Date: 2005-03-30
From: Tent, Beech Gap

To: Tent, between Glassmine Gap & Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: clear sky

Wow! What a great day to be on the AT! So many wonderful things happened it will be hard to get them all into one journal entry. Barry and Terry are Angels!!! There should be monks and cherubs singing that out loudly. There should be flourishes and trumpets playing. We walked down the trail and saw a sign that said trail magic. I turned in the direction of the bluegrass music and there was magic. Just pure magic. Barry and Terry had an amazing setup. There was a lumberjack saw blade with simmering pots suspended over a fire. "Grab yourself a cold soda and I'll set you up with the first burrito¢ The tortilla was heated on that suspended saw blade and then topped with warm black beans and corn and yellow rice from the simmering pots. On the table there were magical fixing - homemade salsa, cheese, onions, and jalapenos. And there were chairs, lots of chairs to sit in, like a real person. It was magic, pure trail magic. Oblivious had 2 before I even got to the magical spot and said he was full. Troll had a total of 4 burritos. I had 2 and was going for my 3rd when Oblivious asked if he could have another. The answer was, "of course". So Oblivious had a 3rd burrito and then a little lay in a hammock. I had a 3rd burrito and just basked in all the magic. I came there feeling nauseous hungry and left there full and happy. It was pretty excellent hiking today. We got an early start thanks to that little female cardinal from last night. She started singing at first light. Apparently female cardinals try to attract males with their song or try to establish their territory. Regardless of reason, she was doing an excellent job of singing her little heart out. So we got an earlier than normal start of 0815. Most mornings we are on the trail by 0830 - 0930. We went the 3.2 miles to Carter Gap shelter by 1015. Obviously the trail was pretty easy. Stopped in there and signed the shelters register. Troll and Oblivious saw a squirrel when they got to the shelter before me. The next 5.9 miles just seemed to melt away. Before I knew it, we had stopped for water, hike some more and met the amazing trail angels Terry and Barry. Heck, even after all that amazing food it was only 1430. So we went on to the fearful Albert Mountain. We went from 4,300 feet in elevation to 5,250 in 1/3 of a mile. It was a little steep. Ok maybe a lot steep. There were more log and rock steps than I could ever imagine climbing with a pack and a bellyful of burritos. The steps were varied with expanses of stone that had to be traversed. Oblivious was like a little mountain goat and choose the steepest path. I learned to trust in the tread of my shoes, the points on my poles and used the occasional tree to assist in pulling myself up. At the top, the views seemed endless. I couldn't make myself go up the fire tower but Troll and Oblivious did. It was marvelous and early. We cruised into Big Spring Shelter and signed the register. Arriving at that shelter put us into our 1st double-digit day and it was only 1530. What to do? Go on! We wound up somewhere between Glassmine Gap (where we passed the 100.3 mile mark) and rock gap shelter. We tented and had a campfire with Squeaker and Humble Thoug. It felt so great to have come this far. It was really nice hanging out around the campfire with trail friends. All in all a most excellent day. I do have one sad thing to report. Troll had to dig his 1st cathole today. Apparently, the man with the original Barbie bladder - I have stopped at almost every rest area in the United States - can hold his other business like a sloth. Sloths only come down from the trees every 10-14 days to do their business. Troll has been holding on to his business. He had only been doing his business at hotels or at privies. Privies are only at some shelters - they are not at every shelter. Oblivious and I can attest that a steady diet of granola like trail mix and oatmeal mixed with lots of walking equals a regular constitution. We have been digging catholes for weeks now. Now Troll has sadly joined our ranks. Take care and we will see you down the trail.