Date: 2004-05-31
From: Apple House Shelter

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: moderate rain

A Spot of Light in the WoodsStart: Apple House Shelter @ 0957 Finish: Moreland Gap Shelter @ 1728Miles: 18Weather: Rain in morning, cloudy w/ some sun in afternoon. Cool temps.Breakfast: Vanilla CIB, Chocolate Chip Poptarts.Lunch: Beef jerky, Snickers, Twix, Oat n' Honey, Fruit Punch Gatorade.Dinner: Mountain House Noodles & Chicken, Twix, Snickers, Beef Jerky, Water.Trail Conditions: Very muddy, many PUD¢s, numerous streams and springs.Animals: Lizard, Centipede, insects.People: Day hikers, Donald Moody, David, Jacob (Oats), Hansel & Gretel.We got a super big storm last night at about 0420. The wind kicked up to at least 50 mph and huge claps of thunder and lighting could be heard/seen to the north of us. Judging by the entries in the Moreland Gap register, the brunt of the storm must have hit this mountain. It continued to rain all morning and I really had no desire to start hiking¢¦thus my late start time.I started the trail in a damp & cold rain for about 3 miles before it finally stopped. I ran into the German couple again, we had missed each other on Roan Mountain. There was also a family out for the weekend that tented in the rain. Anywho, the trail was quite muddy and slippery and passed through several large fields and balds in the first few miles. I am enjoying walking over these balds. The views are great and they are just cool to see up close and from a distance. Coupled with a lot smaller and fewer climbs, the topographic changes, as I enter Virginia, are a welcome change. There were numerous streams and springs, and several water falls along today¢s hike. You could see the power of last night¢s storm as many trees had fallen over the trail and elsewhere in the woods. There was one tree that was at least 8 feet around snapped in half!Everyone I saw today, I saw in the first three miles. This shelter is somewhat remote, and I am between hiking packs, so everyone is either a day or two ahead or behind. Therefore, I am spending my first night alone in a shelter while I have been on the AT. It is kind of nice, but weird things go through my head when I am alone in the woods.I crossed paths with an elderly fellow out hiking on the trail today. We stopped and chatted. His son (or son-in-law, I can¢t recall) is section hiking, so Don slack packs David and meets him at road crossings ahead. While Don waits he heads out on the trail until he comes across David and then they hike to the car. Anywho, I told Don I was from Michigan and it turns out that several years back he magiced two hikers from my area. The Admonds, a father/son team, completed the trail and have maintained correspondence with Don. Anyways, the wife of the Admonds wrote an AT cookbook I used to prep for my hike, and they also volunteer with the North Country Trail Association in our area. Although I do not personally know the Admonds, I look forward to meeting them with I return home and sharing my story. Don & David MoodyI love how out on the AT you cross ways with people that are total strangers, yet have similar connections. I cannot help but to believe that all things happen for a reason. I believe that run-ins like today are more than mere coincidence. I could have been anywhere else today and not have seen Don¢¦but I was on the AT in the woods. These moments of providence leave me with much to think about and be grateful for.One Year Reflection