Date: 2007-05-02
From: Laural Creek Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

It's morning. The birds are chirping and singing as I wake up. Everyone is still enjoying their bags as I sit at the picnic table writing my journal. The sun is up with me. I can hear the creek in the distance and small creatures running in the distance. The birds are awsome. Today we will pass the Keffer Oak, the largest live Oak tree on the trail in the south. It is estimated to be 300 years old and was last measured with a girth of over 18 feet. But first I must get going. There is much to do. We have met a hiker named Ranger who is older than me but a very good hiker. He has made seven attempts to be a Thru-hiker. His best attempt got him to CT. He is determined to make it this year and we all hope he is succesful. He tent camped at our location last night. He was already asleep when we arrived last night and he is already gone as we wake. Best wishes Ranger, I hope your dream comes true this year. After leaving the shelter we crossed a nice creek then walked through rolling hills and ridges. We then come out in a great valley then walk accross several pastures up and over many stiles. The farm land is breath taking, as we walk a breeze blows the tall grass on the hill and you can see the waves and it makes you happy to be here. The land rolls, the vistas are open and the valley is very green. There are cattle on several hills, I wonder if they are watching us as we hike by on the great A/T. After a few more stiles we come across the grand old oak named "Keffer". It is very large, the trunk is thick and it appears well nourished. It seems protected where it is. The hills and terrain suit it well, protected from high winds, lightning, and nicely located where it has room to grow. The tree is there and thriving. I wish it many more centuries. I call home and have marginal service so can't talk too well. I miss her so... The rain starts and I gear up. As we leave the fast go first. I settle in and eventually catch CB and Caboose. We reach the crest of the ridge and I see the ominous dark grey clouds rolling over a distant ridge and filling in the valley upwind. I suggest we should set up my tarp and take shelter from what looks to be a bad thunderstorm, but the majority wants to continue hiking. This is one of those moments I will regret. I should have stood firm even if it means going alone. The wind picks up, then we are kissed by the wetness. We hear thunder up wind in the valley. The thunder is coming our way. Now it is striking on both sides of the ridge we are walking on. Some thunder cracks close, we have no choice but to walk on. We reach mile marker 666 and at the shelter sign someone has left their poles, a sign that we should come to the shelter. CB, Caboose and I arrive at the Sarver Cabin Shelter soaked and cold, but relieved to have survived the storm. I wring my clothes out and put them back on. The others have left and gone on. I leave and finish the steep blue blazed trail from the shelter. Then it's right and up the A/T. I continue the ridge walk eventually seeing the others standing around a smoky fire. They have come upon a large tree which has been struck by lightning. The aftermath is impressive. The tree has been broken off about four feet up and is filled with hot flaming coals. The fallen tree trunk is hollowed out by the burning caused by the strike. The tree trunk is very hot to the touch. before I arrived the others had cleared all the leaves around the fallen tree in hopes of avoiding a forest fire. The tree is smoldering and coals are falling out of the trunk. We place rocks on the hottest part of the trunk hoping to keep the fire from spreading. We try to call the phone number listed on our map and then 911, but have no luck. Eventually after doing all we can to make sure the site is safe, we leave. The ridge gets rockier and is a fun section to hike (if you are not trying to get to the next shelter). Then the trail drops through some switch backs taking me to the Niday Shelter. We have the shelter to ourselves until later when Spike arrives. Golden Boy has started a nice fire, he then turns it over to me and it becomes very large and hot. I love to see how fast you cab turn a nice small fire into hot damn that's a fire. Fire Marshall Pegasus was called in to help with control and I went to bed. I am happy but very homesick. I am again thinking dark thoughts about leaving Trail World. Sleep comes easily and that is all. I am aware that it is raining.