Date: 2010-04-28
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: clear sky

April 28, 2010 ¢ Day 23 - Wednesday"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly,¢ one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."   ~Hans ChristianThroughout the night rain pelted my tent. I am very satisfied how dry the interior of my tent has stayed. By morning light the rain stopped and the majority of my gear was packed wet. I was the last one to leave the shelter area and I was not sure if I was going to make the 21 plus miles I planned on doing.The day was turning into a beautiful one. The cold damp morning was being replaced by the sun and its warmth. The trail became rocky and my stride was constantly being thrown off by the steep ascent of Blackstack Cliffs. The hard work paid off with splendid views of mountains to the east and farmlands to the west. The air was clear and crisp from the recent rains.Around lunch thirty I arrived at Jerry Cabin Shelter. It looked like the occupants had a rough go of it with the storm. When I got there the sun was shining on the shelter's picnic table and the grassy knoll in front of the shelter. I started spreading everything I had that was wet over the table and on the grass. This was a great opportunity to relax and eat lunch. Barley, a nobo thru hiker, came by and had the same idea. There was plenty of space. An hour later everything was dry, gear put away, full stomach, I was a happy hiker. Truth, AT Troll and several other hikers from the Little Laurel Shelter had been by earlier.My afternoon hike was a pleasant walk down an old farm road. I pictured a family traveling down the muddy rock road sitting on top of a wagon being pulled by horses. Then I started thinking how these were what the roads were like everywhere, jarring ruts and wheel breaking boulders that would shake out a tooth filling for modern man.Another thing I was thinking was how I felt about the white blaze. Seeing the white blaze lets the hiker know they are on the trail. Sometimes I'd be hiking along, zoning out and suddenly come back to reality and realize I haven't seen a white blaze. A little nervous and apprehensive I would pay close attention until I found the blaze. It reminded me of someone living in a city who wanders off and finds him or herself in unfamiliar neighborhood. All of a sudden you turn the corner and see a familiar landmark, street corner or white blaze that lets you know your back in the hood, you¢re on home ground with family nearby.Around 5:00 I arrive at Flint Mountain Shelter and decide to have a snack. Relax the feet and weigh my options for the night. I could stay at this shelter or, continue on with a night hike to meet Truth and Troll and Hogback. Barley comes in and we start talking about the options. I asked him if he was up for a night hike. Barley thought about it and said "Let's do it!" The terrain was in our favor except for an up going out of Devil¢s Fork Gap. Around 9:00, as the last flicker of daylight faded, Barley and I entered Hogback. I think Truth was surprised to see me and led me over to his fire to catch some warmth. As a reward for a great day the full moon rose above the mountain poking it huge orange ball through the naked trees. I quickly fell asleep in the shelter only to be woken throughout the night by the brightness of the moonlight.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe