Date: 2008-06-08
From: Jennings Creek

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: broken clouds

Up early to get miles done before the heat begins to take it's toll.Its 95 degrees, 14 miles and all up hill.After about 4 miles I came upon the Bryant Ridge shelter. It was a new design and would have been a good place to stay. There I met 2 Nuns whom were sectioning and do so regularly. I have heard about them and now I finally get to meet them. They were quite humorous, I would have liked to have spent more time around them.I stopped at the next shelter and set up my tent as a bug net. I needed to rest and a 2 hour nap sounded great. The past couple of days have inflicted heat rash and bug bites. As I was getting water from a nearby stream, I noticed someone had left trail magic!. Laying in the water was some Cokes & bottled water, can you beat that?Just the sight of that was a huge pick-me-up. Thanks to whoever the trail angel was. I enjoyed a coke with my lunch.Afterward a nap, it was back on the trail and uphill again. Arriving on top of Apple Orchard Mountain, there was a large radar dome. This used to be part of an Air Force base in the 70's. It was from the jets flying up the side of the mountain that gave the area the name of "Thunder Hill". This was a nice place with good views. I enjoyed this part of the trail.Eventually, I arrived at Thunder Hill Shelter. There I met 2 guys section hiking. "2 Weeks" has been doing parts of the AT for the past 8 years. When he completes this trip he will only have 100 miles left to finish. Congrats for your accomplishment. He and his hiking partner have been hiking together for 20 years. How cool is that?I enjoyed dehydrated strawberries & pears that "2 Weeks" had prepared himself. It was an excellant treat out here. Thanks!Sometimes I think it would be more difficult to do the trail as "2 Weeks" is doing it? Having to re-get into shape each time, get in the groove, the To & From travel, it requires a completely different dedication and discipline. Not to mention the aging/health factor? Good Luck to you!Laying here in my tent tonight, I hear the steady drop on my tent from the "Foss"? I didn't know what that was either, so in leyman terms, it's Caterpillar Shit! That's right, The Gypsy Moths are everywhere. The steady drop of foss sounds like rain, not only here but as you walk the trail as well. You have to be here to believe it?Along the trail today, I began to hear a loud humming. It almost sounded like traffic, only I knew there wasn't any on the mountain top. Next thing I know, I am swarmed and in the middle of a dark cloud. For a split second I thought it was bees or hornets? Was I glad to find out they were flies.I would have been hamburger in no time. I haven't mentioned the blossoms and fragrances of all kinds of plants. The two that stand out the most are the Mountain Laurel & Rhodedenderun (sp)?It makes the trail a beautiful pathway,and smells so good. The word "enchanted" comes to mind. I have enjoyed this for the past few weeks, I will miss it when they go out of bloom.Shortly before arriving into camp, I passed under the "guillotine".It is a large rock that is suspended over the path which runs between two close rock faces, just feet apart. You can't help but look up and wonder?Tomorrow, is re-supply. In this heat it holds the promise of a cold drink and untold treats of the imagination?