Date: 2015-06-29
From: Bulls Bridge Road

To: Silver Hill Campsite
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

6/29, 18, silver hill campsiteTo say today was full of mixed emotions and such would be a severe understatement. I woke as usual at 5:30 but Saffron and Star Trek wanted to sleep in a bit so I headed to the breakfast at 6. When I finished at 6:30 they were still sleeping so I grabbed my iPad and started watching videos in the breakfast room. At 7:15 Star Trek came in all packed and ready and said Saffron was not far behind. All of a sudden I was running late, which I hate, so I packed quickly, but carefully and we were all ready to head out at 8:30. The plan to get the 18 miles back to the trailhead was to try hitch hiking for about thirty minutes, then give up and call the 75 dollar cab. We started walking and thumbing but were not having any luck until just as I was about to give up a Honda Civic pulled over. Our trail angel said he was on his way home from work and could only take us to about five miles from our destination where he turns to go home so we climbed in. Star Trek was in the front so he had the primary yogi responsibility which in this situation entails engaging the trail angel in conversation about them and their interests making them feel comfortable about taking us all the way. Soon we all realized he was doing just that and we were dropped off at the trail at 9:30. All in all a pretty successful hitch in and out for a motel that cost half what the inns cost nearer the trail. I hiked off first expecting Star Trek and Saffron to catch me but I did not see them the rest of the day. Hiking was humid this morning but cool in he low 60's. I started with a pretty stiff 700 ft climb and quickly discovered that my achilles was feeling better so apparently the taping for support is working. (I happen to be camping with a physical therapist tonight who said as much to confirm). After the climb the trail coursed along the ridge line undulating through the trees making it a very pleasant hike. Unfortunately my head was elsewhere. I was still having a hard time seeing myself completing this journey alone. I like spending time alone but even stoic introverts like myself need someone to talk to now and then. In addition I just simply am missing Kathy, home, friends and normal life and without anyone to talk to it makes for a mopey day. The forecast for today was clear skies but the clouds persisted and even darkened at times adding to my mood. I had decided to lunch at the first shelter seven miles into my day and arrived there about 12:30. Occupying the shelter was an individual who claimed to be hiking thru, but showed all the signs of being more homeless than thru hiker. There is a fine line between the two, but thru hikers tend to carry certain gear, clothing and equipment which sets them apart from other hikers. Incidentally we have classified all hikers as either thru hikers, section hikers or day hikers so homeless is not even considered a hiker. The homeless on the trail are often the recipients of thru hiker compassion so getting food is not usually a problem. Today the individual at the shelter was very forward in asking for food or drink mix because he was almost out. The situation is really the first time I have been uncomfortable with another person on the trail so I exchanged a few pleasantries, ate my lunch quickly and moved on. I later learned from other hikers he was likely homeless since he drifts between shelters not moving very far from here. My afternoon plan was 7 more miles to the next shelter leaving me 21 for tomorrow to have a short hike into Salisbury Wednesday morning to pick up my resupply from the post office. The box I sent from Southfields via trail angel and then forwarded from Stormville should be waiting for me there by then. The trail rolled up and down over several miles leaving me more and more time alone with my dark thoughts of leaving the journey. I also managed to slip a couple times on the rocks and once landed on my hip giving my lower back the old familiar twinge. Could it be that I am not destined to finish? Near the end of the ridge I crested the final peak, Caleb's Peak, and paused a few moments to visit with the hikers resting there. As they talked I heard them speak of a hiker wearing a funny hat who had started the trail weighing 290 lbs. I quickly asked if they were speaking of Ironman Bill and Just Pete and if they had seen them recently. They answered affirmatively and in fact told me that I was only a half hour behind them! I asked if they knew where they were headed, as we exchange this type of information between hikers in the afternoon, and they informed me that they were planning to camp at Silver Hill, 4 miles beyond the shelter where I was stopping. I thanked them, bid farewell and hiked on. Actually with Bill and Pete so close I hiked quickly on, to say the least. The trail ahead included a considerably treacherous downhill over rocks made even more difficult with damp trails and wet boots. I managed to slip once more onto my rear but it seemed to be pretty gradual so I was OK to keep on. I reached the bottom of the climb down and headed onto the flat hike toward the next shelter. My step was more lively and my dark cloud was breaking as the thoughts of reuniting and finishing with Bill and Pete after all this time flooded my thinking. I arrived at he shelter to some trail magic, fruit and chips provided by a local hiker, and a grand reunion with Bill and Pete. They had been hiking with Pete's brother and left him at the train near Kent this morning then got on trail a little late themselves. It was very good to be back with them and without trying to be overdramatic, I can see the finish more now than ever! We hiked on from the shelter together since the camping area was four miles further up trail. We caught up some but mostly inventoried our injuries for each other discovering that we are still well suited to be hiking together. We arrived at the campsite around 6:00 set up our tents and shared dinner at the picnic table. There are two other hikers here as well and we are all preparing for a wonderfully clear sky and stars to sleep under. The moon is near full so stars will be limited until we make our late runs to the latrine after midnight but it will be a nice view to fall back to sleep with at that time. The bugs are getting more aggressive so sleeping under the stars involves just our tent, with no rain cover, allowing us to view the sky through the screen tent walls. With low temperatures tonight expected to drop into the low 50's I expect to sleep very well. Goodnight.Silverback