Date: 2004-04-22
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Big Rock Spring
Miles today: 17.1

The shock of the morning came as I went to pump water (my Aqua Mira Ran out at Standing Bear). I step the last few steps on blue blaze to witness backcountry (fill in the blank). Sarge was washing his pot in the water. Okay. So he dumped the majority, but I was three feet away as he rinsed the residual of campsuds into the water. Even his friend the thru-hiker puppet did better.Frustrated I sit and read as Sampson is the last to leave. I¢m on the trail in 20 minutes. Thank you God for Rick of Wyoming, who helped me move my focus from self to anything else. As Rick wized off, I entered some time of reflection during the ups and downs.I stepped into a sun-shadowed ridge and pause for some water. Pop! Pop! It took a step. Pop! Pop!...... I move a little, again. What¢s that moving? Another step as I watch the forest floor. Alive the ground begins to spring forth grasshoppers, and when they hit on their landing there¢s a ¢popping¢ on the grass. I continue on.Opening in a clearing, I see a bald ahead. The AT leads straight over it. After three sozen steps and walking in the worn path in the grass, we summit Max Patch. Astounding, 360 degrees of views, most glazed in light form the overcast sky. Gentle slopes, a small house on the hill over yonder. We break as Wife and Beater had been when we arrived. Some energy food, some reading of the Psalms and 1John and we started again.Woosh! That¢s what I felt like between Max Patch and Roaring fork shelter. I was zoned. The gentle down hills allowed me to keep my pace up, over around and bridges, stepping through creek after stream after creek. I was day dreaming on cloud 9. At Roaring Fork we stop for lunch. Sampson is worn out; she¢s not eating enough snickers (See Saturday¢s post to learn the joy of snickers).I went to pump water, as I squatted like a baseball catcher, whaffs of pungent odors struck my nose. What was it? I smelled my hands, no¢¦. my pits, no¢¦the plants, no. Then I looked down, while holding the filter. My legs were acting like chimneys for my shorts to vent and directing the smalls at my nose. Sick! Well I quesss seven days without showering can really make me rank. Speaking of which, I¢ve got to go. BRB.Oh. Now that I¢m out for the greatest length without a shower thanks to SGT Rock¢s info because I¢m ¢Monkey Butt¢ free. [YJ: Monkey Butt can cripple you on the trial. It is worst than blisters or knee pain.]Leaving Wife and Beater at Roaring Fork shelter, the four of us had decided to split a cabin in Hot Springs (Now it isn¢t happening). Knowing we¢d be there Sunday morning we both express excitement considering that we could go to church and hopefully celebrate the Eucharist.As we descended off Bluff Mtn, the steep trail covered several wide switch backs. But the view was awe inspiring. Leaf shaded light illuminated a lofted bed of green leafed plants. This carpet covered forest floor was fairy tail like ¢snow white and the seven thru-hikers¢. Half way down the descent was Big rock spring. I setup my hammock and made dinner.The following is Casey's ontrail entry for this date (he must have the date wrong, as I don't think he hit Erwin until 30-April)...Just and quick note: since I broke my internet disconnection (though I not goin hog wild researching gear that I've thought of last 300+ miles, just banking and the journal, I don't even plan to re to emails), I thought give a brief update.I'm in Erwin, TN at Miss Janet's always bustling hostel. Thankfully the last tonights (one i hiked in, the other a zero) have be mild on the grand scheme of how sometimes reports state the hostel to be.After Church tomorrow, Sampson, I Need A Hug, Scarecrow and I will be hitting the AT path once again.A note on zero days. I don't sleep well. It i currently 5:07 am. I've been editing photos for the journal since 3:00am. well I think it is about time for mid morning nap.byeFather Ouncethanks again to my brother Yellowjacket for maintianing the journal and being part of my gear R & D department.