It was very hot during the night and I think I overheated a little in my mid layer. I’m still debating which cold weather clothing items to send home and when. The Canadians left camp early, while I was still packing. I’m thankful that the really cold mornings seem to be behind us. It makes life much easier.
Encounters on the trail
I leave the camp alone and walk that way for most of the day. All morning I have heard the animals running frantically near the trail, as if I were the first human being they had encountered today. I see a toad and some deer, the latter of which freezes and seems confused about how to respond to me.
I stopped briefly at the Partnership Shelter, which seemed luxurious compared to all the others, and even had hot showers. I decided to quit, as I had just left Damascus the day before. The shelter shared property with the Pat Jennings Visitor Center, and I briefly went inside to get some air conditioning. This place is so close to a main road that apparently hikers ask for takeout to be delivered to the shelter.
On my way back down the trail, I ran into another AT Trek Blogger (trail name: ‘see you tomorrow’) who is hiking the entire AT twice. In each section, walk south and then north. It’s amazing to see people challenge themselves beyond what I can imagine.
It was a hot day, and when I stopped to get water in the middle of the afternoon, I ran into Sticks (the dog) again, whom I hadn’t seen for a few days. She was still living up to her name and was also challenging herself! I mean, who would have thought I could carry a stick that big?
Colonists Museum
When we arrived at the Settlers Museum, the first thing we saw was the old Lindamood School (dated 1894). A sign indicated that they make magical trails inside during peak hiking season, but we missed it for today. We walked through the Visitor Center towards a pavilion and an open field. Hikers can camp here for free and I was amazed at how beautiful everything was.
There were bathrooms (with running water!), picnic tables, electrical outlets, and tons of flat, open space for tents. We were also only a small group here, as all the staff and other visitors had already left for the day. It was hot and breezy, and the setting sun turned everything gold. It felt like too perfect a place, a place you would want to stay forever.
We played fetch with Sticks and ate dinner at the picnic tables under the pavilion. Afterwards, everyone retired to their little corner of the field to spend the night. The only noise is the singing of frogs and the hum of electrical cables. Apparently they’ve been doing it for years. I try to disconnect and go to bed.
This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any products or services you purchase using links in articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price they would otherwise pay, and their purchase helps support The Trek’s ongoing goal of bringing you quality backpacking information and advice. Thank you for your support!
For more information, visit the About page of this site.
