Date: 2005-03-31
From: NOC

To: Brown Fork Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: moderate rain

Rain, Rain, Rain. Horray!! It feels so good to have rain. I love rain. Rain good, sun bad. I was glad to see and feel the rain today. After drying out like a raisen, it was nice to recieve a little moisture under the skin. I left the NOC pretty early this morning. I checked out right at 7:00 A.M. That is the earliest I have been able to check out of any town stop on the trail so far. Thank goodness for the key drop box. So about fifteen minutes later, I was on my way up the trail. This was starting out as a great day. I even enjoyed the 6 miles climb up to Sassafrass Gap Shelter. It was beautiful to hear and smell the calm forest of the early morn. As I almost reached the top of the mountain, I saw a beautiful water trickle from the rocks and I just could not pass up the opportunity to take a sip from natures water spigot. The water was great. Following that moment, I took pack and headed on up where I met up with Echo at the Shelter. It was quite the moment. As I walked into the shelter, I saw his gear just sitting there. I shouted out his name and I heard a voice from the privy. I look over to where the privy was and he said, "I wasn't expecting company." It so happens that he decided to leave the door to the privy wide open so it wouldnt be so dark inside. Well there he was taking care of business when I walk up. Echo, I am sorry for sharing this moment with the world, but it was so funny, I couldn't resist.After leaving Sassafrass Gap Shelter, I prepared myself for the gentle climb up to Cheoah Bald. When I peaked the top, the winds were blowing so hard it would push me of step. The rain was coming on me side ways and I really thought that my packa jacket was going to rip. I saw several streaks of lightning. At that moment, I knew it was time to get off this mountain. As soon as I lowered myself off the ridge, the storm let up. It felt good to be off the bald. After several hours of walking, I reached Stechoa Gap. I then made the climb out of it. About one quarter mile from the gap, I ran out of water. As soon as you run out of water, your mind runs into a panic. I began to pray for some water to show up somewhere on the trail. About a mile from that point, I met Grey Beard. I asked him if he had any water and he gave me the last of his. This really meant a lot to me. I was so thankful. I still had a mile and a half to go so, I had to slow down as to not get too thirsty. As soon as I reached the shelter, I saw a lot of people hanging out inside. Gypsy Lulu was so kind enough to supply me with a liter of her water. In one huge chug, it was gone. Its amazing how much a persons body craves water when you dont have it. Gypsy and I got to talking about her giving me this water. We then thought of the idea of "Pay it forward." The idea comes from a movie about someone that does a good deed for you, you are to pay them back by doing a good to for someone else. Therefore a continuous cycle of good deeds are happening.The night was filled with conversation and warm thoughts. It is so good to be out here. I am really thankful for all the folks out here. I even met some new folks today. Of course Grey Beard being one of them, and Thatch. Thatch seems to be a really great guy. I look forward to hiking with these folks in the time to come. Life is Rockin' and the Boots are Kickin'!!