Date: 2013-03-16
From: Stealth camp before Justus Creek

To: Big Cedar Mountain overlook
Miles today: 8.5

Good evening dear readers,I write tonight alone by myself in an absolutely superlative setting - the top of Big Cedar Mountain overlook at 3700 feet, with the stars coming out after an amazing sunset, seeing distant peaks and towns twinkling away. I can't believe no one else is up here considering the crowds at Woody Gap this afternoon - I am on the blue blazed trail, but this campsite isn't listed in the guide book as an official one, so perhaps I'm stealth camping again? Gotta love it, I'm such a rebel. First night ever camping completely solo. Don't worry, Steve, I've still got the pepper spray you gave me! I can still hear the traffic from Woody Gap, far below me, but it's over 1 mile away and quite a climb in the dark, so I feel reasonably safe. Such a warm night, with this breeze, this would be a cold spot at other times. Amazing how free and alive I feel right now - as if the entire mountain belongs solely to me! Don't worry my fellow tax payers, I'll give it back in the morning Today was another gorgeous day, but so HOT and sunny with no leaves on the trees yet. Joan and I couldn't believe we were dunking our hat/visor into streams to help us cool off this early in the year - I know it can't last, so I might as well enjoy it while I can. Last night, we were closer to Justus Creek than we thought - came across a bunch of people tenting not half a mile from where we were. Very nice hiking today, and while I'm still very slow on the climbs, I think I'm getting stronger every day; and once we cooled off, felt a revival in our energy level! More great conversation with Joan, I'll so miss her tomorrow since she needs to go back to work on Monday. Thanks again, Joan, for your awesome company and helping me adjust to the trail - hugs!! Joan also provided a fantastic dinner - we had enough time to get some fresh avocado, green beans, and pineapple out of her car (she knows how to pack a cooler!) and hike up here to have dinner before she had to go back home. Ok, back again, had to check out the "star walk" app on my phone, because the heavens are so glorious around me that I don't even care about the hard rock I've been sitting on for the last hour. I had to turn on my cell signal, and akk - front country life intruded in the form of many emails downloading. A sincere thanks to all who've signed my guest book, I loved reading your messages to me!   I am in awe at the natural glory around me, but now it's getting chilly, time to snuggle into my sleeping bag. Word of the day: exhilarate - to make cheerful and excited, refreshI was exhilarated by the awesome trail magic that the Glenoch Baptist Church from Franklin did at Woody Gap today - they handed out hot dogs, pop, cookies, chips, supplies like bandaids, etc. Just amazing!! The ladies I spoke with were super nice, it was so incredibly heartwarming to their generosity and amazing friendliness, how inspiring to see others really live their beliefs. Thank you, thank you again, I've never had a better hot dog or can of Coke in my life! Definitely helped me climb Big Cedar and get here to see these amazing views tonight.