Date: 2003-05-16
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Thunder Ridge Overlook
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: light rain

Yesterday, 2 day hikers (section hikers) stopped by the shelter enroute to their car. They had trail maps, but not the AT data book, so they weren¢t exactly sure how far they had to go. We told them what they needed to know, and then started talking about thruhiking. Next thing we knew, they were telling us to look out for a little trail magic along the trail today (near where their car was). They said that they had jobs and would buy us what we wanted¢¦ So orange soda & beer was the request for the day. We started hiking, knowing we only had to hike to the Thunder Ridge overlook and meet our ride to trail days (we hoped), so we took our time moving up the trail. We strolled up over a few mountains, enjoyed some sun & fog, and when we got to the spot the trail magic was supposed to be at, there was nothing. OK, we don¢t mind, they were probably tired or running late, so we thanked them for the thought (in our heads), and hiked on. We crossed Apple Orchard Mountain, by an old RADAR installation, and walked thru a great meadow. We had beautiful sun above us, it was a wonderful day, but all around & below us was thick fog. We watched the fog roll up the mountain & go over the top, as we sat and took a snack break, and a few pictures. On the way down the mountain we went through the Guillotine, one of 3 places on the trail where we go under rocks (Fat Man Squeeze Mahoosic notch were the other 2). This rock formation was a narrow passage, with a big rock lodged over our heads like a blade. We took pics here, crossed the BRP, headed into the woods and saw a bag hanging on a trail sign. Hmmm, a good sign, it said WENCH on the bag! Well, here it was, a six of bud & s2 orange sodas. So we took a soda and opened 2 Buds as we hiked up the trail. Thanks guys!!! What a sight we must have been, hiking into the next shelter at about 10:30 drinking cans of Budweiser (not my first choice of beers¢¦ or even my last¢¦ but it was tasty that morning for breakfast). We sat at the shelter, finished our beers, had lunch (with orange soda), and continued on our way. We saw 3-4 people at the shelter, I forget who they were¢¦ We arrived at the Thunder Ridge overlook early, we took in the view, relaxed for a while, aired out our wet clothes & journalled and waited for our ride. Jan got her ride from here on Thursday, and will be back here on Monday, so we should be back in front of her again. Fly and Smoothie aren¢t going to Trail Days and they are about 1 day ahead of us. Maybe we will see them up around Harpers Ferry when they take time off the trail. In the mean time, Wench & I are STILL sitting around waiting for our ride (we are journaling, sitting around, throwing rocks at trees & garbage cans (for hours). Note: Wench is a better shot than I am, even though she throws like a girl (HARD!). The top of Apple Orchard Mountain was Sunny & warm, here at the overlook it is now overcast, with occasional sun, & looks like it will rain soon. I hope Amy gets here quick, our gear just dried out, I don¢t want to get it wet again. I¢m dreaming about McDonalds, my food bag is totally empty!!! If our ride doesn¢t show, I have to hitch out for food, or hike a long day without any to get to the grocery in Glasgow (I¢d be very hungry by then). Our ride arrived, apologetic for being late (she had left a message on my cell, so I knew she was coming. Well, once I remembered to check messages..). Amy got in the back of the car and fell asleep, as I drove us all to Damascus in the rain (with Wench Navigating). Hmmm it seems she navigated us to a McDonalds first, where I had a double Quarter Pounder with cheese & Huge fries¢¦. Man was I hungry!. Grease running down my face.. I was in heaven! W got to Damascus at about 8PM, just enough time to stop down town & say hi to people while it was still light out. We walked around town & down to the Vendor booths, saw POG, Not to Worry, Jan, Chase, Mrs Gorp, Detour, Gary, Footslogger, Team Outwa, Swallow tail, Glide, Sea Shell (we saw lots more Saturday in the daylight). Next we drove to the hiker campsite (an old superfund site) and saw more people, but not many I recognized, it was to dark. Wench camped at the campground by the Women hikers group & I went back to the 81 interchange to get a room. I stopped at Holiday Inn Express, but they were full, then I checked the other hotels & found that they were full too. It turned out there was a big college graduation nearby on Saturday & all the hotels were full. I said the hell with it & crashed in Amy¢s room at midnight. We had all had a long, exhausting day. More to come tomorrow at the hiker parade (we¢ll fly Ted¢s flag).Highlight of the day ¢ 170 mile drive to Damascus (NOT!). Double Quarter pounder with cheese (YES!). The people (lots of hikers).Meeting Lief & Zipdrive from trailournals (Cool!! ).