Date: 2015-04-19
From: Niday Shelter

To: Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 16.8

4/19, Four Pines Hostel, 16.8Where do I begin? Today was a day of vacillating moods and circumstances. As we read the shelter log last night we discovered that Fresh Grounds leap frog cafe was set up at the road one and a half miles downhill. We turned in last night knowing breakfast was covered but I woke this morning feeling blah. We packed and began the short walk to the cafe. When we arrived Fresh Grounds instantly raised my mood. Coffee was hot, skillet scramble was on my plate in moments and within a couple minutes it was followed by a pancake. Three pancakes later, toast, more coffee and my mood was strangely improved. Fresh Grounds was also very encouraging to spend time with so thanks Fresh Grounds for your service to hikers.After the cafe we set out again up our big climb of the day. It was a gradual climb so we found it quite enjoyable, but it started raining soon after we started 'dampening' my mood. The climb crested he ridge near the Audie Murphy monument at which we stopped to take photos. As we hiked on Maverick kept pointing out a low hum. Each time we stopped he pointed it out and I could hear it as well. By the time we stopped for lunch he was pretty sure it sounded just like a military drone, and perhaps Langley was training drone pilots over the trail, practicing by tracking hikers. As he unpacked his food bag for lunch he realized it was his disposable electric toothbrush humming away in his pack. We shared a good laugh, and my mood was up again. The next ridge on our hike was a little longer and lead to "Dragons Tooth", a rock monolith standing straight up at the end of the ridge. The rain persisted, and the rocks increased. Then the rocky trail became a rocky scramble. Then the rain started coming sideways carried by a thirty mile per hour wind. My feet were sore, and my mood was emotionally challenged. Then the unthinkable happened. I lost it on a tree branch. Ok, just a little explanation. When I am in rain gear my ball cap is pulled down to keep my glasses dry, and my rain jacket hood is over my hat. The end result is my vision above my head is challenged. Then factor in the need to focus intently on each step in order to avoid a twisted ankle, or soaking wet shoe. Then add the noise of the wind and you will find the perfect preparation for walking forehead first into a low hanging branch, or fallen tree. I have managed to hit my head on these obstructions multiple times. Today, I had hit my head on the shelter rafter at lunch, and then walked hard into the tree over the trail. I was so mad I nearly lost it and attacked the tree with my hiking pole. I stopped just in time to spare my pole but my mood was back in the rain puddle again. We hiked on. By the end of the ridge the rain hadn't let up, and the rocks were very slippery. We looked at the monolith, and hiked on. The lure of a warm shower at the hostel was very strong. The first mile coming off the ridge was our hardest rock scramble yet. In fact, Maverick and I felt this entire day was probably our toughest hike to date. We finally made it off the ridge, down to the road and into the hostel. There were two beds left, and many friendly faces so we hung our wet stuff, showered and headed to the grocery. After the shower, wings, popcorn and a coke, my mood is good again. I am hoping my mood swings will moderate as Maverick and I head out in the morning. The weather forecast helps as the rain tomorrow is late afternoon, and then there are several moderate days of sun forecast. We plan to hike a short day into Daleville on Tuesday, and I will hike out a short day on Wednesday to maximize my rest, without taking a zero. We will split a motel room near the laundry and such, keeping our expenses as low as possible. All in all today was a typical AT day with trail magic, rain, hard hiking, good friends and even a laugh or two. I wouldn't give it up for anything right now.Good night and have a pleasant tomorrowSilverback