Date: 2018-06-12
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

It was chilly again this morning after a night of thunderstorms.  We all slept well in our shelter. It was just the three of us, and I like that. However, it turns out that our shelter was suppose to be closed to overnight sleeping. That explains why nobody else joined us. Another hiker stopped by this morning and told us the Gypsy Moths have damaged trees, and they were falling. It was closed for both sheltering and tenting, but there was one tent set up by us too. Thank God no trees fell during the storm and we¢re all alive to tell our story.  I made myself some hot tea this morning. It warmed me up and helped wash down my tortilla with Nutella and baby bell cheese. Then a SOBO stopped by looking for his stepfather who happened to be the hiker who is very hard of hearing. He had packed in some Oreos for his stepdad and shared a few with us. Now my breakfast was complete! I started out in the lead again today. It was chilly and overcast, but my first half mile was great. I was hiking beside a river with a few small rapids. That sound of rushing water gets me energized. Trust me I needed that energy! The next 3.5 miles were very difficult! Those Gypsy Moths really did a number on the trees. Lots of trees have fallen. I was forever climbing over or squatting under fallen trees. Squatting with a full pack isn¢t that difficult...getting back up is. I had to drop my pack once in order to squeeze between limbs.  Hugs counted 21 trees in our path, but I¢m sure there were hundreds down that were not on the trail. It was a tough hike! To top it all off, I was going UP.  When I made my way out of the fallen trees area the trail became rocks. Everything was wet since it had stormed last night, and I knew I was in for some cautious steps. For the next 3 hours I could not look anywhere but down if my feet were moving. Many times I would think my feet were safely planted on a rock only to have it move when my weight shifted. That wouldn¢t be so bad except once it leaned a different direction my feet started sliding because of all the wet moss. My trekking poles were put to good use today. By the time I made my way out of those rocks I was physically and mentally exhausted. It was all UP too. I came to a false summit with a parking lot and waited there for Hugs and Big Kahuna. There was a sign directing folks to Wind Rock for the great view at 4,019ft elevation. I had already hiked almost the whole way up so I thought I would give it a try. It was still overcast so no view. Just a gray abyss. I tried to call Papa Big Swig since I was up that high, but not a good enough signal for that either. Turns out Wind Rock was just extra steps.  Leaving Wind Rock the terrain quickly changed to a softer flatter surface. Those beautiful ferns were on both sides again with vibrant splashes of orange colored Azaleas throughout. This was the highlight of my hike today. Until...I found myself looking at another Doe. She was grazing beside the trail. I stopped walking and pulled out my camera. She didn¢t flinch at all. As a matter of fact she kept grazing and walking towards me. Not close enough to touch her, but really really close. She would look up at me and move closer. Hugs was behind me and saw what was happening so she stopped. The deer did the same thing to Hugs, then to Big Kahuna too! It was the coolest thing! Blessed blessed blessed! My very most favorite part of the day! I only had about two more miles to reach the shelter. It was all ridge hiking, and it was all down. I turned at a switchback and found myself in Mountain Laurel happiness again! I know I talk about Mountain Laurel a lot, but it¢s honestly like someone just flipped on the lights. My pictures never do it justice, but for real no matter how dreary or foggy it really is, for that time it¢s like the sun is shining and there¢s only happiness. I wish EVERYBODY could experience what it¢s like!  The shelter was pretty full tonight so I chose to pitch my tent. The other hikers had already built a fire. They got caught in the rain last night and were drying their wet clothes. The three of us cooked our dinners and played cards by the fire until 8pm. That¢s hikers midnight.  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?