Date: 2003-07-15
From: Deer Lick Shelters

To: Quarry Gap Shelters
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up late today...8:30ish. I actually slept quite well once I got to sleep. It's always a restless sleep in a shelter, as the floor is hard on the hips...you constantly have to change positions. We ate a pretty leisurely breakfast...with only 15 miles to do today, we could start a little later. The terrain started out pretty easy, but then we had an ascent to Chimney Rocks that had the old heart racing. It was slightly warmer and much more humid today, so I was sweating like crazy. We had stopped to get water from a springhouse that was right on the Trail, so I was fully loaded with water, and drank well over 5 liters today. The side trail to Chimney Rocks was short, so we took a snack up and enjoyed a very nice view from them. From my perch, I couldn't see anything manmade...just mountains, trees and a lake that I would want to jump into, were it closer. There was a great breeze there, as well...difficult to leave and start hiking again. The hike to Caledonia S!tate Park from there was a mix of ups and downs, just little ones, then a big down into the park. Rocks were a big feature of the afternoon, however. It definitely makes the hiking more mentally, as well as physically, challenging. Not that you can shut your mind off when you're hiking on easier terrain, but at the end of a run of rocks, you feel much more exhausted. The park was a welcome sight, then, when we arrived. There was a snack bar where we had planned on having dinner. Randy ate two hamburgers, two hot dogs, fries, a large coke and an ice cream. I had a chicken tenders combo, with several coke refills and ice cream. Gerri had two hot dogs, fries and a soda. We were feeling very full and content by the time we were ready to move on to the shelter. As a matter of fact, it was difficult to move! There was also a pool there, which Iceberg Slim and Snot Rocket took advantage of. It was only another 2.5 miles to the shelter. We explored what may have been !housing for quarry workers during our hike up. When we came around the corner, we spied the most gorgeous sight! This shelter is two in one...set side by side, they have a breezeway in between them that houses the picnic table. There is a tarp that rolls up behind the table, that can be lowered in case of bad weather. There are hanging plants in front of the shelter, as well as a landscaped stream leading from the spring. The piece de resistance were solar powered lights that lined the stream, as well as the pathway to the privy, and a park-style bench. I'm in heaven! We set up in one of the shelters and enjoyed the amenities. A maintainer came by and we talked with him for awhile. Sadly, he was here to remove the lights...apparently, they are "detracting from people's outdoor experience". It's too bad...I thought they were fun. Oh, well. Just had a late snack and a vat of super-saturated Tang, so I'm sure I won't be getting to sleep anytime soon! Ooops! And I have to hike HOW far tomorrow?? I'm being bombarded by bugs !because I have my headlamp on, and I'm not safely in my mesh-filled tent, so I shall end this now. Loving life on the AT!!