Date: 2011-04-09
From: (18) Silver Bald Shelter

To: (19-1) Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

No sooner had I left the library yesterday than an old couple pulled up beside me and offered me a lift to the trail. I had actually been planning on finding a restaurant, but accepted the ride anyway because it was so convenient. I would later look at a map and see that an Arby's had been just around the corner, a discovery that now fills me with regret.I hiked an additional two hours that day, ending at a shelter. White Blaze was already there, and he was later joined by his girlfriend who had drove to the nearest AT crossing and hiked up. That night I also met a hiker named Portrait, who recognized me from my Trail Journals, which he had just finished reading on his kindle. Portrait received his trail name for good reason, as he was carrying a 4lb camera and had photographed nearly every person I had ever met on the trail.I said goodbye when I left this morning, and Portrait made me promise to write in the shelter logs for now on so he could see how I was doing. The shelter logs are the social network of the trail, allowing hikers to check up on their friends who are ahead of them, as well as leave messages for those behind. It is always a thrill to open up a log and see that a friend of yours passed through only a day ahead. These logs are also filled with poems, drawings, and more, usually with the goal of being humorous.Today was very unique. The morning was humid and the trail went up some rough climbs. I was completely worn out by lunch. I ate pop tarts, jerky, and trail mix, so by hiker standards I was full. Then an hour later I descended into a meadowed valley to discover some trail magic! For those who don't know, trail magic is an act of random kindness on the trail. This particular trail magic was a church group grilling lunch for passing thru hikers. Having been on the trail for such a long time living off of freeze dried rice, I was delighted. I ate two cheese burgers with everything on them, a chili cheese dog, 3 chocolate chip cookies, 2 bags of chips, a cup cake, 2 rice krispie treats, a bowl of vegetable soup, and an orange soda (once again, had eaten lunch prior). While eating, I sat with some other thru hikers I had never met before. They called themselves the "Cajun Crew" and were...well...hippies, though I prefer degenerates. There was an older guy who was a Vietnam vet still suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome, a kid who kept talking about "tripping" and "getting some mushrooms", another who was hiking so his mom couldn't make him work, and a few others. Needless to say, I ate quickly. Now don't get me wrong, they were all nice people, but I could not have had less in common with them if I tried.I continued hiking, and a few miles later I came across more trail magic! Some trail angel (those who perform trail magic) had lined the path with peeps, snack cakes, soda, and even beer! I took several sodas, and cheerfully drank them while I walked, ya know, to save weight.I arrived at Wesser Bald Shelter around 5, for a total of 18 miles. There I met two ladies, Chance and Getaway, and they asked me if I would take a picture of their feet! They were hiking for their website based out of a park in Illinois, and were proud of the fact they had not had a single blister. I made sure to boast that I hadn't either, and then I took a picture of their feet.An hour later I was surprised to see White Blaze pass the shelter. He was doing over 20 miles to the next town (the NOC). Later I was surprised again to see Gunrunner come into camp! He had caught up to me by skipping town resupplies and doing a big 26 mile day, and of course he was smoking a cigar.Today was an amazing day, and I hope for more like it.