Date: 2006-04-12
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Trail days are better than town days. Town days are necessary for resupply, rest and being social. They're great and they have their purpose. But the moving and the miles are the most satisfying. They're work. I'd be wrong if I said you have to hike and sweat to earn a town day. They always follow days of work and sweat, but they aren't the reward. Reaching the shelter or spot for the night isn't a reward either. They're all just parts of a whole. Hike, rest, hike, rest, the daily routine.Hiking is solitary even if I'm sharing the path for a while. Campt at night has an element of solitude. We have our own personal reasons for being here. But we're also sharing a common experience. I love it, sharing encouragemant and comraderie.Yesterday's hike was about putting miles behind. The satisfaction was in the work. Today was a bigger mileage day but it was about taking pleasure from the trail.I had a cup of coffee with breakfast, a luxury I plan to enjoy every day until the supply from my birthday box gives out.The trail has its ups and downs, but nothing like yesterday's string of steep climbs. Four miles into the day I found a sign at a road crossing giving directions to breakfast trail magic for anyone who wanted to detour. The day had onlt started but I won't break my rule of always accepting food and gifts when offered. Besides, I couldn't pass up Belgian waffles. I walked 300 yards up the interstate and turned up the drive just past the North Carolina state line. There was a big log cabin style house set back on the hillside, a shiny SUV and minivan parked out front, normally that kind of place would make me runin terror. But... free food. Long Haul was just leaving and promised I wouldn't be disappointed. I was at the house of Jodie and John Nelsonm thru-hikers from '99. They love the trail and hikers and giving back. After I washed my grubby hands Jodie took my waffle order. Yes, of course I wanted pecans along with butter and syrup. Yes, of course I wanted homemade bread with apple butter while I waited. And coffee, more coffee.John and Jodie were still high on their hike from seven years ago. They recalled stories like it was yesterday. They are the type who remember the names of every mountain, gap and shelter. They also understand hikers' motivations and their highs and lows. They know what it means to be out here. I don't usually have the words to say how important this is to me, but they know. I didn't have to describe it to them, a great relief.Peach cobbler with ice cream followed and I browsed through the register and pictures of folks who have passed through this season. I was elated to find Monk, Milk Dud, Train, Ajax and the Turtles. I asked about Bush Whacker. They'd heard of him but not seen him. They'd also heard of me and said folks miss me up the trail.I left as Confused, a southbound hiker was working on his plate. The long haired guy from last night's shelter was coming up the stairs. He wanted relief from bad blisters as much as he wanted food. Jodie gave me a hug along with contact information to call for encouragemant. I assured her I'd need it along the way. Then back to the next 11 miles of trail.Sunny day, but not as hot as yesterday. Perfect light through the trees. No leaves yet, but flowers in bloom and bees and flies buzzing. I wish I knew my flowers and what I'm looking at. My pack felt fine and I cruised through the hills. I was so in the zone that I missed the side trail to the Rich Mountain fire tower.I got to Spring Mountain Shelter for a water stop, take pack off and be lazy in the sun. Long Haul and Ozzie were already there. Sputnik, who I'd last seen at Standing Bear was stretched out in the shelter. The father and son from last night arrived and threw up their tent.