Date: 2016-04-26
From: Wilbur Dam Rd

To: N Meadow mm 448.1
Miles today: 16.9

Meadow MM 448.116.9O-21Kincora's Epilogue. I feel it was an honor and pleasure to stay at Kincora's and visit with Bob Peoples. He has done more for the AT and us hikers than the next 10 people combined. My original plans was to meet Bob Sun to 1) express my appreciation for all his support 2) reminisce about my 2010 visit (my thank you post card is on the inside door sill just above the light) 3) ask how to get into the Braemer Castle since Brown's Grocery ( the inn keeper was closed on Sun) and 4) inquire about Fahmah, a 2010 hiker who works Hardcore with Bob. There is a notice in the guidebook and at the hostel entrance that no dogs are allowed. I had Berk cabled to a tree near the entrance and Bob gave me a waiver to stay with Berk if I kept her in the Executive suite. And we didn't harm any cats, Bob has 17 felines and 3 raccoons. I have always believed there is a special place in heaven for those who care for severely ill and disabled. Bob has earned another place. He has put up a hiker, Wolf, and his Catahoula Hound, Duncan, in a cabin behind the hostel. Wolf's body is being ravaged by leukemia and just left the hospital after some major surgery   we fixed a couple of meals for Wolf. Berk and I visited am and pm. It was funny to watch Berk play alpha dog with Duncan, who was easily twice her size. So please add a short prayer for Wolf for a speedy recoveryToday was nearly perfect. I had cooked up breakfast the nite before and left in the fridge to be heated up this am. I was up at 0500 and put the dish in the oven to warm up. Someone started the coffee and were good to go shortly after 0630. I had a leisurely breakfast and several ( many) cups of coffee as we scheduled our shuttle departure for 0830. We went to the Wilbur Dam Rd and Buzzard was off hiking. I stayed to conduct some phone business andpribably followed 1/2 later. It was a brisk 1900' climb to start. We got to the first shelter and Buzzard had to prod a timber rattlesnake off the path I had a quick snack and water break and on to the next shelter. I passed QueenSweeper who looked like she was setting up camp at 1600. Quick stop at the shelter and on to the next water source. There I fixed dinner and fed Berk. Qs and Mountain Goat (Aussie Lassie) passed as I was eating. It was getting late in the day and water availability was getting to look problematic. MG stopped at the 1st poor stream and I passed on expecting a better one in next 0.1 mile. I went about 0.2 and retreated to fill up at the poor stream. Took about 1/2 hour for 3 liters but I was good for the nite. Back on the trail and of course there was a outstanding stream just another 100 yds from where I stopped earlier. I planned to hike to a forward meadow and call it a night. I came around a corner and there was QS and MG on a log pigging out. There was the most outstanding trail magic at this stop. I remember this for my 2010 hike it was sponsor by the Mtn Home Babtist Church and they have a large metal box to secure the goodies when I hiked in 2010 I came upon this box early in them and the Sun was shining across the top which had 3 crosses cut out of the top. For some reason I had images of the KKK. But back to the magic: they had a cooler filled with ice and drinks. They had all kinds of sweets ( my favorite was the 560 cal honey bunS ). And not to be dismissed were the home made cookies   We ate our fill, signed the register and secured the box. It was a short hike to the meadow and I wanted to shut down at theN end. On the way, we passed some ranchers who were unloading a cow and calf into a pasture with other cows and calves. Here theAT passes thru the cattle pasture for about 1/4 mile. The rancher told me to unleash the dog. He was afraid the cows would chase the dog/me to protect the calves. I wasn't to excited about this idea but did remove the cable from my waist and held it as we passed thru the pasture. One cow did approach but Berk was on guard and we safely got past the cow pasture. I the went to the end of the meadow and set up camp QSand MG set up just down the meadow. Overall, a great dayLife is Good!