Date: 2003-04-05
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: moderate rain

Day 11 start Muskrat Gapdestination Carter Gap ShelterWell,our plans to get up early and get a ten mile day in was waylaid by a thunder storm that started at 6:00am. It had sprinkled off and on all night,then the lightning set in and we all turned over and went back to sleep.We were not oposed to hiking in the rain,but no one wanted to hike in thunder and lightning.About 8:00 it finally let up and we all climbed out wearing full raingear.After a hot cup of cocoa and a bagel with peanut butter,I was ready to hike.   As I came off the trail,I was greeted by the most touching sight.There was a grill set up and a group of hikers standing around eating.A large handmade banner said Welcome Thru Hikers to Hostel in the Forrest.One of the hostel owners had set up some big time trail magic!He was taking all of our pictures,so be sure to check out his website at www.foresthostel.com They are located in Brunswick ,Ga.They offer allot of neat things for a very reasonable price.Their number is 912-264-9738,and email is Dave@foresthostel.com.Hot dogs,   hamburgers,fresh buns and condiments ,potato chips and cold drinks were on the menu for lunch.The grill chefs were Hunter who is almost fourteen and Burton who is 11 and the grandchildren of Tom.I cannot explain the feeling to see another example of trail magic.It nevers ceases to amaze me the thoughtfulness of total stangers to a group of hungry, smelly hikers.A cold coca cola washed down the best tasting burgers I have ever had.I think that my hiker appetite is beginning to kick in.I ate two hamburgers,a hotdog,bag of chips and two cokes!What a wonderful way to teach young children how to serve others and enable them to meet so many different people.I asked hunter what he was learning,and in a serious tone,he said"I am learning how to cook"if I was expecting a deeper answer,I was disappointed.Not one to let a teachable moment pass,I said "Well are you learning anything else?"With a still serious look,he replied"Well ,yes,I am learning to be humane!"Not to be ou!tdone by his older brother,Burton pipes up and says"Well,we are learning how to feed hungry people!"They were both so sweet,although they would cringe to hear themselves be called that.They brought us our food and kept us supplied with drinks until we were stuffed.At one point,as I watched them cooking,one of them dropped a bun on the ground and in true hiker fashion,he picked it up blowed the dirt off and smacked a hamburger on it!   As much as we hated to leave,we were already behind time,so we limbed up for another couple hours.We called it a night on top of Standing Indian Mountain.We had climbed from 4600 feet to 5498 feet in just under 4 miles. This seemed like an easier climb than yesterday,but still we were glad to make camp.There was a beautiful sunset from the top of the mountain to reward us for our climb.There were also a couple of male hikers who came down from the summit to borrow some fire from our campfire to get their cookstove going.They were out for the weekend and had forgotten matches!I am woman,hear me roar!the stars were so brilliant tonight,and far in the distance,lights of a town twinkled.The fire finally burned down,and we all turned in.It has occured to me as I write this,that had we been on our timetable for today we would have missed the wonderful trail magic.Truly the Lord knows just how to bless us!Another glorious day on the trail.Life is good.bumpkin total miles today 6.4 total smiles today too many to number!