Tucker

Tonight we are staying in a shelter half a mile off the AT, on the Long Trail. So far the Long Trail is pretty classy, the shelter has bunk beds and a couple of LT hikers staying here with us offered us boxed wine. 
Today I hiked the 20 miles almost entirely by myself, which I wanted. However Flora and I had a bit of miscommunication whereby I ended up eating ice cream and soda at a state park picnic table a little bit off the trail for two hours, waiting for her to show up, and she skipped the park and powered on to this shelter because she figured I was already here, then arrived here and was confused. Luckily we both had cell service and touched base around 7 pm, and although I was more in the mood to stay at the state park than to hike three miles uphill to the shelter at almost dark, I do fear the wrath of one Mrs Andrea Timpone and powered up to the shelter, iPod running. I think that was the best decision I made today, tied with buying a second ice cream cookie sandwich at the state park. 
It was a cool and breezy beautiful hike, and I think late afternoon and evening is my favorite time to hike, especially hiking solo. I get to relax and be at peace with the day. Plus this shelter is cool.
The rest of the people we have been hiking with lately stayed a few miles back at a lodge. Looks like it will be just Flora and I for a couple days!