Miles today: 20.7
Total miles: 1140.0
We had a lazy morning with lots of breaks. After about three miles we crossed the mason Dixon line from PA into Maryland. State number 9! The trail then went straight through a state park with a beautiful scenic overlook. We lounged on the benches there for an hour or so. Then we got back to walking and took a long lunch at Raven Rock Shelter. The shelter was just built in 2010 and was so nice. It looked like a little Lincoln log cabin and had two floors and nice big windows and fire pit with benches around it. It was pretty chilly out today though, probably in the 50s so I cut my lunch shorter than the guys and set off walking again around 1230. The rest of the day the trail was pretty easy. Maryland has been more rocky than I expected but nothing I can’t handle. Toward the end of the day three miles from the shelter for the night I met a guy who had thru hiked three times before. His trail name is Hit. He was really interesting and had some great advice, having hiked both north and southbound and learned a lot about what works and doesn’t. Even better, he stopped by the shelter after I got there and gave Blondie and me the best trail magic. He’d just been out for a night and gave us nearly all his leftover food (and his two friends, Czech girls also gave us theirs). We were so grateful and amazed by his generosity–we devoured the chips, sausages, chocolate, gummy worms, and even beer. He also gave me new batteries for my headlamp which I desperately needed. I hope to be able to give backto the trail and future thru hikers in a similar way after I finish. Well it’s off to bed for me. It is supposed to be cold and rainy all day tomorrow. And for the next few days I think. Not looking forward to it but oh well, what can you do.