Date: 2018-05-14
From: Boiling Springs ATC

To: Sherwood Dr
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Michael the shuttle driver arrived a few minutes early to get River and I to our needed slack pack locations. As I was getting ready to go I noticed my hotel room door wasn't locking. Vinay, the manager called maintenance and they we're there in less than a minute. It's not that I had any money in my room but all I need out here is in there! I only have my wallet, sunglasses, some snacks, rain jacket, 1 liter of water and some aqua tabs with me today. And my trekking poles of course!Michael dropped me off at the ATC in Boiling Springs just before 8:45. The center was open so I went in for a minute to say hello. I left my AT passport back in my room and I was bummed because I wanted to have it stamped. The woman was really sweet and stamped a piece of paper I can attach to my passport instead. Sweet! There's been an issue in town with trail magic in the form of coolers unattended on the side of the road and at trail heads. It's created an issue with animals and also some hikers who hang around town for free food, gear and accommodations. The ATC is running a campaign titled " don't feed the wildlife" and it's a photo of hikers inside a cage. Kind of humorous. I set off for my 12 miles from the porch there. It was foggy but nice. After a short road walk I entered the woods for a bit. I couldn't resist sending a video to Brian. The birds were so loud and beautiful it was just music to my ears. I was cruising along because the terrain was very flat. The trail had usual rocks and roots but today was an easy day despite the 12 miles. From the woods the trail suddenly opened up to a farm. Beautiful pasture area and the trail skirts along the woodline. The ATC purchased land here years ago to eliminate a 14 mile road walk. They lease the property out to local farmers. It's really beautiful. I passed thru several farms with steps that took me up and over the fence and into the field. It was a great mix of farm pasture, woodland and riverside walking. An uneventful day. Eventually the fog burned off and the sun claimed victory. I stopped at a spot just outside the cow pasture where a path had been mowed out about 200' to a picnic table beside a small private pond. It looked like someone's special spot as there was a small vintage camper there which looked as though it hadn't been used for a while. It was just a really sweet spot. I sat on the picnic table and took off my shoes to rest my feet a bit. It was wonderful to not have my heavy pack and also not be rushed. Michael was picking up a group at Sherwood Dr at 4pm and I'd catch a ride back to the hotel that way. So I dawdled and 100% enjoyed my pace. I stopped in at the Scott Farm which is owned by the ATC and used as a work center. They provide potable water, privy and picnic area. I signed the trail register and noted the sign on the water hydrant stating the water tested positive for bacteria and would need to be treated. Not seeing the privy I moved on. I was almost done now and I could wait. I loved the boardwalk areas along the river. I met a woman with a beautiful black lab and ran into Thumper who was slack packing sobo on the section. We stopped and chatted a few and went on to finish up our miles. I came across a funny sign "Trip Hazzard ahead" which made me laugh. The whole trail is a trip hazzard. Seriously! I also came across a cemetery from the 1700's and 1800's belonging to the Chambers family. I spent a few minutes there reading the stones. We live so much longer today and I'm grateful for the opportunities that presents.I finished up at 2:30 and didn't want to wait for Michael so I called an Uber. While I was waiting at the small parking area on Sherwood Dr a couple called me over to their SUV. I met Giddy Up and Fearless and they gave me some nuts and a soda. Giddy Up is hiking and his wife Fearless is slack packing him. She just completed her thru hike and he's starting his. They support each other and they'll attend trail days in Damascus before she heads home and he continues north. Very nice people. My Uber arrived and drove past. He's never picked up a hiker before and it was foreign to him because I'm litterally on the side of the road. He figured it out and came back. My first Uber and his first hiker. He dropped me back at the hotel where I rinsed the mud off my clothes in the shower and hung them up. River stopped by and was headed to do laundry so when she was done with the washer I paid for the dryer and we threw mine in too. River wanted to drink the last 3 beers she had purchased the day before. 3 local brews. So I helped! We split the 3 and chatted in my room until dinner time. By now T-Bird and Ambassador had checked in to the hotel. We invited them and Thumper to all join us for dinner at the Middlesex diner. Ambassador was tired and declined but T-Bird, River, Thumper and myself walked next door and rounded the day out with dinner together. The comradeship is really nice. I like it. We hike our own hikes but meet up and it's a perfect blend. After returning from dinner it was late, well past our bedtime. I watched TV for a little while, Highway Thru Hell? It was intense. I haven't watched TV for 2 weeks and I could feel my adrenaline. I had to turn it off. It's time to sleep. Tomorrow I check out and get underway again.