Date: 2013-03-20
From: Mount Collins Shelter

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 14.9

BEST TRAIL DAY YET.Saying it was a great day does not mean it was an easy day. It wasn't. It might have been the first day of spring, but we woke to a very cold morning. Quite honestly, for the first couple of hours this morning, Hoosier and I were miserable as our cold fingers and toes ached. Although we tried to hike fast, we found it hard to warm up. Late in the morning we came to the only road crossing in the National Park. This is the road that tourists use as they drive up to Clingmans' Dome. At the spot where the trail crosses the road there was a scenic drive turn-out, parking area and bathrooms. Hoosier and I plunked our backpacks almost right in the middle of the sidewalk and sat on the concrete trying to warm up in the sun. We made oatmeal for a belated breakfast and heated water for coffee. The parking lot was not full but still quite a few visitors were passed by us. Almost all looked at us; some stared; a half a dozen or so stopped and asked a few questions and visited with us; but despite our best efforts to look hungry (not hard) NO ONE offered us any food. We had cell reception (which was rare in this section) so we lingered and talked to our wives.The ten miles that we did after our lengthy morning breakfast/lunch break were amazing. It was easily the best section of trail yet. The clear day afforded us awesome views as we hiked along narrow ridges with drop-offs on either side of the trail. The mountains on this side of Clingman's Dome are more rugged and spectacular then what we have hiked so far. This picture, taken at Charles Bunion, is just one example of the beauty we experienced. Hoosier and I repeatedly said, "Wow" as we would round a ridge and get yet another spectacular view. My predominant emotion is thankfulness.The trail above 6,000 feet had a lot of treacherous icy spots. Hoosier has fallen six times yesterday and today, but has only one sore buttock from it all. Several times he fell hard on his pack. I have had numerous close calls. Today we hiked almost 15 miles with many ascents and descents between mountains, ridges, and the gaps in between. That takes some effort. I share this simply to draw this lesson: The best things in life are worth working for. The things that really matter don't come easy. They require effort and some persistence on our part. Today it has been more than worth it.When hiking the A.T., you have to keep your eyes on the ground, paying attention to where you are going. The countless rocks and roots and the uneven terrain does not allow you to keep your head up while walking. That means, to take in the views, you have to stop and pause. You'll miss them if your focus is only on finishing miles. Today Hoosier and I paused a lot. We paused a lot to take in the scenery, but we also paused a lot to talk to people. Thus, although we started early this morning, we did not get to our shelter until dusk, which was fine with us.We are again with Z and Not-a-Bear tonight, and also met Uncle Bob here at the shelter. (Not-a-Bear earns his name by often getting to shelters at dusk or later and announcing as he approaches "Not-a-Bear".)Tonight as I write this it has begun to snow outside and we hear that a storm is predicted. We are not sure what we will find when we wake up, except that it will, for sure, be cold.