7/21/21 Warm but not oppressive heat, thunderstorms predicted but never came. Initial hiking was fairly easy minor ups and downs. On an old mine road and there was the telephone to the wind that was cool and I called my Mom who we lost at age 59. Younger than my current age of 60. Trail was rough quite rocky going around Canopus Lake. Brief climb up Shenandoah Mountain which had a beautiful 9/11 memorial painted on the summit. Got to the RPH shelter which was amazing. More like a hostel with bunk beds, Picnic tables gallon water containers. First SOBO hiker I met there. Lots of weird looking mushrooms seen given all the rain.