Date: 2010-03-12
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: light rain

Mud, fog, rain, wind, thunder, lightning, hail. At about 3:45 this morning, I awoke and suddenly realized that I forgot to pick up a pebble at Springer. This may sound odd, but one thru-hiker tradition is to pick up a pebble on Springer Mountain, carry it with you, and deposit it on the summit of Mount Katahdin, at the end of your journey (or vice-versa, of course). I fully intended to participate in this, but at 3:45 this morning, I realized that I missed my chance. At 3:45 this morning, I was so bummed about this that for about 1.5 seconds, I considered going back. As I awoke around 7, however, I decided that compared to my two little feet taking me from Georgia to Maine, carrying a pebble the whole way was awfully small potatoes.As I left this morning around 9, there was no rain, but a beautiful mist covered the landscape. The first couple of hours was just lovely like this. Then, we tried to take a break in Horse Gap. Only a minute or two after we sat down, the rain started. Then, the wind started. Then, the sky opened up. We quickly took off. This set the stage for the rest of the hike. Amanda and I hiked together almost all day, and the conversation was great. This really helped getting through all the nasty weather. We heard the first thunder at Justus Creek, just after we met Llano. We hiked through the storm and even brief hail, and were at the shelter before we knew it.I had a much harder time with the shelter experience last night (13 of us sleeping inside, and someone's cell phone rang in the shelter! What did he do? Answer it ON SPEAKER PHONE!), but, tonight is fantastic!!! There are six of us here- Amanda, Zipcode, Mike, Steve, Llano, and me. This crowd has been a blast! I really like everyone here, and we have laughed all afternoon and evening. There's also a group of 7 guys from Atlanta tenting here, and I've really enjoyed their company, too. We have had a couple of BIG storms this evening, but luckily I've been under cover during both. This shelter has a great covered, attached picnic table and cooking area, which made it easier to stay dry. All of my hiking stuff is thoroughly soaked, but now I am warm, dry, and cozy. One thing I haven't written about yet pretty well describes why I'm so happy to be out here. I decided during a shakedown hike in the fall that I would start every single day of my thru-hike by singing one of my favorite camp songs. It occurred to me on this shakedown hike that this particular song perfectly describes why I'm out here. So, this is how I start each day:On the LooseChorus:On the loose to climb a mountain,On the loose where I am free.On the loose to live my lifethe way I think my life should be.For I've only got a moment,and a whole world yet to see.I'll be searching for tomorrowon the loose.Verse:Have you ever seen the sunriseturn the sky completely red?Have you slept beneath the moon and stars,a pinebough for your head?Can you sit and talk with friends,though a word is never said?Then you're just like me and you've beenon the loose.ChorusThere's a trail that I've been hiking,just to see where it may go.Many places yet to visit,many people yet to know.For in following my dreams, I will learn, and I will grow,on the trail that's waiting out thereon the loose.ChorusSo in search of love and laughter,I'll be traveling 'cross this land.Never sure of where I'm going,for I haven't any plan.But in time, when you are ready,come and join me, take my hand.And together, we'll share life outon the loose.ChorusAnd indeed, I sure am happy to be out here, on the loose. Postscript, March 12, 2011: It is SO cool to reread these! It takes me back to each moment, and although I was soaking wet, I really loved this day. That shelter crew was amazing, and although I've lost contact with some folks, Moonpie (who got his name that night) and I ran into each other several more times and are still friends. I LOVE THE TRAIL!!!