Date: 2003-05-18
From: Trail Days, Damascus, VA

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: moderate rain

Thunder Ridge Overlook to   What a day! Last night, before I fell asleep, I thought to myself "I hope no cars run me over tonight." My tent was at least 10 feet from the road, but there was a huge, muddy mess right there, and I thought some people might try to drive around it, coming my way since the porta-potties were on the other side. In the middle of the night, I heard a car and my tent was lit up with its headlights. In my half-dream state, I yelled, because I thought it was going to run me over. Then I waited to see if anyone had heard. Apparently no one did, and I chuckled to myself. I guess that just proves that I dream about what's on my mind.This morning, I packed up my stuff, most of it fairly dry, but the tent soaked of course. Then I headed to the entrance area, brushed my teeth, washed my face and waited for Hotdog and Amy to arrive. Hotdog and I picked up our poles from the Leki tent, where we'd left them for free cleaning and service. My poles got a B+. They cleaned the components, straightened a section I'd bent, and replaced the tips... for free! Those Leki workers were up all night working on poles. And the really crazy thing is that they'll do that for any brand of hiking pole. What a great service!Then we went back into Damascus for a few things, and hit the road, headed north to the trail. I hadn't had breakfast, so I got some Burger King grub. Mmm mmm good. Hotdog and I needed to resupply, so we stopped where we knew a grocery store wasn't far off I-81, Daleville. It was the third time I'd gone there: twice via car, and once via the AT. It's weird to think I've been to Kroger in Daleville three times, and I live nowhere near the place!We hit the road again, and before reaching the Blue Ridge Parkway where we were picked up, we stopped for lunch at Burger King. I had a couple of burgers and fries, and was thinking about taking 6 burgers on the trail, and giving a few out to other hikers at whatever shelter we stopped, but I had enough food in my food bag already, and I didn't think we'd make the next shelter north, 11 miles away.During the entire drive from Damascus north, it rained, and when we reached Thunder Ridge Overlook, it was still raining. Hotdog and I packed our food bags with our resupplies. Not an easy task in a car! Somehow we managed to get everything put away and pack covers on while staying in the car. But, it was time to get back on the trail. It was very tempting to have Amy drop us off at a hotel instead of hiking in the rain, but at 4:20pm, we hiked away.It made me keep up a brisk pace, to stay warmer. The rain wasn't too heavy, so I wore my rain jacket but not rain pants. We'd planned on camping somewhere before the shelter, and in the rain, I didn't want to take too many breaks, and certainly wasn't looking forward to pitching my already-wet tent while it was raining. We began to realize that we had a shot at making the shelter, and finally decided to go for it. At the point of our decision, the AT went mostly downhill and we could keep up a good pace. At one break, a deer came walking up a cross-trail, looked at us, ears constantly moving, then bounced off into the woods. It was pretty cool.We reached Matts Creek Shelter around 8:30, and it was almost getting too dark to see on the trail, especially since it was overcast all day. The four occupants of the shelter were in their sleeping bags, and two of them were asleep already. Wet, dripping clothes and packs were hanging everywhere. They made room for us, and we unpacked our bedding as quietly as possible. I had one oatmeal cream pie for dinner, then climbed into my bag. I was wet, and cold, but warmed up nicely, hoping my clothes would be dry in the morning. I didn't have much hope for my shoes and socks though, since they got drenched at a stream crossing. With all the rain lately, streams and creeks are flowing rapidly. Right in front of the shelter, Matts Creek Shelter, lies Matts Creek, which the guidebook says has good swimming holes. The way the water is rushing through there, I'd be afraid I'd get swept away! Good thing it wasn't earlier in the day when I arrived, or I might've at least stood in the creek. Maybe. Or maybe not. I'll wait for a warm, sunny day. Maybe tomorrow???