Date: 2006-02-28
From: Elk River

To: Bob & Pat Peoples (Kincora Hostel)
Miles today: 18.0

Kincora Hostel Sunny, 50-60F I slept so good - not because I was counting sheep but because I was counting cows with backpacks on as they were passing through my tent! This was a great morning not too cold and no dew. The tent was quickly packed (after shaking the last few cows out) and without stepping in anything "undesireable"! I finished packing up. If it wasn't because I had 18 miles to hike today I would have stopped and gotten me a bath in one of the bountyful swimming holes along the trail. However, the hot shower at Kincora had a strong draw on me. I knew there were 12 miles to the next shelter but due to a little disagreement between the number of roads on the map and the number of roads thatt I actually crossed I weren't exactly sure where I was. I reached the top of a steep hill and decided it was time for a short break. Took off the pack and laid down in the middle of the trail with my feet propped up on a log and just baked and dried in the sun. It felt so good as just two days earlier it had been down to -5F. I reached the shelter an hour earlier than estimated - i was ecstatic as my knees were a little sore. There were only six miles now between me and a hot shower. Hot, tired, and sweaty I came around a little bend in the trail and there in front of me was a stream and across the stream was a bridge and across the bridge there was written in big letters "No Diving Off The Bridge" - The bridge was 1 foot above the ground and the stream was only 10" wide!!! I had to just stop and laugh what great humor After passing a meadow and a little duck pond I came to the road where Kincora Hostel was located. With sore knees and legs and a foot that said "I am gonna give you some blisters if you do not stop soon" I reached the much desired goal of the day - Kincora Hostel. Bob Peoples came out and showed me around and got a fire started to heat up the hostel. Then it was Christmas time once again as Bob brought me the mail drop from Morgan/Bateman, a letter, and a small package. I was so excited about the mail drop with all the good food: potato soup, summer sausage, licorice, macaroni, and cookies. It is difficult to describe just how excited the discovery of something unexpected in a mail drop can make me; plain old "excited and thrilled" just doesn't seem to be enough. Thank you for the great food drop - and tell Sam to work hard Now it was mystery time - who could the letter and small package be from? Nashville, yeah sure, I know a lot of people from there. I opened the letter and it was from Mrs Van Sherrod from my church: Second Pres. in Nashville. Thanks for the letter, it was good to hear everything is well at the church and a belated Happy Birthday The small package was more difficult, Lexington, KY - who did I know from there?, return address did not look familiar. Upon opening I found some specialty chocolate (blue Monday) made in KY, and a letter. It was from john and his daughter, Shizuka, both hikers and trailjournals.com readers. Thank you so much it is really good candy - I had to taste one while I read your letter - the other three are in my food bag ready for the trail. I hope I answered most of the questions you asked in the letter I sent.