Date: 2008-04-18
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

A new day. New adventures to be had. Leaping Turtle escaped this morning around 3 am. Figures. The only way he can really beat us into Erwin (as per the wager we had) is to hike when we are not hiking -- lets say, sleeping. Dirt thought we did a great job getting up and moving this morning. And, because you can't hear it in my voice I will just let you know that the previous statement is dripping in sarcasm. Like that? Dripping? Anyways. We are still a little slow out of camp in the mornings. But, we had grand ideas of making our way to the road crossing and getting a ride down the road to a diner for brunch so I wasn't too torn up about not hitting the trail on time. AND, (Dirt!) it worked every so nicely in our favor because once we made it to the overpass -- or underpass -- where we would have had to come off the trail we came across trail magic!! It was wonderful and delicious. Sauerkraut and I are trying to brainstorm the gentleman's name, but in my haste I forgot to write it down! We had bananas and cookies and apple juice and all sorts of things that hikers crave constantly. It really was perfect timing, as usual. And, without a need to get off the trail we continued on our way. If ever there was a day that I could label as "slow" -- today would be that day. We slowly made our way to the first water source. We slowly made our way to a nice tree to have lunch (Big Bald was overlooking us). Then, we slowly decided that it was time to conquer Big Bald. And we slowly made the climb up to the top. We also slowly made our way off of it because the views were fantastic. I would have loved to stay for another sunset, but the weather did not look like it was going to hold out that long and the miles called our name... we had gone so slowly that unless we wanted to hike all night long we had to be on our way. It was a beautiful hike down to the shelter which stood amongst tons of wildflowers... I just can't get enough of them! I love spring. After dinner, though, we decided that we would move along to a campsite a few more miles away. And, it was during this short hike that the hatching of plans began. We had not located the Turtle of Leap -- BUT we figured that we had at least a 50/50 chance that he did not travel the entire 27 miles into Erwin... SO, what if WE did, in fact, travel the entire 27 miles? We figured this was our one and only shot at coming out ahead in our wager... so despite Dirt's moans and groans... we made it to the campsite and then proceeded on past the campsite -- as the sun set. Night hiking rocks. But this story does not end in victory. By the time we made our way down to Spivey Gap our feet were a little weary from the miles we had put on (almost 16) -- even if they were slow. And, there was the glow of a campfire a short ways off the trail. I decided this was the perfect place to take a short break! And, there just so happened to be wonderful company around the fire to top it off. Three section hikers who we had come across several times the previous days, Chris, Peps, and Burt along with Smiley and Soul Dog made us feel right at home next to the fire... so much at home that we had a hard time tearing ourselves away from the warm fire. Soooo... after much contemplating as to whether our 50/50 shot was worth the agonizing pain in our feet (and Dirt's complaining) for another 10 miles -- even if it was all downhill... my sleeping bag won out. It was such a great night sleeping under the stars, yet again! Maybe not 27 miles, but fun nonetheless.