Date: 2005-04-30
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: moderate rain

I had prepared the coffee last night so that when I got up, which was shortly after six, all I did was flip the switch. Whether the smell of fresh coffee brewing got people going or not didn't matter but very shortly the coffee cups were out and many pots of coffee were consumed. Most people were going to head out today. Pacman was one of the first. His plan was the same as ours unless, as he put it, his feet felt like moving along. The five of us planned on leaving around 11:00. In the interim I, with the help of Free, whipped up some breakfast. We had purchased a pound of bacon, a dozen eggs, and fixing for omelettes at the store yesterday. Free did the prep work and I manned the stove. We managed to feed a bunch of folks some omelette or some bacon. It was a lot of fun because I enjoy cooking and the opportunity is few and far between out here. Cooking a real meal that is. The five of us headed out around eleven. Break and Linux were going to leave a bit later. The first part of the journey took us by Laurel Creek Falls and with all the rain we have had in the past the falls were in full force and very loud. It was quite the sight. There are two paths you can take here, the high water trail or the regular trail. Since I had heard nothing about needing to take the high water trail I walked down by the river. This section is a lot of fun because you walk on a rock path that is right next to the rushing river and water was real close to the trail. I had warned everyone about the climb out of Kincora but I had forgotten just how tough it was! It starts out on switchbacks and then it is just straight up and steep. Not to mention the false summits! Just when you think you are done you look up and there is a lot more up ahead. I was one tired puppy after that climb! I ran into Morel at Watauga Lake and he and I had a mid-afternoon lunch. I am sorry to report that we have all been reduced to hobbits out here. Food is always on our mind and people talk about second breakfast, elevensies, lunch, second lunch, dinner, and sometimes second dinner! One pants pocket is always stuffed with some kind of easy snack so you can munch on something while you walk. A lot of times my stomach is content with just chewing on my backbone but there are many times it screams out for more. Eventually I made it to the shelter. The skies looked like they were going to open up again so I decided to take a spot in the shelter. Draggin and AWOL were already there but they had set up their tents. Soon the rest of the crew showed up and the sheltr filled. Mr. Clean Jr., Andy, Boots, Blue Light, Poet, and myself took the shelter. Free and Serenity set up tents and then the rain started. It kept raining, as usual, and we all huddled around the few dry spots to cook our meals. Nick, Dave, Linux and Break arrived and they were pretty wet. The shelter holds six but we squeezed and made room for Break. Of course, the lady gets the spot before the guys even though Linux put on a good lost, wet, puppy dog look. I told him it wouldn't work and he laughed. We settled down with the thought that tomorrow was supposed to be clear.