Date: 2008-04-16
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: clear sky

At 6:35a, I looked and saw Toddy Bear and Yeti sitting up in their sleeping bags. I knew that this meant one thing--it's time to get ready, but quietly because we don't want to wake the other boys up. We were pretty quiet, but we somehow woke Brandon up...sorry! When he realized what time it was, he looked at Roundhorse and said, "Richard, Richard, Time to wake up Richard!" After Roundhorse woke up, I looked at Brandon and told him how romantic that little scene was. Once they were up, Team Deutschmark began frantically packing up. The weather did drop below freezing last night, but thanks to a trick Yeti taught me, my water did not freeze: The secret is to place your water bottle in your boots, which provides an extra layer of insulation. Right before we left, I decided to christen the privy. Well, this privy was special because it had a wooden seat and it was VERY cold. By 7:25a, we hit the trail and began our STEEP climb up to the Dragon's Tooth. By 9a, we reached the blue blazed sidetrail and happily walked to it. Looking at this place made me realize that we should have pushed on the extra 4 miles last night because it is beautiful. We dropped our packs, and then began the climb up to this rocky structure. Due to its majesty, I had to get over my fear of heights and follow Toddy Bear and Yeti. While sitting there, we decided to enjoy the view of McAfee's Knob and the Tinker Cliffs in true Team Deutschmarkian style...we took our shirts off and enjoyed! Then, we saw Roundhorse passing the blue blazed trail and we called out to him. So, he backtracked and joined us atop the rocks. As we were descending, we saw Brandon coming down the blue blazed trail. We told him that Roundhorse was still up there and that we would see him tonight. Well, we crossed the second road before VA 311, and then began a steep climb up a ridgeline. We walked this ridge for some time and then came out into this big parking lot, which was full of cars...today is the one year anniversary of the VT shooting and a lot of the students were on an outing. We walked the 1 mile to the John Springs Shelter and began to eat lunch at 1:20p. I ate my 4-tier Peanut Butter and Honey on Cinnamon Raisin bread sandwich and 2 packs of crackers...man did that taste good! As we were getting ready to leave, we met two flip-floppers named Lucky and Tim. We chatted for a bit and then pushed on to McAfee's Knob. Oh! I think this is a funny story: When we got to the Parking lot near McAfee's knob, 2 guys asked us for directions to get there. We pointed north, ate our lunch and then passed them before reaching the summit...man are we quick! When we got to the knob, we saw scores of VT students enjoying the clear and sunny view. We sat near the boys whom we had passed and I congratulated Toddy Bear and Yeti on completing their 7th Century! I then made some calls to Briana and Stovie and then sent some texts. We enjoyed the view for about 30 minutes and were gonna leave, but we wanted to take a picture with our legs dangling off the rocks. The only problem was that there was a young couple sitting there. So, I approached them and asked if they would mind if I sat there to take a pic. They offered to move, but I didn't want to make them move. Toddy Bear took mine and Yeti's photo. I was pretty scared, and my photo shows this, and I tried to convince the couple to let my hold on to them, but to no avail! After taking our pics, with our "friends" in it, we hiked down to the Campbell Shelter to use the privy. When we were reading the Appalachian Times, we noticed that Pachyderm had finished his section (GA-->McAfee's Knob) and left some *TRAIL MAGIC* for the hikers. After indulging in some of Pachyderm's treats, we pressed on to the Tinker Cliffs. We heard that these three places offered some of the best views in VA and we wanted to take advantage of this nice weather we had...that's why I call these places the "Triple Crown of VA." I'm amazed at our speed today because we had enough time enjoy all three of these wonderful places and still do big miles. Well, by 6:35p we rolled into the Lambert's Meadow Shelter. We gathered water and then began to cook. For some odd reason, I wasn't very hungry tonight...I think it was because I drank too much today because of the heat (because my iodine was expired and I was out of Aqua-Mira, all my water was untreated...risky, I know)!!! After we ate, we chatted and wondered if Roundhorse and Brandon would arrive tonight. We were all pretty skeptical as to whether or not they would come because it was getting late. At 9p, as we were preparing to sleep, we noticed Brandon rolling into camp. He quickly unpacked his "bed" and put his food on the table. We asked him whether or not he was gonna cook, but he told us that Roundhorse carries the stove and pot. While I was talking with him, a mouse runs out, stops on my journal, looks at me, and then ran away...I hate Mice!!! While waiting for Roundhorse, Brandon saw a coon lingering around the table and "eyeing" his food. So, he scared it off. On the coon's 4th visit, he jumps up, grabs my trekking poles, puts on his crocs and then begins to yell, " I'm gonna mess this Mutha F***er up." Then, he jumped on the table and began waving my trekking poles frantically. He then rested and was starting to settle down until the coon came back again. When it did, he grabbed my pole, raised it, and then said, "Are you challenging me? I'll F'you up coon!" This little scenario might sound dumb, but it was funny to see. Man, it's getting close to 10p and I'm getting tired. Roundhorse still isn't here, but night is!!!