Date: 2003-08-06
To: Blackburn AT Center
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Date: 8.6.03Starting Location: Bears Den HostelDestination: Blackburn AT CenterMileage: 7.9   Well, the day started out full of laughter. As the group of us slowlystarted to wake, we lay in our bunk beds pointing the proverbial finger atall the snorers in the room. Giggling uncontrollably, we finally all gotupand got moving. I was not up to breakfast at all, so I sat down andwatchedour young rock-climbing friends play with their packs. After some goodnatured ribbing, I walked over to them with my pack and said, "Pick thatup!". Their eyes widened, and they agreed that they would much rathercarrymy pack then theirs! We have given them trail names...'biner and ropes.They are carrying a six pound rock climbing rope and several carabiners.They may weigh alot, but they sure do look cool! :)   After bidding good-bye to all our new friends, we hiked down to thehighway. We were planning to have an early lunch at a cafe right off thetrail that is famous for being friendly to hikers. We both agree that anestablishment really has to go out of their way to cater to dirty, smellyhikers, so we feel that we should patronize them as often as possible! So,we tromped down the road to the cafe for a couple of quick cheeseburgers. Iam still in no condition to eat, but we have a long hike, so I give it mybest shot. The best thing about this diner, besides the excellentcheeseburgers, was that the owner has two Bouviers that had full run oftheplace. They are two big, black furry dogs that have impeccabletiming....the second you finish your food, they mosey on over looking foratreat! :) I was having a blast!   After enjoying our meal, we headed back up to the trail. I think thejuryis in...I am sick. I won't bore you with a list of the symptoms, but I amdefinitley ailing. They have a stack of brochures on Lyme Disease at thehostel, and funny enough...I have jsut about every symptom. So, tomorrowmorning, I am headed in to the doctors. Keep your fingers crossed thattheycan whip me in shape pretty quickly! I can't eat, so the hiking hasbecomepretty difficult, but I don't have any desire to hang out for four dayswhile the antibiotics kick in! Oh well, I will keep you informed! Due to my present condition, the rest of my hike was miserable! We hadtodo the last four miles of the "roller coaster", and it wasjust.....painful.I was out of water because the last water source in my book nevermaterialized, so I was struggling quite a bit. I came up to the top of ahill, and there was half a bottle of gatorade sitting in the middle of thetrail. I would recognize that beat-up, duct- taped bottle anywhere!Bumpkin...here she is, watching out for me again! Remember what I saidaboutmy being in good hands?!! Dusk was falling when I finally got to the turn off that goes to theBlackburn AT Center. This is a facility owned by the Potomac AT Club. Itisa beautiful, old American Chestnut cabin with a huge wrap around porch.There is also a hiker hostel around the back, but Bill and Sarah, thecaretakers, offer to let us sleep on the porch. Even in my present state, Icannot help but enjoy the atmosphere and the company. Sleep Talker ishere,and we are joined later by an outgoing young woman from Austrailia namedWalkabout. The best part of the day occured late this eveing when Bumpkins husband,Jerry, drove up to surprise her! I know she really wanted him to be herewhen she hiked over the 1000 mile mark, and here he is! What a great guy!:)   So, here I am, lying on a bench with the night sounds around me. Thelightening bugs are still trying to get in, but this time they have ascreened in porch standing in their way. The voices of Walkabout andSleepTalker drift down the hill from the hostel where they are comparing ATstories. My headlamp batteries are getting low, so I am off to sleep.Even sick, I gotta tell you...this is the life!Love, Anna aka Mud Buttwww.trailjournals.com------------------------------Local access to PocketMail mobilee-mail now available in Europe, NorthAmerica & Australia http://www.pocketmail.com