Date: 2006-05-23
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: clear sky

It's noon and we're at Hughes Gap. Today is gorgeous, 75, small breeze, bright sunny skies. We spent last night in the shelter with a father, Warthog, and daughter Stephanie, and their dogs, Sally and Luther. They're very nice. They're sectioning right now, and have done a bit of hiking as a family, and individually, AT, and all over the west. I'm reminded of my parent's dream to buy a camper or RV, and how my maternal grandparents camping trips to the Smokies inspired me so much. I wish my family had just bought a tent and camped, rather than dream about camping in a trail we couldn't afford. Anyways, they just caught up and had a bit of lunch while the four of us chatted a while.There's just so many lessons taught out here. There was a day, shortly before I left, I ran across the saying, "When the student is ready, the teacher appears." A couple more snapshots. Friday night, around the firepit, a group chorrrrus singing, "Dont, worry about a thinkin, cause every little thing's gonna be alright." Sunday, driving home with Shelly, Van Morrison kicking in with "Days like These". I'm back, funny how things work out. Last night at Clyde Smith Shelter, I picked up a bunch of trash around the site. I found a Lipson Ice Tea can with the old-fashioned pull tab top. Anyways, knowing we'd meet Janet in 3 miles, I grabbed some other thru hiker's trash and packed it out as well. It kept falling off my pack, so most of it wound up in my pockets, (In baggies of course). I was wishing for a grocery bag, and voila! I found one as soon as I got to the road. AFter lunch, I walked 1/4 mile each way up and down the road. People, stop throwing shit out of your cars!!! I'm probably preaching to the choir here, as you're mostly likely a hiker if you're reading here at trail journals. I found enough soda and coffee cups, pop, and juice bottles, and beer containers to fill the bag to overflowing. Besides, you shouldn't be drinking and driving either! Ok, back again.2:15 now. Around 1:00 I mentioned we should be seeing Adam, Chat, and Becka, now known as Count Sportula, Gastank, and Tomato Gravy. Adam went from TI85 to Tinkle-heehee- and now camp up with Count Sportula. Anyways, I hear Gastank come down the hill at 1:15. They hung out for an hour, and Gastank and Count Sportula took off. We'll hang out oa bit more, no cell signal yet.Back for the last time today. It's 11:00 and the night sky is full of jewels (and airplanes, ick). Janet showed up 5 minutes after Chad and Adam left. Miss Janet smiled when she saw us and remarked, "You all are a trusting bunch. I didn't know if you'd still be waiting." She busted out some magic, milk, gatorade, apples, donuts. Then she offered to slack us up past Roan Mountain which is 6150' and the Roan High Limb Shelter checks in at 6285, the highest shelter on the AT. Becka, Diesel, and I gladly accepted. Becka ran ahead the catch the guys. We didn't see the three of them until Roan. We hung out for a while. Chad had been blessed with a couple of beers from a guy in the parking lot, he shared them with us all.Miss Janet had met them there, and then slacked all of us up to Corvers Gap. We found her napping in the van. We parted ways once again. We passed up Round Knob on the way up the trail, we paused to take pics of my bald head next to the sign. LOL Becka, Diesel, and I found Adam parked on a rock, watching the sunset. We climbed up and joined him. We watched the sunset and started up to Over Mountain Shelter. It got dark quick, Adam and Becka found the turnoff, and Diesel and I blew pasat it, climbing halfway up Little Bald, steep one it is, before we really noticed. As we came down the hill, I lost my fotting and rolled my left ankle. Ouch, guess I'll learn to use my head lamp. I figured I'd be able to pick my way pack ok. NOT. By this time, the kids had come looking for us. Met met and Becka went to fill my water bottles. Chad carried my pack, and Adam led the way. They rule! I bandaged the water bags to my ankle, it's going to be tender, but just fine. No bruising, nothing out of place. I've walked injured before, no problem. It's late and I need to get ready to sleep. More magic tomorrow.