Date: 2007-10-26
From: Downhome B&B, Milo, Maine

To: "YDG's" House, Liverpool, PA
Miles today: 0.0

OK, I rode in a car for 800 miles from Milo, Maine; all the way to Liverpool, PA. Several times I had some mild panic attack around turns; but, it was just from not being in a car for a long time. I am avoiding updating my trail journal because I do not want people knowing I quit. ******August 2005 in The Spring Mtn Shelter, NC. It is about 11 miles north of Hot Springs, NC. I had just walked from Fontana Dam, NC up to The Overmounain Shelter, TN and was walking back to my jeep at Fontana. It had been an incredibly hot summer that was full of bugs. The brush was over my head along the trail and the stinging nettles were the most prevalent plant. I dont know if you have had the pleasure of having a stinging nettle brush up against your skin; but, it is extremely painful and itchy. You cannot scratch it though or the sensation will continue and spread. It will also get all over your hands and any other part of your body will itch. I eventually had to wrap up in my tarp as I walked to keep the nettles from touching my skin. I was not carrying my rain gear because it was summer. It would have worked. I was very happy to see the shelter and be out of the vegetation. I came in from the south. I had spent two days back at The Little Laurel Shelter, NC because the first night there; I had run into two young local teachers from the Johnson City area. They had "snookered" me into drinking too much "mooshine" and I did not feel too good the next day and as I came into the shelter, I still did not feel too well. On the last hill before the shelter, I saw a local guy out hunting and shooting his rifle. I always get a little scared when I run into these "good ole boys" with weapons, especially when I do not have one. I asked if I was getting close to the shelter and he said that it was just over the next hill. I let him know that I was very happy about this and said goodbye. I got there and noticed how old this shelter was. I had been here several times before and did not like staying here; but, it looked like rain; so, I did. As the sun went down, I noticed that the walnuts, acorns, and horse chestnuts were falling about every one or two minutes. They were hitting the tin roof and making a hell of a racket. This was not a good omen for getting a much needed good night sleep. An hour went by and each time a nut hit the ground: several chipmunks would run out of the ceiling and scamper out scattering leaves. They would retrieve the nut and bring it back to their nest. The nest was in between the exterior roof tin and the plywood holding it up. It was right above my head. Another hour went by and then I began to notice that the chipmunks were drawing in the screech owls. The owls would make their blood Curdling call which is where they get their names. It is neat to listen to them a few times; but, over and over and over? Another hour of the chipmunks moving around; the owls screeching, nuts falling, and then the hunting dogs started their pursuit of "coons" in the distance. They do alot of barking while pursuing; then when they catch the coon; here is a terrible noise of yelping and hissing. They were miles away; but, I could hear them very well. I was starting to think that I was not going to get much sleep with all this racket. Then I noticed a wift of wind, here and there in the shelter. I soon realized that there was a bat coming in and out of the shelter. It was munching on the mosquitos that were trying to get me. I welcomed the flying mammal; but, it was another distraction. Of course, I still have the mice bouncing around in here as well. I could also here a Buck deer snort in the distance as well. I was thinking: throw in a bear pushing down some trees and a pack of wild hogs running by squelling and we could have a full house. That was all I could figure that was left out in the woods to hear. It was deep into the morning and I was just about adjusted to the falling nuts; lightening flashing in the distance with dull thunder clasps; snorting bucks; screeching owls; bouncing mice; howling dogs that were getting the coyotes going; screeching owls; scampering chipmunks; and hovering bats when I heard something else. I could not believe it. A cat! A freakin' cat. It had to be a feral cat left out here by someone. I pretended not to notice it. I covered my head up with my sleeping bag and hoped it would go away. Meow, meow, meow....finally it gave up and went away. I just could not give it any food. I cant take a cat on. I know a guy in 1990 that did a thru hike with his cat "Ziggy". I was not up for that. Around daybreak, I did get to sleep. Then I heard a rifle shot just south of the shelter and then another. Then I saw the good ole boy, that I saw last night come by with a big smile. I did not say anything to him and acted like he did not disturb me. He then went north of the shelter and began shooting again. What a night!