Date: 2011-04-29
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: light rain

Mojo and Red Stripe rolled in after dark around 9.  Nice kids.  Spud and Snake Hips tented.  There was also a guy thru hiking with crutches due to an accident involving a horse and torn calf muscle.  His name: Carhill or Cargill?Had a hard time sleeping due to: 1. Left ambien, melatonin, ibuprofen and iPod at last hostel. 2. Tree next to the tent squeaked erratically in wind like an amplified zipper! Funny how some noises alarm while others soothe.  Best thing ever is rushing water noise.  I've even gotten used to and enjoyed trains going right by in Hot Springs.  Slept thru 5 trains even when they blew their horns,  according to EE.  EE is a light sleeper.  She didn't enjoy the trains.  Starting to get used to gusty wind noise.  Slept well in the big storm 2 nights ago.  Enjoyed sound of rain beating on the tent.  Went right back to sleep when thunder woke me.  But couldn't sleep after 4:30am when trucks started using "Jake" brakes. (air brakes)Cold morning upper 30s. Thankfully started with a moderate mile up hill to warm up. After 1 Hr stopped to stretch left Ankle and knee, still sore from falls, more noticeable after 18 mile day no ibuprofen.  Picked tender young dandelions on my hands and knees.  I've been eating them every day now.  And ramps when I see them.  Why eat plain instant mashed potatoes when free super foods are under foot?  Yesterday was lazy and picked big dandy leaves.  Almost choked to death trying to chew and swallow.  So today pack off down on hands and knees only picked sJmall tender leaves.  Also harvested flowers for first time. They turned out to be sweet and easy to chew easy to pick.  I got a bigger Rambo" knife w 3 1/2 inch blade for prepping fruit and veg.  Love my leatherman PS4 multiple tool, but dangerous slicing garlic and onion with a 1" blade that doesn't lock open.  I'll be ready for fresh tomatoes in summer.  6o degrees, beautiful weather, cool, sunny perfect for hiking. Then walked .3 off trail to Kincora Hostel.  Didn't want to stay or take time to go to town for food.  Running low so cleaned out hiker box.  Slim pickings, but ate a can of ham with crackers and coffee supplied by Chupa, who EE met at Hot Springs.  Tasted heavenly.  Saw two brilliant gold finches close up on fence.  Reminded me of Hooded Warbler I saw yesterday only 5 feet away -- even more brilliant!   Back on trail started right into Laurel Fork Gorge.  Another best place on the trail.  Remember positive superlative are NOT SINGULAR!  Rushing river teeming with trout.  Continuous rapids and falls.  Amazingly there is a special type of Laurel here already in full bloom.  Weeks or months ahead of normal bloom season. Speaking of flowers, the trail has been littered with fresh tulip poplar petals since the big storm.  In the forest the flowers on these huge trees grow so high you never see them.  Later I hit patches of a beautiful orange flowering bush I think another kind of Laurel.Hiked down steep irregular stone steps a couple hundred feet back to the river at main falls. Maybe 60 ft.  Local guy was scouting for canoeing in open boat.  It would be wild scary over the big complex falls.Trail continues right along rushing river for some time.  At one point trail seemed to dead end at alcove of cliffs right down to the river.  Watched large numbers of blue/black and yellow butterflies floating in the sunlight over the rushing bend.  Also saw cute red brown bats hunting bugs over water at 1pm, high noon.  Found the trail continued on 1st wide ledge between cliffs and water.  Very beautiful and dramatic.  Passed many prime camp spots begging me to stop a rest while contemplating the beauty.