Date: 2007-05-28
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Dismal Creek Falls
Miles today: 18.2

May 28, Another Day to MemorializeWhat a good day. I was supposed to wake everyone up this morning so I did so by using my tent and vestibule zippers about ten times. We were up and at 'em, ready to get after the day around 6 a.m. It was in the low sixties in my tent.Melk, Young Eagle, Ronin and I successfully carried out the said plan today and had fun doing it. We were on the trail at about 7:20 a.m. Ronin lead us down the blue-blazed trail back to the AT and then I didn't see him again until we got to the deli. The trail was peppered with notes of his actions.The morning passed fast. Melk, Young Eagle and I all hopscotched and we did the first eight miles by about 10 a.m. We took a break at the first road crossing and then proceeded on to Jenny Knob Shelter for lunch. Young Eagle (YE) and I both needed to collect water and we were bummed to find a sub-par source. I rigged a rhododendron leaf to act as a spigot and it helped a little but it took a long time. Ronin left us a note in the register saying he'd been there about an hour earlier. So, on we went.The next section of the trail was not quite as nice as the morning. Lots of rocks, tons of poison ivy, and overgrown trail. My left achilles was bothering me so I was trying to take it slow. I found a note from Ronin at the first road crossing saying he'd meet us at the next road to get to the deli. Onward. I couldn't wait to sit down.I got to the road at 3:15 p.m. with YE right behind and Melk waiting. Ronin had left us all another note saying he hitched into town already and would wait there. So we stuck out our thumbs. About ten minutes later, we got a ride and we were at Trent's Grocery store (an amazingly glorified gas station) in about 12.I feasted on a grilled chicken sandwich, pizza and chocolate milk. The four of us were there for quite a while eating lots of food and drinking lots of beverages. We carried all of our empty bottles to the register to pay - it felt odd.Melk flat out asked some guy for a ride back to the trail and he obliged so we piled into the bed of his truck. For the second time in two days, I felt like I was hiking after Thanksgiving dinner. I was pathetic. But it was only two miles.I took it really slowly - I don't recommend hiking after consuming that much food. But, we made it to the falls and Ronin had staked out a nice spot for camping. We told him he needs to have a handicap if we're going to hike together - he has to leave camp later or something.So, we are at Dismal Creek Falls with lots of other fun folks - Chef, Popeye, Lightweight, JB, Dingo, Bigby and I think that's it. The falls are beautiful and I had a good night just hanging out with everyone. We cooked some hot dogs and marshmallows over the fire and just relaxed. Later, Melk, YE, Ronin, Bigby and I would have an extensive conversation about music. It was a great day capped off by a great night. I'm enjoying getting to know the folks out here and actually having the time to hang out a bit. I'm not sure I'll know what to do when we can't hitch to town for lunch though, I'm afraid that's spoiled me.- Sound of rushing water at the falls, zippers in Ronin's tent, snoring from YE's tent.Post Trail Thoughts:Melk, Young Eagle and Ronin would later give me hell for all of the zipper noises my tent made each morning. I couldn't help it though!It was so exciting following Ronin's notes all day. I think it brought me back to grade school when we traded notes during class. I was always on the lookout for his green duct tape.Great night.