Date: 2015-04-15
From: Spence Field Shelter 

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: light rain

Two weeks on the trail already! It is kind of hard to believe. Time is flying by. So are a lot of the miles (except the uphill ones and generally any hiked after 2 p.m., when I start getting tired.The trail this morning alternated between puddle, river, and mud pit. The Toe-Pinchers are now basically mud bricks. Despite this, and more rain, with my pack lighter and my tummy no longer bloated, even the first uphill of the day seemed fantastically manageable. The area I stayed in last night was very grassy and pretty, with lots of trees reminiscent of an orchard. One of the other hikers said it used to be a homestead. It was weird and seemed so out of place after walking through miles of forest. I love how the landscape changes so much.I only made it a mile before I came across a section hiker stopped in the middle of the trail amd beating her stick on the ground like a crazy person. I inquired about her reasoning. She had seen two cubs and heard their mother bear and was waiting for them to clear out before moving on. I still have yet to see a bear, but saw plenty of huge long earthworms today, a deer yesterday, and lots of birds, squirrels, and creepy crawlies every day.I wanted to push on past this shelter today, but the next shelter is nearly 7 miles away, and I wanted to have some time to look around at Clingman's Dome, and possibly try for the Visitor's Center on the way. This would mean I wouldn't stop hiking until at least 5:00, and probably later since the mud and rain were slowing me down so much. So here I am.The going in the rain was really slow, which was probably a good thing for my feet. I have been trying to be more aware of my feet, planning where I take my steps, landing on my heel and using the outsides of my feet more. Luckily the trail was nice and squishy today with all the mud. Also, I only fell once! And managed to throw myself to the side of the trail, avoiding the mud. Dad's trekking poles were extra helpful in keeping myself upright.Once I stopped hiking, I collected and SteriPenned some water (one of my least favorite chores), and attempted to towel the mud off my legs and rinse out my socks in the FREEZING stream. My feet are still cold. Jason is trying to build a fire in the shelter fireplace and the rain is absolutely pouring down now. It is still so early but the weather is so terrrible that I am looking forward to making dinner and just huddling up in my sleeping bag.I am considering using my pizza money from Dan for a stay at Standing Bear Hostel in a couple of days. I think that at that point, if the rain still hasn't stopped, a hot shower might actually be better than pizza. Now I really wish I had a pizza. I have rationed my food for the next five days that I expect it will take me to get to Hot Springs and I am really wishing I hadn't given away as many of my chocolate eggs last night. I don't know why I thought it would take me less time to get to Hot Springs. A guy walked into the shelter as I was sorting my rations, looked at my stash, and said, "Got enough food?!"I wanted to smack him and yell, "NOT ENOUGH FOR FIVE DAYS, JERKWAD." I resisted this temptation.I just don't want to have to go into Gatlinburg to resupply. I have not heard anything good about Gatlinburg.Hands caught up with me last night, but I don't know if he will make it this far in the rain today. He is a nice guy and I enjoy his company a lot. I am a lot faster than he is, though, and I am pretty sure he has been pushing it to keep up with me. The rain won't slow me down much longer. I hope it freaking stops soon. It actually isn't that bad... I have not been victim to any horrible downpours. Sometimes walking through the clouds and mist is wonderful. It can be so pretty! BUT THAT MUD.I dream of dry shoes and warm feet and am grateful for trekking poles, a WARM sleeping bag, and the slight possibility of a fire.