Date: 2015-03-13
From: Winding Staircase Gap

To: Wesser Bald
Miles today: 21.0

Out of town and back on the trail.This morning, I awoke dry and comfy... I was still in town! The little town of Franklin was a good spot to take a zero. The town operates a shuttle (similar to an airport shuttle) to carry hikers to and from the trail. This helped spur business in town and greatly helped us thru hikers. As I got on board the shuttle, I spotted a familiar face! It was Hermit, an he was heading back out on the trail. The bus was nearly full, which gives you an idea of just how many hikers are out there.We were dropped off at about 930am, just in time for the rain to start. Since I wanted to avoid passing most/all of the other hikers, I dashed up the trail right away.The route ascended back up towards the ridge line. I felt good after the day hiatus. This day would be an excellent day to film rain! How's that for turning a positive on the weather.The rain steadily picked up throughout the day. It was in the upper 30's to lower 40's. This is the type of situation to be careful with. Hypothermia can come very quickly in weather like this.The hikers behind me quickly disappeared from view. We were clearly not on the same pace. It was good to be alone. I hit my stride right away and hunkered down for a long day (mostly likely without any stops).I couldn't see any of the views, but I did get to see a cool rock tower that had been restored. It was a watchtower from the 1930's.As the morning turned to afternoon, the day got colder and wetter. I could not envision stopping in weather like this.As I dreamed of a hot chocolate and a hot dog, I suddenly and happily saw FreshGrounds set up. He was giving trail magic in this abysmal weather. It was wonderful!!! I even got a hot dog and hot chocolate. I couldn't have been more thankful!Thank you FreshGrounds!!! You are amazing!!!!!! Awesome!!!But, just as emotions swing in one direction, often times it can swing back the other way just as fast. I had hiked on past Leapfrog Cafe (FreshGrounds set up) and come up on a shelter to grab some water at.There was a couple there who was very nice and fairly clueless. First, they had strewn their belongings all over the front of the shelter so that I could barely set down my pack. Then, as I was filtering my water, the girl kicked over my open pack into a giant puddle, dumping my pack and its contents into the wet, muddy mess.She just kept saying, "Did I just do that??", as her leg was still extended in the air.I kept thinking, " you better believe you did.... How about an apology??"Nope.It didn't matter... Once it was wet, it was wet....one of the good lessons of the trail-- it doesn't matter who was at fault, it only mattered how to best manage the current situation.I hiked until 5pm when I pulled into a shelter..   It was raining and there was room. I met two hikers there- LunchBox and Lonerboner. It was cool to chat up LunchBox as he did the PCT in 2012. I recognized LonerBoner from Squatch's AT video... Small world.The rain briefly subsided after I had been there a while. LonerBoner had dozed off and was already snoring. That decides it!! I am setting up my tent!. The weather forecast is ever-changing and now sounds like we will be getting rain next week too. The rain can stop at anytime.... Just sayin'...Time to sleep!!