Date: 2006-03-29
From: Spring Mtn. Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: broken clouds

Day 26Woke up to a really beautiful day after a great night's sleep. Clear sky, sunny and warm. Took off early and did the first 8.5 miles to the first shelter by 11am. Thought about maybe trying for 20 today, but after 10 minutes of debating (w/ Swiftcreek and Yoohoo), decided to just take our time and do the 15. Since we weren't in a hurry, we got out our lunch and took a break. An hour and a half later, we picked ourselves up off the sunny picnic table and moved on. Tough climb from the shelter but soon were back to our winding ways. Came across White Rock Cliffs around 1:30 and took our packs off for a break on the rocks. Beautiful view from there, and before we knew it we had spent another 1.5 hours talking and enjoying the day. This is how I like my day on trail to be. Nice and relaxed, taking breaks when we need them (and sometimes when we don't) and just enjoying each day we have out here. TreeFrog, Show Me and Jeremy soon caught up and we all began the 3.7 mile walk to the shelter. The trail in the next section was some of the best yet. We walked right up onto an exposed ridgeline, over rocks and up and down and finally up high enough that we could see on both sides of us for miles. To our right was a sea of mountains, and to the left was valley and farmland. Really cool up there. Glad we were blessed with nice weather - crossing that ridge in a storm of any kind would not have been fun. Spent about 30 minutes walking up there before the trail went back down below treeline again. Did another small uphill section before nice easy ridge walking the rest of the way to the shelter. Great day today - beautifu weather, great trail, good company. We spent most of the day hiking with Yoohoo. May not get to do that much longer as he is thinking about getting off the trail in Damascus. Says he's getting bored. We'd be sad to see him go, but this isn't something you should do if you're not having fun. Hope he'll find some enjoyment in the days to come! Will also be losing Treefrog and Show Me this weekend, as they're heading back to Missouri for a month to find jobs for when they finish the trail. They did a big section back in September, have done Georgia to here and will come back to finish through VA and then VT to ME. Hopefully we'll see them again up north. Here tonight with Jeremy, Yoohoo, Treefrog, Show Me, No Worries, a family of 4 out for spring break, and we think Bushwacker and Little Brother are on the way. On schedule to be in Erwin Saturday morning, and Damascus the following Saturday. Taking each day as it comes, and enjoying this walk. Trail life is awesome. Love to family and friends.A note from Swiftcreek:Hello everyone. Longtime reader, first time writer. Treefrog said something to us today that really hit home. He said that really this (your AT hike) is your vacation. And that is so true. Most people (myself included) will sometimes treat this like a job. But as today shows if you take time and treat the hike like your vacation, you will enjoy it so much more! Pridefulness aside, there are no time cards, no paychecks, no bosses, no schedules - just your love for hiking. And we love hiking. Moving North, Swiftcreek