Date: 2007-09-05
From: Minerva Hinchey Shelter

To: Big Branch Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: clear sky

mi. 13.2sleep shelterdest. Big Branch Shelter day 55 Well last night was another cold one. Down at least to 40. I really can't wait until North Adams when I pick up my warm underquilt. After that it will be all good. I am planning on using the test hammock I am using now for a couple more weeks than I'll switch back. My plan wasn't to use it for the rest of my hike, just until everything healed up. I don't think there is anything wrong with it and cold weather, just my cold weather setup is made for my hammock. This morning we were all sitting around eating breakfest when we heard a bunch of geese or ducks in the distance quacking and flying away. Catz yells hold on guys wait for us. We're headed south for the winter too. I couldn't agree more. The acorns are falling and the leaves are just starting to change. Time to start picking up the pace a little southbound. Anyways. I will do one rant today. What really bugs me is when people say hey there is something really cool for you today, but I'm not going to tell you. But you will not be disappointed. And I'm still not going to tell you. I really hate that. I hate that even more than when I get advice that I don't ask for. I heard that once about yesterday and once about today. I was told that from a section hiker that I would see something today that he didn't see anywere else on the AT. It was supposed to be really cool. Now my exspectations for the day are huge. It could be something that I would have otherwise enjoyed, but now I can't because in my mind I am expecting something I won't see anywhere else. Needless to say I wasn't very impressed. All it ended up being is a couple spots where some made a carin gardern on the AT on Bear Mountain. Basically just a few rock sculptures. I of course took a pic. But I thought the rocks looked better the way they were. This definitly was not leave no trace. Catz was even less impressed. He knocked a few down with his trekking poles. I wanted to, but self control got the better of me. I was trying to decide how much mileage to do today. I could either pull a big day and go into town tomorrow afternoon, or do a short day and go in the following morning. Well the shorter day won out. I ended up stopping for a long lunch break and cooking up one of the meals given to me. Thanks again for them. From here Catz hiked on. We were going to meet up later. I really like hiking by myself anyways. I was walking past Little Rock Pond. It has a fee site and way too early of a stop for me today. I was looking for a good spot to lay in the sun. It was finaly a little warm out. I spot a huge rock on the opposite side. The AT follows one side of the pond. I followed it until the trail split off. But there was a loop trail around the pond. This was a smaller pond. I had every intension o walking around it, until I got 2 yards down the trail. What would I find but a canoe with addles and life jackets. I had to take it for a spin. I hung my pack from a tree and took a little spin around the pond. If you haven't noticed I really like boating and do it whenever the chance comes along. It felt great to canoe in the sun shine. I took off the shirt and relaxed in the sun. I used to work at a canoe rental place for 3 or 4 summers. I probibly logged 4 or 5 hundred river miles. I closed my eyes and it felt like old times. I could have spent all day and the next few here, but I have miles to make. The trail south of here got really easy. Small gravel and then a section with black dirt. Really my first black dirt hiking. When these sections come I don't know weather to go slow and enjoy or run. I usually and ended up this time walking really fast. My feet start moving and I hang on for the ride. I made the decision to stop a little early. That means getting into town early the next day. I decided to stop and stay in the shelter tonight. It should be a little warmer to sleep. Catz pushed on. He is hoping to make it into town by 2pm tomorrow. I would have joined him, but he is planning on stealth camping in a cemetary. That just weirds me out a little too much. I think I would be hearing things all night. I did have a good talk with a section hiker who is going to finish up the AT when he gets to Pinkcom Notch in the Whites. I didn't see any northbounders until later. I ended up seeing 5. One told me how everyone is telling them they will not make it. They are on pace to finish on Oct 15 (the last day you can camp in Baxstor and the offical cutof date to finish, but you still can late). They only have to do 13.5 miles per day average. Really doable. They said I am one of the only people to tell them they could. But then again I am the eternal optimist. Journal note. Firework is a couple days in front of me. This is mainly for Karen BTW. I think he is in Mancestor Center now. He is also planning on finishing 5 weeks before me. Really not on my time frame. But I had fun when it was.