July 1 / 2

Uh 1, uh 2, uh 1,2,3,4  🎼 Singing in the rain, Just singing in the rain,
What a glorious feelin, I'm happy again, Just singing.....singing.....in the rain.  🎼

Got an early morning ride from Dancing Bones campsite to the city of Lincoln, New Hampshire.  The rain is heavy and relentless.  ☔  In Lincoln I went to Chester West's AT hostel where I was just able to secure a spot on the couch.  All of the bunks were taken.  He doesn't advertise his place in any guidebook but rather uses word of mouth from thru hikers.  The place is on a donation basis and right now is about full.  Anyone else coming today will have to sleep on the floor.

July 2   There were 20 + people at the hostel last night.  I went to the Mc D's early this morning to use their wifi.  I've decided to stay there another night and wait for the weather to improve.  I haven't come all this way not to have the great, clear views from the upcoming peaks in the White Mountains. 

The birch tree is ubiquitous in northern New England.  I really love the way they look.  They remind me of the aspen trees we have in the mountains of New Mexico and they line the AT.  Their wood is used for many things such as musical instruments, medicinal use, and of course paper.  The bark of the trees were used for manuscripts as early as the 1st century.  It easily peels off looking like a scroll.