Date: 2007-10-14
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: scattered clouds

mi. 15.1sleep shelterdest. 501 shelter day 94 One thing I am finally realizing is that no matter how far Torque and I are planning on going, we usually get there about the same time. I think that is one of those things that helps this tandom work. Today was one of those days. We were only going 15 miles, I am getting used to thinking 15 as an easy day. We both want to stay in the 501 shelter, more on that later. Only going that far ment an early start is not needed. So I slept in a little and took a few extra minutes getting ready. We still hit the trail south before 9am. The group we were staying with headed out before us. We ended up catching and passing them pretty quickly. Water is still somewhat of an issue. When we came across a stream, more like a series of puddles with a little flow, we stopped for an early break and some coffee and sugar cigs. A couple minutes later they pull up. We shared are cig break with Mistie. She got a funny pic of the 3 of us there with our candy cigs in our mouths. We said our goodbyes, again and they hiked out. We sat there for awhile and enjoyed our coffee and candy. We caught up with them again as they were getting in their truck at the road to head back home. Nice group,. All I have to say is it feels great being out there and not headed home. Sorry had to rub that one in. Not really that much happened on our hike to the shelter. We passed a fair share of day hikers and people out for the weekend. The site that was mentioned in my guestbook was nice, but it was early and we had the 501 on our mind with all of it's benifits. We got to the shelter around 4pm, a little earlier than usual. Kind of strange but we came across a horse tied up to a tree with a blue blaze on it. It wasn't on the trail, but close. Of course I got my pic taken with it. Now this shelter is a little special. It is only 100 yards or so from the road. It has a caretaker's cabin next door that someone stays at. It used to be an old artists studio. It is a rather large building as far as shelters are concerned. It has bunks for at least 12 around the outside. Along with a large picnic table in the middle, other padded chairs are scattered around. It also has a giant hexagon skylight, it is where the artist had her potters wheel. It also has some outside tentsites and a solar shower. I turned it on, but it was really cold, big surprise here. I went on a quest for the privy. It wasn't where the little map said it was. I followed the sign outside. It lead away from the shelter and down a little hill. About 40 yards down was a sign saying to turn right down another trail. I followed that for another 40 yds or so. Then another sign to turn left down a side trail. I followed that down to find an old 3 sided privy. It had no seat. I think this was the old one. But the plumbing still worked and I didn't want t gamble and lose, s            Now one of the great things about this shelter is that you can order pizza. Of course we did. The had a special for 2 pies for $15. Throw in a 2 liter of soda and some cheezy garlic bread and we had our dinner. We almost finished it, but a couple pieces got left for breakfest. I was thinking we were going to be alone, but 2 section hikers strolled in by the names of Bushwacker and Pacemaker. Nice couple. They original started a northbound thru hike a couple years ago then ended up deciding section hiking was best. They were just up in Jersey last week. They said they saw 4 bear in there. I didn't see a one. I was beginning to think there were none up there. Oh well SNP is coming up in VA along with the Smokies. Hopefully I'll see one at a good distance. Funny thing I have to comment on. In the register a boy scout troop signed in. Not a big deal in itself. I went through BSA and like to read what they have to say. A kid said they hiked in and around and were staying in the shelter. This place is far from roughing it and not typical of AT shelters. Then he said the ordered pizza. Now that just seems to me to defeat the propose a little. If I was not on a thru or a section, I wouldn't order pizza. Call me strange but one of my favorite parts of scouting campouts were cooking over a fire. Nothing is better when you are that age, or any really. I left this entry in the 501 shelter registery. Last night got me thinking about different rants. I went over it in my head all day and talked with Torque about it. So of course I am going to share it with you. It is one of those things that after you get started you can't stop. I guess I can't be Mr positive thinking all of the time. Most of these shouldn't come as a surprise to you if you have been reading my journal. The thing is one or two occurances of these wouldn't be a big deal. They just seem to happen over and over. I wouldn't say by everyone I meet, but most people seem to do at least one of them. These are in order of worest to least. 1. Dog Owners: Dude control your freakin pets. Just because you love your dog doesn't mean I do as it is barking and grueling at me. 2. People who ask where I am from: I think I answered this question over 400 times now. Seriously, do you even care? Obviously I am not from here and cannot help, the people who are don't. 3. People (mainly dayhikers) who tell me that I cannot make it as far as I am planning: Come on people not sounding high and mightly here (we all know how I love small mile days) but just because you cannot hike 10 miles doesn't mean I cannot hike 20+. 4. People (mainly dayhikers or weekenders) who make it a point to describle in detail the trail conditions coming up then except the same in return: Come on folks the trail is there, you are going to do it regaurdless. I can see it on the maps what it is going to be like, sit back and enjoy. I always say it isn't bad or pretty chill anyways. Water reports are a different story. 5. People (mainly again those day hikers or weekenders) who when they learn I am a southbounder say isn't it going to get cold or are you going to beat winter: Think about it. It is going to be December in the mountains when I will be in GA, of course it is going to be cold. Stop constantly reminding me. I'll figure it out and deal with it like everything else. 6. People (same group) who ask if I am going north or south: Think about it. I was asked this question 2 times in the last 24 hours. 7. Firepits: Do you honestly need to build a stone firepit every time you make a fire? I'm going with no here. There are firepits everytime someone makes a new campsite. Very leave no trace. Honerable mentions I just thought of I didn't include. Mainly because I can understand people asking. When did you start? I usually say the time or day I started this morning. Where are you coming from? I usually say the town, shelter, or whatever I stayed at last night. Where are you going? I usually say south for the winter, to whatever shelter or town I am headed, or down the trail somewhere. School groups, enough said. Like I said not to sound negative. I is just getting a little old t hear everyone you meet say o do something that was listed above. Usually only o the weekends. During the week I hardly see anyone. Fridays some people are out. Saturdays a lot and usually people a the shelter. Sundays a lot o dayhikers.