Date: 2016-05-05
From: Quarter Way Hostel

To: mile marker 574.1
Miles today: 20.2

I usually start my post with what I did today. But today I want to start my post by saying thanks to Chrissy. She supports me 100% in chasing this crazy dream. But it is not easy on her. She works crazy long hours, takes care of Sammi, handles all the house issues... And since I have left for this walk we have had a leak in the basement, a storm that has caused some tree issues in the back yard, now she has to make some additional arrangements for Sammi. It just seems like everything is happening at once. When I say... Hey, I'll come home, this is not fair to you.. Her response is/- no, I've changed the locks you can't come home, that bad haircut you got-- well it has not grown out enough for you to come home, etc. So, big hats off to Chrissy she is the one that is my hero and the one who deserves an "at a girl- you are amazing."Today is day 42. I covered 20.2 miles and I am currently at mile marker 574.1. I checked the weather and decided to give to a go and gamble on how the day would try out. Not a wise decision. It started out fine but it did not end that way. This is my day: I started walking at 8:10. Nice start through some cow pastures. Another hiker, Zack started right behind me. As we entered the forest and not far removed from the pastures I kept hearing some sounds that I could not place. I decided it was a cow, from the pasture, in some sort of distress.. But I was not sure. I even stopped walking and try to figure out what it was because I heard it 5 times. When I made it to the first shelter I stopped to get a snack and Zack walked up. I asked if he heard the noise. Our conversation: (zack) oh, did you hear that? (Me)Yes, I think something was wrong with a cow. No, it was not a cow it was me throwing up!! What ? Are you ok? Oh yea, I throw up every morning! WHAT? Yea, it is from me smoking so much. Really, have you thought about quitting? No, not really. Oh.. Ok. Well, have a good hike. I am baffled by that but whatever. I'm just glad there was not a sick cow!!So I kept walking keeping in mind that a couple I met from Baton Rouge were slightly ahead of me. And I knew that they were catching a ride to another one of those Bates Motels on the side of the road. I thought if the weather really turns maybe I'll do the same. I hiked about 13 miles and OMG it started snowing when I got to Chestnut Knob, elevation 4393. At first I was thinking this is cool.. It is lightly snowing. But then... It became a whiteout!! And I was freezing. And then I remembered I had sent my heavier clothing home with Chrissy! Oh no! I had caught up with the Baton Rouge folks who have trail names, The Bean and JotC ( stands for Jesus off the cross). He was given that name by his mom who said ... He would make her so frustrated at times that it was enough to knock Jesus Off The Cross. Anyway... I told them I really did not want to camp in the weather so I arranged to shuttle with them to the motel. It kept snowing all the way down the mountain... Meaning the tempts never warmed. Bubba, the shuttle guy was waiting when we arrived at the cross roads. Tomorrow we will shuttle back to our exit point and start again. The weather seems to be looming over this area. I'll watch it again tomorrow... Just because that is what I do I have added several new pics to the photo log. Back to the beginning---- Chrissy, you are the one who is to be admired.