today.I woke up at 9 and didn't get on the trail till 9:45. I couldn't believe how fast I got into town though! I wasn't sore from yesterday and I warmed up my legs pretty fast. I covered the 4 miles in just over an hour. It was good timing. The rain started coming down hard just as I got to the road.Nice people in Salisbury! I got a quick hitch in (just enough time to put on my rain jacket) and was dropped off right in front of the grocery store. Really nice selection! I shouldn't have gone in so hungry, but I came out with the right amount of food plus an apple and banana.I didn't even have time to finish the apple before I was picked up again heading to Lakeville where a nice sandwich shop was recommended by the staff at the grocery store.It was a great find. It's call 'On the Run' and it's a coffee/sandwich family owned deli that is clearly the local meeting place. I got a corned beef sandwich with chips and a hot chocolate for lunch then set about charging my camera, nook, and phone. I ordered some inserts, permethrin, and socks from REI (anniversary sale happening now!) and planned out the rest of Massachusetts into Vermont. I watched the rain and made some phone calls throughout the afternoon. Locals came in and out and all seemed to know each other and meet at regular times. The staff was kind and didn't give me a hard time for crashing their place all afternoon. A man offered to take me to the trail early on and I politely declined. I ordered another sandwich around 3 (liverwurst and cheese) and then packed up everything to hit the trail. The rain had stopped and the first car pulled over as soon as I stuck out my thumb. Turns out his niece is thru hiking this year and is down in Damascus for trail days. It was good to talk with him about the community on the trail and some of his stories from his 500 mile section hike in the 70s.The sun came out as soon as I started hiking. It was a pretty even climb up and there were Gatorades at the base of the mountain! The view from Lions head was impressive but the clouds of knats were very thick on the rocks. I was able to brave it long enough to snap a picture, get a video, then hustle out of there to clean the 20 flys off me that started to bite.The shelter was a festive event tonight. Truly wonderful people are here and I think we make a bakers dozen. Everyone is kind, talkative, attentive, intelligent, and respectful. We shared stories, dinner, stretches, and even touched on solving a few world problems (but thankfully not too many). There's a 19 year old from Princeton who was very pleasant to talk with and asked great questions concerning the hike and also my future as a teacher. There are two thru hikers from 2017 here along with a February starter. One guy is from Leadville, CO and the rest are from the New England area.We're having a group yoga class in the morning along with sunrise pictures taken by a professional photographer. This shelter has an incredible view and I'm very glad to have chosen it this evening. I'm very much looking forward to more company as the weather gets nicer and schools get out.I had a space ice cream sandwich tonight for dessert. I love section hikers.1500 mile marker - checkSunrise at Riga shelter - checkLevi