Date: 2009-10-01
From: Logan Brook Lean-To

To: Antlers Campite
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I packed up a very wet tent this morning and set out in shorts, not because it was a balmy start to October but because it seemed the best way to try and stay reasonably dry. Light drizzle, wet foliage, a trail of puddles - in the circumstances this seemed the best option. It was also a chilly option and to compensate for my exposed spindly legs I ensured my upper-body was well wrapped up beneath 3 substantial layers of clothing and that my hat remained well and truly lodged upon my head.Keeping up a steady pace to ensure an acceptable body temperature I passed Meow and Lady Jah as I was heading up Little Boardman Mountain before, after finding some reasonable shelter, finally stopping to snack. Although the break was welcome it was distinctly chilly on the old hands and I did have some trouble operating the various buckles, clips and small spring locking plastic things that lay between me and my coveted stash of chocolate.I passed a pond with a small sandy beach but today it was more like Aberdeen than the Algarve and then I headed down to Copper Brook Falls Lean-to for lunch. I pitched my tent to try and take advantage of the breezy conditions, hoping to dry it out a little before I would call it home again later on this evening. The shelter was surprisingly busy: Jim Dandy, Y-Knot, Meow, Lady Jah, Me, some trail maintainers and a couple of south bound hikers. Busy but with no real sense of fellowship or camaraderie, each wrapped up with their own stuff, no real interaction. Sometimes its like that.But fellowship and camaraderie lay only a stone's throw away (well 3 miles) arriving at Jo-Mary Road to find Two Lions. Two Lions had completed his own thru hike 5 days ago and decided to repay some of the love he had received by setting up camp and his very own hiker 'soup kitchen' right here. He said that he wasn't quite ready to call it a day yet, so came down to dispense some magic, some congratulations and hopefully to see a few old faces (as well as new ones). His efforts were very much appreciated; not just on terms of the cheeseburger, the root bear, the real beer, the chips, cookies and cakes but because of the ambience they helped to create. The disjointed feel at the shelter was replaced by unhurried chatter, shared experiences, new friendships. I had the opportunity to speak to Jim Dandy and Y-knot, to hear Two Lions stories and thoughts and to laugh along with Meow and Lady Jah, who had met Two Lions way back in Virginia and fondly (and amusingly) remembered him and some of the characters he had been hiking with. This was the life. People are definately part of the trail and Two Lions helped to provide the perfect opportunity to appreciate just how important that is. Thank you sir.Time came to leave though. I said my farewells and had a splendid late afternoon stroll to Antler's Campsite. The weather had taken a turn for the better; clear, dry and chilly but after the overcast and misty morning it was a real fillip. It was also a smashing spot to stop for the night: by the side of a lake with plenty of well spaced out and great camp spots. My tent dried out nicely and thanks to Two Lions my food situation was looking rather healthy. I had dipped into tomorrows bag for a Twix and a pop tart but now I had today's tuna, granola bar, cliff bar and bagel to carry over. Really, what more could you ask for?