I slept in a bit and got started around 8:30am. I said goodbye to Pat, Mary, and Cat Woman. Turkish and the other NOBO hiker were long gone.
It was another nice day the trail climbed up to a long ridge then followed it for quite a few miles. A sign up top identified the ridge as part of the Eastern Continental Divide. Precipitation on one side flows to the Mississippi while the other flows to rivers toward the Atlantic Ocean.
For over a mile on top of the ridge we passed old stone piles or cairns. Supposedly these were made by early farmers. Most looked just like rock piles but a few were very purposely built with neatly arranged stones.
Upon descending from the ridge we entered a series of farm pastures which continued for at least an hour. In one was the largest tree on the Appalachian Trail. The oak is estimated to be over 300 years old. It had no leaves yet so we could see it’s whole branch structure. The base is reportedly more than 16 feet around. The timing was such that we stopped for lunch under the tree, sitting on a large log that may well have been a branch from the tree above. It was an impressive and humbling living thing.
We continued through lovely rural pastures for some time.
After the pastures we climbed again to the final ridge of the day before going down to a nicely situated shelter below. The shelter was close to a fast running stream. With the clear weather I set up my hammock but left the tarp rolled up to enjoy the night sky. And the sky cooperated all night…not a hint of rain.