Date: 2005-08-21
From: Carl A Newhall lean-to

To: Antlers Campsite
Miles today: 26.8
Weather: moderate rain

It rained all night. So we were happy to be nice and dry.We left the "odd" crew at the shelter and Mellow at 0630. We really did not want to get up and walk as it was still raining...RAIN RAIN and more Rain. Passed a Garter snake and a Silver snake both struggling to move on the wet ground. Lots of toads & frogs but they Were enjoying the rain.Slippy wet rocks, roots and mud..arrived at the campsite we expected to get to last night. One tent visible but no one awake or moving (if we were in our tent we would have staying inside too).On and up still in the rain to West Peak, sign to 'Vista'...not today...Now that we are in fog and mist we can just about see 10' ahead. Up and over Hay mountain then White Cap where we were exposed to 50mph winds along with the rest..I don't know how many times I was nearly blown away (I really could do with two arms and therefore two hiking poles..) We ran (as best I could) to get back below the tree line as quickly as possible. The descent to Logan Brook shelter was better than we expected as trail maintainers had done a lot of work putting steps in, this was for me much better than trail magic.There were 4 hikers still tucked up in their bags, Water and Wave (thru hikers) and another couple and their beautiful dog.This was my lowest point on the trail, I was fed up with being an invalid and wanted to be able to hike at my normal pace. We could have easily stopped with them at the shelter, but as I said before the mountain was not going to come to us.So on we went, this was better, the trail improved and the sun even tried to come out. At the East Branch lean-to, more hikers having an easy morning, Luna, Stephen and Dozer (his dog) they set off just ahead of us while we finished our lunch.The trail got even better, and we managed the next 5 miles in under 2 hours. We also caught Luna, Stephen and Dozer (he was stretched out all over the trail) at some trail magic left by "Spike 05"and his wife. This soda tasted fantastic, as it had really warmed up and the humidity was back to its normal high state..Onwards and the trail stayed good, took another break by a brook and just before the next shelter Mellow caught us, he stayed there. So we said our good byes to him as he was going wait and summit next sunday.On the next stretch of trail we were back to 3mph or more, Slip has gotten very cheeky or desperate as we crossed a logging road, or should I say the logging road crossed the trail, we stopped to take a break and a ford truck passed, we said hello and then Slip asked if they had a cooler in the back...I fell once but fell on my left side to protect the right one.Antlers campsite was on a huge lake, and we picked a spot with the best view by far we have slept at. Even our kitchen had a view, now if only you could put a cabin there. We had it to ourselves for 20 minutes then a family of six or so arrived followed by Luna, Stephen and Dozer.Watched the sun set, and the moon rise. It was hard to believe I was having such a bad day earlier, but this made it all worthwile. Can't believe we nearly did 27 miles today..sleeeeppppppppp.Got a signal, and a message to phone Pat, CONGRATULATIONS GERI and HE are getting MARRIED...