Wet on Monadnock.

August 4.

It rains from time to time on our way to the mountain, the mountain-top being constantly enveloped in clouds. 
Crossing the immense rocky and springy pastures, cattle and horses gather around us while we take shelter under a black spruce from the rain.

We are wet up to our knees before reaching the steep ascent where we enter the cloud. It is quite dark and wet in the woods. 

We emerge into a lighter cloud and, choosing a place where the spruce is thick in this sunken rock yard, I cut out with a little hatchet a space for a camp.

We are wet through up to our middles, but kindle a good fire under a shelving rock, and in an hour or two are completely dried.

It begins to clear up and a star appears.

Lightning is seen far in the south. 


Cloud, drifting cloud, alternate with moonlight all the rest of the night.

H. D. Thoreau, Journal,  August 4, 1860