Thursday 4/8

Dave said it was very very wet. Thunder, lighting and cold. Could not see the views from Mnt Albert(5,250’) as he was hiking over it. He says his boots were soaked. He could have rung out his socks – one good thing he says - now they are washed along w/all my other clothes. Only thing dry was his sleeping bag. Mr Vix and Dave kept hiking because the shelters were full and they didn’t want to set up their tents tonight in the rain (they will have enough time on their journey to do that). They traveled from Standing Indian Shelter to a town called Franklin (approx 20 mile day) and hopped on the 1st shuttle they saw and went to town. They split the room cost and spent the night at the Sapphire Inn. Very nice people. THANK YOU RON HAYDEN (he is known to hikers, is very friendly to all and provides the free shuttles amongst other services). Once they got in the hotel room they hung up their clothes all around the room to dry. Looked like a yard sale. Dave put newspaper in his boots to help them dry faster. He got a nice hot shower, some food and early to bed after a long day.