Project Eveningland

4/22/2023 Saturday

The rain came just as I laid down to sleep in my tent at Pickle Branch Shelter area this morning, after hiking through the night to avoid said rain. It’s clammy and moist down here. I am so glad not to be hiking in this.

Wedge is supposed to meet me here. I slept off and on until after one, waiting for The Shelter Codgers to leave camp—they waited out the rain—so I could eat lunch at the picnic table without having to engage with them (trust me, conversation with them would not have been optional).

I estimated Wedge would arrive at 1PM. He arrived at 1:06. It was a joy to catch up. It’s sort of neat to miss part of a story and get to hear it later.

We spent the day resting at the shelter, which is in a green, sloping valley absolutely filled with birdsong. We went down the steep path to the creek twice for water and ate in great quantities. There’s no service here. I have to hope that Ben isn’t too worried and just heads for McAfee like we discussed last night. They knew I was hiking all night and would likely spend today sleeping.