Date: 2015-05-08
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Stealth camp near mile 461.0
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

Today the hiking was mostly unremarkable, but there were two lovely exceptions.For some reason, I had no sense of urgency about getting started this morning, so I just relaxed and took my time and left camp at 7:30. We were going to meet for lunch at the next shelter at 7.x miles, which seemed early but then we're pretty much always hungry so it doesn't really matter.Again, I was surprised by how fast the first three or four miles went. I was just about to cross a somewhat major road (as in, not a gravel Forest Service road) when I noticed a bright orange metal box on the side of the trail. There was a sign duct taped above it (camo duct tape. Nice touch!) that said to help ourselves to anything from the box, that this was from Nelson Chapel Baptist Church in Mountain City TN and that they were praying for us. Inside, there was a cooler with sodas, a container with hiker snacks and a container with things like band aids and other miscellaneous stuff that hikers might have use for. So, I took an Crush Orange (for the non Americans among you, that is a soda I had never tasted before), a little Debbie apple pie and a brownie for the road. The Little Debbie pie was 410 calories! Now that is efficient hiker food. No idea who eats this stuff in real life, but it sure hit the spot at that moment! Thank you Nelson Chapel Baptist Church!Immediately after the trail magic and then the road crossing, there was a short section of trail that was handicapped accessible. It was on the edge of a farm and seemed totally random but it was a lovely spot. The accessible stretch only went a little way but the trail continued through the field a bit longer, among dandelions, buttercup and cow pies. There were no cows when I went through but from the register in the next shelter I understood this to be the exception. It was a really nice change from the regular woodsy scenery. For some reason, it reminded me of New Mexico, even though it was really much too green for that.Of course when I got to the shelter, I was still full from Little Debbie (wait, that doesn't sound right!) so lunch was postponed another four miles. Which went by fast also, because it was just that kind of day. The terrain has been very easy the last few days, as you might have guessed from our daily mileage. And even better, the cranky knee seems to have left after three days of 'level' hiking. Fingers crossed it stays that way!As another nice surprise, there was a picnic table at the revised lunch location, so we could eat like civilized people (even if we don't smell like civilized people!). Outro, Tarp Man, Yoda, Cherokee and I all converged there for lunch. Yoda was suffering with blisters by then. She is anxious to get to Damascus and fix her shoe problems.We all met up again at the next shelter, 15.x miles in. But nobody decided to stay. Tarp Man had his sights set on town and a steak, Outro (who only started April 8 so she is flying!) was going to a camp site just before town and the three of us were going to hike until we saw a good stealth spot.And that's where we are now, after dinner, towelette baths and blister doctoring. Yoda and I shared dinners. She asked if I liked Mac and cheese and I had to tell her I don't know. I mean, I like Gary's Mac and cheese with bechamel and truffle cheese but that's not usually what you'd find pre-packaged. . It was pretty good though and I have no idea if that means it was pretty good, or my taste buds are shot because of all the crap I've eaten (hello Little Debbie).Tomorrow we have a short day into Damascus where I am hoping to pick up care packages, drink a latte and eat a burger (not necessarily in that order) before mrs. Cherokee comes to pick us all up. I advised Cherokee to tell her to bring a few old t-shirts so she wouldn't have to suffer quite as much. Because while we don't exactly smell like daisies, it's really the clothes in general and shirts in particular that make your eyes water. 7 days (8 tomorrow) without a shower will so that, apparently. Who knew? Open map in new windowWant to add a map to your journal?