Date: 2011-04-21
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Erwin
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night, it really poured the rain. I felt sorry for those folks who decided to tent. They seemed to fair well but I know that they had to be a little damp. Since I slept in the shelter, I was dry and everything except the food related stuff hanging on the bear cable was dry. There was no pain in my knee this morning when I got up. I was really excited because yesterday's hike put a lot of stress on it and it handled it well. Given that, I decided to get to Erwin today. A friend committed to pick me up at 5 and take me to my house. Today's hike was mostly downhill which seems to put more stress on the knee. The grades are a little more gradual than what we've been seeing so that helped a little. Got going a little later than normal because of the great conversation with Scott and June and a couple who tented. Scott and June live near the trail up in Vermont/New Hampshire area. When I get up there, the plan is to email them and spend some time with them. I took off at 9 and started down the trail. As I approached the scenic overlook called High Rock, I caught up with 2 guys who were hiking at a leisurely pace. I said excuse me so that I could get around them. Well, the guy in the back had no idea that I was there. So he ended nearly jumping out of his skin. We all had a great laugh over that and I continued on. His trail name is now "Jumpstart". It was still foggy so I decided to save the overlook for another day. I can always come back later and hike up to the overlook from Spivey Gap when I get home. As I came down off of that hill, I was greeted by Morning Glory and his oldest son, Nolan. It was great seeing them. As we walked back down to Spivey Gap, I told him all that had been going on while Nolan was up ahead having fun. He gave me a couple small bags of cookies to enjoy. In fact, he had handed out lots of bags of cookies the previous day at Sams Gap. I continued with my hike after a brief chat. The plan is to have lunch with him while in town. Stopped at the last shelter before Erwin for a tasty Ramen noodles lunch before continuing to Erwin. Once in Erwin, I found out that I missed seeing "Thimble" by just 30 minutes at the Bald Mountain shelter (I assume). It would have been great to see her again. Hoping to see her after I start back on Monday. Coming home just felt weird. I've been away for a month, in the wilderness and now I'm back in familiar surroundings. Yet, it seemed surreal. Coupled with the deep thoughts I've had about the grieving process, I really felt out of place. These past couple of days, hiking alone, I honestly have to say that I am no longer overwhelmed by sadness when I think of those sweet memories of Dawn. There's this sense of joy and thankfulness that come with those memories. I don't want anything to taint those memories nor do I want to those memories to be depreciated by trying to relive them in the future. The time I had with Dawn was wonderful experience that can never be duplicated in the future. The future is going to be a new experience without being over shadowed by the past. Certainly, the lessons learned will be applied so that past mistakes can be avoided. That is part of the growth process. Trying to relive the past simply robs us of the joys that come from the new experience. The previous experience is a completed painting that is to be cherished forever. The new is a canvas waiting to be painted. I am thankful of the previous experience and hopeful for the new.