Date: 2013-05-10
From: Marion

To: Stealth campsite 
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Day Sixty Three- Atkins to quarter point if the Appalachian TrailIt was overcast again this morning when I woke up. Things didn't look good and this was supposed to be the nicest day for the next five days. I wanted to hike today but I also knew it would be a pain to try to find someone willing to take Michaels car up to where we had dropped off Hobo the other day. I decided not to worry about it and enjoy my last day that Michael was here. We went to the advertised free breakfast and were extremely disappointed. On our way back to the room I bumped into Peanut and they needed a ride south so Michael drove them back to the Partnership Shelter and then we packed up our stuff and went out for lunch. Since it was now gorgeous out we headed over to Hungry Mother State Park and went for a walk along the lake. It was really nice and it's too bad that it has been so rainy because I think Michael would have really enjoyed hiking. On our way back we stopped at McDonalds for a chocolate milkshake one last time before I headed out to days of trail food. At the trailhead I double checked my pack and said goodbye again. The last time I said goodbye was at the parking lot of Springer Mountain. I remember being surprised at how excited and focused I was on the trail that it didn't even phase me that I was saying goodbye to everyone and anyone I knew and walking into the unknown. This time I was worried that it would be different. So many people have dropped off the trail after a visit home or a visit from friends/family and I really don't want to fall into that situation. Yes I definitely miss my family and friends but I know that this is only temporary and I will see them again. Fortunately I didn't try to bail or anything and it actually felt good to be back on the trail after so many days off. It was after 5pm when I started so I didn't expect to get many miles in. Other than the fact that within twenty minutes Melkie had gotten wet swimming in a stream and then rolled in a pile of cow patties it was a really enjoyable hike though pastures and the woods with an interesting climb over a fence. When I found Lady and Aquaman setting up camp at what I think us exactly the quarter point of this journey I decided to camp with them. On one hand I can't believe that we have come so far but on the other hand it worries me that a third of my time is up and with so many zero days I am only a quarter of the way. With that in mind, when Lady suggested getting up crazy early tomorrow and hiking in the dark I jumped at the opportunity. I'm not sure that night hiking is for me or even that Melkie will be okay with it but I did want to try it to see what it is like and it's the perfect way to get some extra miles in. The plan is to get up at 3:30am and hike ten miles and then stop and sleep for a few hours and then get up and hike another ten miles. By the end of the day we will have put in twenty miles but avoided the worst heat of the day. I hope it works!Confessions of a thruhiker:" I know a hiker who is a saint, she stitched up holes in another hikers only pair of extremely dirty underwear."Trouble"You must learn to be strong in the dark as well as in the day, else you will always be half brave." George MacDonald