Got an early start today,  hitting the trail about 6am.

I walked confidently through the forest, after being assured of the low potential for forest fires today.

I had been looking forward to this section of trail for a while, as it takes you near the original Washington Monument.

I quickly noticed something was missing though…there was no flag flying by the monument!

I quickly remedied the problem by pulling out a little American flag from my pack.

After the monument,  the trail got pretty rocky for a couple miles.  I suppose it was a sneak preview of the infamous rocks of PA.

Finally the trail opened up into a nice grassy field for a bit.

Once through the field,  it was a couple more miles  to the shelter I camped near for the night.  Just had to cross a couple of flooded streams.

The shelter (Raven Rock) was the nicest in Maryland. I set up my hammock, ate and sat around the fire talking to a couple section hikers and a family out for a couple days

Tomorrow I will cross the Mason Dixon line and reenter the North, via Pennsylvania!