Date: 2013-06-11
From: Cornelious creek Shelter

To: Marble Spring Campsite
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: few clouds

I told myself that today was a new day, that it would be better. I dept coming up on bright orange newts right on the trail. They didn't move fast so I took one's picture and even picked it up. They were such a bright orange that it made me smile. I was going to think positive today, even though my back hurt. Just before noon it started getting dark like before it rains and thundering. I was trying to hike quickly to make it to the top of Apple orchard mountain with views then the shelter for lunch. I got to the top and saw the UFO briefly then it disappeared behind heavy fog. There were no views to be seen so I continued on my way. I stopped and ate a snack at the Guillotine. I took its picture but I wish someone was there to take mine. I met Reddup on the way to matts creek shelter. We had lunch together and she left just before Smoke and Anne arrived. It had sprinkled on them jut just fog around me. Now it was clearing up to be a pretty nice day. The next several miles were fairly easy and mostly downhill. I crossed over several streams that I could not see but only hear. The water ran completely under the rocks, occasionally seeping out into a puddle. I loved the burbling brook noise. I got to Petites Gap in pretty good time so there was just one more big up and down. I thought I was at the top but it was a false top. I told my parents I was alive but still hurting. I was annoyed at the mountain because it just kept going up and was getting steeper. There was lots of poison ivy stinging nettles laying over the trail. Finally I started to descend and I was so excited. I was going to be first into camp for once. I stopped at an unmarked trail intersection for 30 min. I wasn't sure if the trail to the left was the spring. There wasn't room but for one tent so after snacking on some trail mix, I kept going. I only walked 10 more min before I came to a large camping area with a signed spring. I was finally first so I could have my pick of a flat non rocky spot.Note from transcriber: I know this spot well for this is the very spot my friend Mr. Bill Rogers shot a massive 8 point buck about 10 years ago. He has left this world a better place and is surly missed.I laid my tent rain fly and ground cover out to dry while I relaxed. Redup, Ann and smoke arrived 45 min after me and started to dry out their stuff.   I went to setup my tent but found out my Nemo tent was missing a crucial piece. The grommet hook that the pole went in was just gone. I slit a hole in the ribbon that was still there in order to kind of put the pole into and tied the stake to the ribbon. The Nemo is a great tent but this one is for 2 persons and was great for when I had my dog. But now it had an extra one pound of weight that I do not need to carry. My dad was on the hunt for a lighter tent and got a Big Anges Seedhouse SL1 which should be coming in a few days. I cooked dinner while others arrived. Redup got a fire going and I wanted to stay and socialize but I was just to tired. I got in my tenet and journaled some as even more hikers arrived. Catlady arrived and brought out her ukelele she has a beautiful voice but she sang a really sad song. I wanted to go to sleep to her voice but the lyrics were so depressing. Everyone eventually quieted down and went to bed. I got up early cooked oatmeal and was out before anyone else got up.