Date: 2003-07-23
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Loft Mtn. Campground
Miles today: 7.4

start Blackrock Gap Hutdestination Loft Mtn.CampgroundI knew we were going to do a short day today, so I made no attempt to get out of bed early. Just to lay here and stretch and take my time getting up. There are blue skies this morning. So much for scattered showers today! No, I am not complaining. I treated myself to some granola that one of Mudbutt's friends, Daria, had sent us. With some dry milk mixed up with the spring water, it was great!! I took plenty of time to enjoy a cup of hot tea also. I was not on the trail but a few minutes when I came to the summit of Blackrock Mountain. It was breathtaking to say the least. On one side of the trail as far as you could see up, were huge rocks all strewn about. On the other side of the trail as far as you could see down were more rocks, cascading into the rolling mountain valley. I wondered if this is what the White Mountains will look like. I stop and sit for a few minutes, taking it all in, how majestic this mountain must have been at one time, before so much of it went tumbling down the mountainside. I take several pictures, but I know that a camera will not do this justice. Mudbutt and I skip lunch, dreaming of cheeseburgers and chocolate shakes at the campground. This definately puts a bounce in our step. Today is totally opposite of yesterday. I feel like I could hike 20 miles without any effort. I am not sure what the difference is\was but I like this feeling. We get to the campground and pick out a spot close to the telephone and the toilets! We have our priorities you know! Our tents go up in a hurry and we head to the Wayside Cafe and Giftshop 1.5 miles away. Now that is how bad we wanted a cheeseburger! We are not disappointed though. The burger was great, as was the french fries. The shake was mediocre but tasted wonderful anyway!! Mudbutt manages to yogi us a ride up to the campstore. This saves us a mile of walking, all uphill. I walk through the store several times contemplating what to buy. I really don't need anything, but fresh pears catch my eye and I can't resist. Then I cave in and buy a pack of Oreos to go with my powdered milk. I am disappointed that there is no regular milk in small containers. I also get a bottle of grape juice for my breakfast in the morning. I eye the cured sliced ham several times, along with a half dozen fresh eggs, it would make a great breakfast. I manage to restrain myself. I am in line to check out when Mudbutt answers a question about campground registration for a lady standing in line. As she gets out of line I jokingly ask her if she has room for 2 people in her vehicle. She says she should, she is in a motor home. Minutes later we are happily riding up the mountain to the campground. Mudbutt has never been in a RV before. I think she is in love now!Back at camp, we hang our fod bags and actually get to sit at the picnic table without the bugs toting us off. What a treat! We watch as a young buck calmly comes into our campsite, munching happily on the grass. He gets directly under our food bag and looks up, sniffing warily. It is just out of his reach. He is not afraid of us in the least. I head just across the way to the phone and call home. It takes a series of calls and return calls to reach Papermaker. After talking to him, I go back to camp and finish my emails. Mudbutt goes to send her emails and the phone rings just as she gets there. It is Papermaker asking to speak to me. She calls me and when I get to thephone and say hello, I hear this tiny voice ay "Hello, say Nana." It is Bryson, my 3 year old grandson. Or is he 2? I don't have my address book with me, so I don't remember. We only have 15 grandchildren between us. My heart does flipflops as I talk to him, then my son and his wife. It is a treasured conversation, yet it makes me really homesick. They are doing extra good at keeping me in Bryson's mind. He says his Nana is in the sticks, when you ask him where I am. I tell them all goodbye and retreat back to my tent. There is a heavy mist blowing in through the trees, giving everything a magical appearence. It falls in light droplets on my tent. That matches my thoughts tonight, soft gentle tears, a longing for home, family and friends. I realize that already too soon my hike will be over. I don't want to rush it, but I also realize that Iam homesick for hugs from my husband and kids and grandkids. For the familiar feelings that a home brings. But for now, for yet another night, I am at home. Because for now, this is where my heart is. total miles 7.4