Date: 2008-04-26
From: Full Hardt Knob Shelter

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: few clouds

Day 2Woke up this morning and everyone but Applecore and Whiplash had already left. I chatted with them some more while fixing breakfast.Applecore then asked Whiplash if they were "going to do that thing today where we just hike?" Whiplash hesitated a moment before replying uncertainly, "No, I think we should do that thing today where we run and do somersaults as well." But then Applecore clarified that she meant just hike without looking at the guidebook to see when things were coming up and how far away the shelters were. "Oh. Sure." said Whiplash "We can do that." It was a funny exchange to witness. My hopes soared that I might see them again when Applecore said she felt tired and didn't think she wanted to go very far and Whiplash agreed they could just take it easy. I didn't realize that their take-it-easy day would still be double what I was planning to do.After they'd packed up and left, I went about packing up myself. Then I read the logbook and was pleasantly surprised to find that everyone had left notes of encouragement for me before leaving that morning. I really appreciated it. I left my own note, then called home on my cell before leaving the knob. I wanted to let my parents know that my first night had been great despite the rain. While it had been pouring on me last night I had a brief daydream wondering if my parents were staring out the window in shock, and thinking about how I was out there in that mess and probably completely miserable. I then imagined myself calling them and asking, mere hours after starting the trail, for them to come and get me - that this was obviously something I was not meant to do. In actuality I wasn't miserable and didn't really have any desire to get off the trail, but my imagined scenario struck me as pretty comical and I had myself a little laugh out loud, there on the trail in the rain.Finally started hiking again around 10:30 I think. Not a super great start, but then I was only going a little over a mile further than I had last night after 5. I had plenty of time. Starting out SLOW and STEADY, that was the plan. And it was a good plan too, because my heels had already formed hot spots and started blistering yesterday - something I noticed right away when I started walking. It was rather warm too, so I was glad to stop for lunch by a nice, deep creek just a few miles out. I relaxed there for quite a while, soaking my feet and slowly eating lunch.I began to notice that the sun was playing a very dramatic game of hide-and-seek. The first few times this happened I paid little attention, but then something else changed, something in the air I think, and I suddenly knew another storm was coming.I started trying to put my things back together - food and trash in the food bag, water filter into its bag, then these things plus the water bladder into the backpack - everything needing to go in the RIGHT PLACE for proper weight distribution. Repacking was still an awkward process for me. I had to get my shoes back on too, and as I sat there lacing back up a mother and two young sons came down the hill from the same direction I had. They were out for a day hike. We exchanged niceties, then observed how our beautiful day was rapidly turning on us. As I finished with my shoes the rain started, lightly at first but increasing in volume with every second. I began frantically racing to get my new garbage bag pack cover onto my backpack (which seemed to be fighting me like a cranky toddler resisting getting dressed) and the mother seemed unsure about whether to try to wait out the rain and continue the walk or turn around and call it a day. While cutting places for my straps to come through the garbage bag I shared how the storm yesterday had lasted a long time...so this one might too. This did seem to help her decide, so she told her boys they were heading home and I heaved my plastic-sheathed toddler onto my back (actually I WISH it weighed the same as a toddler). We left at the same time going in opposite directions, and I have to admit I felt a little tough - proud to be so obviously crossing the line that divided day hikers and thru-hikers.