Date: 2011-04-23
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Elk River Campsite
Miles today: 15.2

Interesting filled day but now I am here laying near Elk River cowboy camping by the fire I built. Not much difference between a tarp over me and this when the weather is perfect like today and supposed to be for the next few days. So the morning started at Overmountain where the fog cleared and the view came back. So everyone got to see what they had missed yesterday. Woke up fairly late at 6:45 to a lot of people already packing but most of mine was already done. Got out just after 7 and went for the road to get pizza. The first mountain, yellow mountain nearly kicked my but. Was feeling sluggish and slow and my ankle was hurting from the get go. Second mountain wasn't so bad and had some great views with a lot of wind, you could look back along the ridge and see the trail between the two. Finally made it to the last shelter and left a note letting everyone know I was going to attempt the town run. As I near the road there is a sign for J's market 1.1 miles east for pizza burgers and sandwiches. They closed at noon today so I had an hour to get there. I was originally going to another place two miles west so this was perfect. As I get to the place two other thru hikers are outside and tell me not to get my hopes up. Crash, no pizza or burgers or anything else as they don't cook anymore or not on Saturday's. So I had to settle for four 24 oz Dr. Peppers and a Reeses ice cream bar. Drank one on the way back and carried about 5 pounds of DP back on the trail with me. As I am approaching the trail I notice a blue tent that wasn't there when I came thru the first time. Then I see a lot of people and Fiber standing there, some one had set up trail magic after I came thru. Bob and Trish where providing candy fruits drinks and miscellaneous items to everyone. Bob had just finished section hiking this area last week I believe he said. Right after I get there everyone else arrives and I get to explain what happened. Had some milk wasabi almonds a nutty buddy and an orange and my dp. Sat there awhile before we moved on. A few miles later we get to Jones falls our potential campsite for the night. No spots anywhere we could find though the guide said there were. The falls however were spectacular, huge rock face with about a twenty foot fall onto a long slanted rock face. Got lots of pictures but the sun was right behind it so a lot didn't turn out great. So we left there for the site we are at now. By the river is a long flat grassy spot where we setup and dried everything out from yesterday. We then waded into the river and washed off ourselves and did laundry. River was very cold and I stashed my DP's in it to get cold for dinner and breakfast. We had dinner and did our hiking chores, organize gear, dishes, hygiene, hang food bags(no interesting shows tonight). Then I started the fire and we talked and watched caveman tv for several hours. Hiker midnight (9), everyone retired to their tents. Only one other person decided to cowboy camp, Shepherd and Daisy are but are away from the fire. Hover was going too but changed her mind when she found slugs on her pack laying on the ground and saw all the spiders running around. We saw a bat flying around at dusk hunting, and the frogs really starting making noise as well. They are deafening to the point you couldn't hear people talking ten feet away. They have quited down a little but still very loud. I want to go catch them and eat them but would have to go into the marshy area and also don't know how to prepare them : ( So now I am here on my bag with a stack of wood near by and the moisture level is already getting high. I have learned my lessons in the past about rivers but here we are, hopefully I can keep the fire going all night to keep away most of the moisture. Probably won't matter in the tent or not tonight. Plus I love sleeping by the fire. Probably have enough wood for only several hours though.Tomorrow is probably an uneventful day but sets us up for Kincora hostel the next day. There we decide to do the Watagua challenge or not. For all you Marriott folks following along if there is a hotel in Damascus I would love to get a form to have a good nights sleep : ) Also last night I meet another former Marriott employee. He was the Dir. of Facilities at the Albany hotel before being deflagged. Not sure how long ago that was or what his real name is, he goes by Porter out here. Should be getting back to where we will be having shorter resupply points and can update more often. I basically haven't had a true phone signal in a week and a half, only spotty on mountain tops and free wifi at the last hostel. Which I have confirmed that I am not the only one who felt that it was subpar.We pass the 400 mile marker tomorrow morning sometime, the miles seem to be getting faster and we all agree the first hundred seemed to take for ever. Before long we will be a quarter way done, its still a long way to go but its sad to think it will end. There are always other trails. Time to watch the stars.