Date: 2011-06-23
From: Harpers Creek (entry two of three on the day)

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: light rain

Fraser Fir-Thursday, June 23, 2011Section HikerEighth Year of my walk from Georgia to Maine in a northerly direction 8--) super smiley face today!Harpers Creek Tent Pad to Rockfish Gap-second entry of the dayPack Weight: ten poundsWell, I decided to blue blaze because my number one objective is to get home safely. I do not want to push too hard over the Three Ridges Wilderness Area and have nothing left for Humpback Rocks, Dripping Rocks, and Mill Creek.I believe that my choice was a wise one. It was a difficult blue blazer nonetheless.I was in pursuit of the water fall on the elevation profile map. This good ole water fall (or cascade) was supposed to be right here on the Mau-Har Trail.Several ups and downs brought me to the Campbell Creek and the tumbling waters of a fairly low grade cascade.After the cascade, the mission was strictly uphill and at a 2000¢ elevation, the humidity and heat were kicking in.After a bunch of huffing and puffing, I stopped to see my long lost friend, Paradox behind me.We stopped and tried to chat between gasps of air. This blue blazer was a little more than either of us bargained for this early morning. In addition, it has to be near 100 percent humidity! Whew it is gettin¢ to be a cooker today!He(Paradox) is the real man though; because he is actually thru-hiking with a 30 pound sack and I am out playing for a couple of days carrying roughly ten pounds!! 8--)After gathering more water and mixing it with powder, I head toward the Appalachian Trail.The switch backs and land features make me feel like I will be approaching Maupin Field Shelter pretty soon now.I climb up out of the valley to find several thru hikers getting ready to leave as well as families camping all around the area.I look up to see overcast skies with a mild chance of a rain shower.It is a good thing that I have kept my new phone sealed in a waterproof bag!I am ¢dancing with the devil¢ if I want to pull that phone out and try to make contact with anyone. My last trip out near Thunder Ridge ended my phone and almost took out my mP3.The reason of course: dampness and rain!As I regained my momentum and started walking the AT in a pine forest, a thru passed me with his dog.The retriever- I believe- did not look like he was having a good time. Our hiker buddy was in a kinda ill mood and was driving the poor dog to hike faster than he wanted to. 8----(I can relate because Winzer and I spent many moments in these Appalachian Mountains, but he was a younger pup who would want me to go faster!!!Before the rain came, I pulled out my phone and called Stephanie and told her that I would be back in Gainesville (Georgia) late tonight and that everything was o.k.I kept the conversation short and simple.Stephanie left me a pretty hefty chore list to do this week while she was away at her mom¢s house and here I am out hiking again! Shhhh- do not get me in trouble!!If you knew me though, you know I work as hard at keeping up with chores and parenting and being a pretty good husband as I do with my long walks. No bragging rights though for sure!------to be continued in entry three on the day-----------------------------Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to read my section hike journal. To all of those that I have met on the trail: the pleasure is mine. May God bless you.