Date: 2015-05-01
From: bald mountain shelter

To: Road to Erwin/Uncly Johnnys
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept warm! I decided to sleep in just my wool base layers and put Sam's (shuttle driver form the beginning of the hike) double walled wool mittens on my feet. The air in my bag was warmed by my body heat more effectively than when I layer- so I am sticking with that plan. It was in the mid 30s and I woke up to condensation in my tent-evidence of my body heat.I got up and retrieved my bear bag. I was eating cereal when Yoda, a woman from the Tampa area, came over and wished me happy birthday. Even though I had been thinking and talking about it for a week, I forgot. I went back to my tent and shot off a couple of posts about my fundraiser, and then to celebrate my big day, I changed my underwear. Yeah. Clean wool boxer shorts. I felt like Cinderella- ready for the ball. I headed out of the shelter, second to Fiddler who beat me out by 10 minutes. I didn't realize it, but D.No and C.Shell were also camping at the shelter. I had come in late and they were already in their tent, so we didn't see each other. C.Shell saw my orange prison crocs bouncing on the back of my pack on the way out and called after me, but I didn't hear her and I hiked on.About a half hour into the hike, the younger people who stayed at the shelter started passing me. Gadgetman Blastoise and his dog Dante, Yoda, McGuyver, and Stripes all blew by me. I have finally accepted the fact that I am a slow hiker. In my brain, I have imagined myself accepting awards for being the fastest hiker in history, but that is a defect I have had to live with my whole life. I'm slow. I marveled at the plant life today. I am starting to look at these plants as residents of the mountains rather than just plants and flowers. They live as we do. A species might be sparse and isolated here and there (country living) and more populated in others (suburbs) and densely packed in another area (Manhattan) I feel honored to be able to witness their growth and bloom. Approaching Spivey Gap, I heard voices and laughing. I wondered...trail magic? I approached the group of hikers gathered around a SUV with the hatch open, and they all looked at me and broke out into the Happy Birthday song. A group of strangers, made my day. The kids that got there first devised it. I saw a comment in my guest book a while back about how the NOBOs are trashing the trail and have heard comments here and there. My experience of these kids is much different. Without exception, the young people (and the geezers like me) are kind, respectful of the mountains, and delightful people. Most of them pick up trash when they come across it and treat the trail as the miracle that it is. Yes, I have come across some trash left behind, but considering the number of people who hike, it is miniscule. These young people make me think that the old saying - Youth is wasted on the young- is all wrong and words uttered by a grumpy person who had some shoulda woulda coulda issues. Youth is ONLY for the young. Only fresh eyes and minds can experience youth as the awakening that it is. We all had our shot. I envy them as they fly up the mountain, but I am grateful for the perspective that comes with experience.D.No and C. Shell came out of the woods as I was eating and I was so surprised and happy since I thought I was chasing them They planned to tent tonight and hike to Erwin in the morning. My plan was birthday cheeseburger and a beer.I needed 17 and had 12 to go. The rain started to fall about 3 miles out. D.No and C.Shell stopped and Ihiked on. I passed McGuyver setting up his tent and Yoda setting up her hammock in a blowing wind and rain. Cheeseburger cheeseburger. I hiked on. The view of the Nolichucky River was so beautiful- but a sharp drop off put butterflys in my stomach when I passed. The rain stopped for a while and I made my way down to Uncly Johnnys. Saw Gorp Gobbler and he gave me a hug. They g=had a bunk left, but no cheeseburger so they kindly let me catch a ride to town on their shuttle. I went the the Super 8, had a wonderful hot shower, then went on foot in search of burger and beer. McDonalds was the best I could do. Big Mac, fries, and binge watching Naked and Afraid made my birthday perfect. Thanks for akll the good wishes.