Date: 2009-11-08
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Miles today: 0.0

   This is one of my non ATC adventures. Well its sat morning up at 530 in the morning had a good breakfest loaded up the jeep.Kissed the wife goodby.And headed towards Zillenski. Its about 10 am 55 out little cloudy.The trip started out great till I went into Columbus. I dont think nobody stays home in Columbus even the old people. And it doesnt help being a Saturday.Finelly left Columbus and I could relax my grip on the stearing wheel and that knot in back of my neck went away.The rest of the trip went uneventful.Till heading up the hill in Zillenski at the top hill to my surprise the parking lot was full on both sides. Reminded me being at the Eagles on Sat night. So much for salitude. Found one of two parking spots left.Started to unload seen two packers coming in from the trail asked them how the trail was they said it was great but they had a late start and had to do a night hike and they lost the trail.In the fall its not hard to do get lost with so many leaves on the ground the trail vanishes in a split second.You have to rely on your blazers.Had ayoung couple come up and they were interested in my pack told them it was a german pack.Itold them it was alittle heaver then I wanted but it felt good on me on short trips. They were first timers wished them luck took there pictures. Finished putting my shoes pack ahd headed out.Started out about 130 it was 68 out and sunny.Its just a small walk down the road over a bridge turn left you go right into some pines you can smell the pine as you leave the road.About a mile in I ran into sone squrell hunters talked for a while said the never even seen a squrell.About another half mile I ran into five people each had a dog. Said hi and goodby.One of them was the size of a small horse.From there on for about half mile I kept my eyes on the ground.No excitment to the first campsite. It was about 2:15in the afernoon rather early. Decited to head to the next site didnt even stop for water. There were only a couple of tents there.The rest of the trip was rather quiet.These are what I cal my quiet time. If you have never been in the woods in quite time you are missing a great time All you have to do is think and think I do.We all think diffrent but it is always the same goals family God and all the good times and some rough times.Enough of that. Heading up the last hill as I crested the hill it looked like little Chacago.Tents all over the place.Right there I knew my favorate spot is gone. I found a rather flat spot about a 12 by 12 and on the other side it was about a 30 foot slope oh well I dont sleep walk.Set up camp made early supper it gets dark about 530. Had beef strog. w/noodles.As my noodles were soaking a couple of guys came up and we talked for a while about everything said good buy.Just then some other guy came and we talked asked me to come ouer to his fire tonight.I told him I would think about.By then my noodles were well done.After supper two ladies showed up and we talked.They were rather nice and invited me to there camp fire I couldnt say no.So later that knight went over. Later I found out they were a backpacking club very close knit family.I should say a great groop of friends.There must have been at least 8 or 10 people around the fire.To my surprise they had piles of fire wood. You always use only the wood that is on the ground you never cut trees down. And when your near a camp site wood is hard to find unless you go a great distance down hill.Anyway we all talked abuot everything silly things and serious things equipment,chalanges and accomplishments. I call this guy the leader of the pack to my surprise he had done the ATC not only once bur several times. Made my jaw drop with envy.Back in 2004 I attempted a through hike and ended getting off in the Smokies.It was a wake up call for me. Section hike was more of a reality for me.Any way there were some beginners men and women ,young and old which I toped the list.And made more enjoyable.We talked also about some department stores and how to correctley get them on line.And how some of the girls especially the one I call smiley she likes beer in the can especially with lime. That is all Im saying about that. Oh yes they even made popcorn. Anyway time went so quick it was midnight that would be 9 oclock backpackers time a quote taken from the leader of the pack. This trip was more then I expected quiet time and great company. Headed for bed in the dark. As I was sliding into my bed a green grassopper landed on my leg I quickley grabed my camera and snaped the shutter and went blind for about 5 minutes had the camera flash facing me. So I went to bed blind and the grassopper went on its way.Had a great night sleep till about 3 am heard some cayotes sounded like love calls they sounded desperate.Next morning had coffee and a apple headed out about 9. Saying goodbuy to club one last picture and down the hill I go.The only thing I ran into was cobwebs I was breaking the trail.The rest of th trail was uneventful About 11:30 hit the white blaze decided ti have lunch and figure out my next move.When there I spot the leader of the pack and I knew his gang was near by. They said hi and headed for the trailhead. I finished my spam and crackers. And I also headed for the trailhead. They must have used the road tey were all gone when I arrived. I had to redeem my self and stayed on the trail. Last couple of times I used the road myself.Packed up and headed for my next adventure.                                                    redhank    PS       I am planing a trip on the ATC around the first of April starting Newfound Gap thats right on top of the Smokies. Plan on doing 300 or end of April which ever comes first.e-mail address (jruno1@aol.com)Im 70 years old out of Bellevue Ohio.Don't let my age fool you.