We woke up to a rainy morning at Randy’s house.  Most of the hikers were reluctant to get moving so Rabbit and I hit the trail after eating a quick breakfast.

It was only a ten mile hike to Hanover and the beginning of New Hampshire. It rained progressively harder all morning as we wound in and out of forest and clearings.

Eventually we made it across the Connecticut River and into New Hampshire!

It was a very nice little ivy league college town with Dartmouth dominating downtown.

It was Alumni weekend and despite the rain,  thousands of alums were walking everywhere in town.

We ate breakfast then reached out to several people on a list of local trail angels that take in hikers from the AT.

Allison and her husband Rob were very nice put us up for the night in their house. They had friends over for dinner that evening but welcomed us to join the for dinner.

We had a great time sitting around the table enjoying a great meal and friendly conversation. It was almost like being home among friends before the trail.  Days like this are welcome break after 1700+miles of hiking and living in the woods or the occasional hostel stay.

Meeting kind and generous people like Allison and Rob along with others we have met on the trail really make the Appalachian Trail a special journey, certainly more than just a walk in the woods.