Date: 2018-05-18
From: U.S. Highway 19 E

To: FS 293
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: broken clouds

Today¢s start was strategically timed for Papa Big Swig to pick up Freight Train at my starting point. He was a Trail Angel today shuttling hikers from this area to Damascus for Trail Days. He had a second pick-up planned with two other hikers a little further up the road. According to Papa Big Swig everything worked out perfectly regarding his shuttle plans. He¢s been a great Trail Angel for lots of hikers this season.  My hike began in the rain about 9:15am. Seylor came with me, so I planned a short 10 mile day. With rain gear on and already damp boots, I started out sloshing UP.  The UP lasted about two miles. I passed one NOBO during that time but didn¢t chat as it was raining, and Seylor isn¢t always great with strangers. Just as I reached the summit the rain stopped. I took off my rain poncho right then and never had to put it back on.  Seylor and I hiked alone the next several miles. We came upon a cemetery beautifully tucked up in the mountains. I thought to myself ¢ what a peaceful place to be laid to rest¢.  About 5.5 miles in there was a blue blaze to Jones Falls. The sound of rushing water had been calling my name for the previous half mile at least , so of course I had to take the blaze.  It was a beautiful waterfall! Blue blazes are worth it!  Seylor drank up some of the water as it came rushing by. I got out my sit-upon and sat in the cool mist from the falls long enough to eat a packet of salmon. I was feeling newly energized as I packed up my things to get back on the trail. It was about that time when another hiker arrived. Seylor was not pleasant as usual with a first meeting. Thankfully he was understanding of her. She and I left, but before we even made it back to the trail he had already caught up to us. Tahoe Jimmy, Seylor and I hiked the next 6 miles together.  He¢s a 30 year old nomad of sorts based out of Lake Tahoe. However, he lives his life a bit on the wind. I enjoyed his stories of working for room and board at Standing Bear Hostel. I knew they were good people there, but Tahoe gave me further confirmation. We talked a lot about God and faith.  He¢s a man of strong faith. It seemed the miles just flew by as we talked. Soon we were about 8 miles in at the only shelter on today¢s hike. We arrived just as Lorax was leaving.  He hiked the same section on a flip flop today.  This worked best for The Mayor who is slack packing him.  It was a short 15 minutes break and we were back on the trail. I only had about 1.5 miles to go. Our philosophical discussions continued. At one point we were so in-depth with our conversation that Tahoe accidentally stepped right onto a black snake. It jumped up and I screamed! Seylor walked over the top of it too! The poor thing quickly took cover in between some rocks. I think our conversation lent itself to a good pace because I arrived at my 10 miles pick up location a whole hour early!  I had a message waiting for me there.  It was a Zero bar wrapper perfectly positioned on a tree. I¢m sure this was the handy work of Lorax. I hope the trail crosses our paths again before this adventure is over. Remember to look for Lorax 2018 right here on Trail Journals. He¢s a great writer.  Since I arrived early and the conversation was good. I texted Papa Big Swig to pick me up three more miles later. Tahoe stuck with me for 2 of them before taking a side trail to a hostel. Our conversation had to end. We did a quick fist bump goodbye and I hiked on the last mile with Seylor.  As usual my knight in shining armor was patiently waiting there for me. I¢m past the 400 mile marker now.  It was another great day on the A.T.!  Side note: my dads favorite candy bar was a Zero bar  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018).  Where¢s your faith?