Date: 2004-06-01
From: James River Foot Bridge

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Day #79 - never existedNote from Trail Widow: Apparently the Kritter overlooked June 1st, and its still a mystery. Hopefully he'll be able to think back that far and reconstruct an entertaining story for us ... Meanwhile, this page will just be called - A Day Out of Time .... KrispyKritter just filled in our blanks ... and here it is: "There is no royal road to anything. One thing at a time, and all things in succession. That which grows slowly endures." ~ J.C. Holland Two items to note that I failed to mention in the last journal:First, while walking along Matt¢s Creek, the trail pebbles appeared to explode like popcorn poppin'. What I saw as ¢pebbles¢ were actually thousands upon thousands of baby frogs hopping in random directions as you walked the trail. I've never seen so many frogs in one place. It looked like the trail in front of you would suddenly come alive with the vibration of your footsteps. They would jump out of your way and others, no matter what you tried to do, would get in your way. I could only try and picture myself walking on a cushion of air in hopes in I would not hurt any of the little kritters. Second, hats off to the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club for their maintenance of the trail. The AT was groomed and well marked. Their work was greatly appreciated. What a day! I was up at 6:00 so I could be ready and on time for the shuttle ride from Ken Wallace to the post office in Montebello. Several boxes were waiting for me at the P.O. - my jump box, Lady Kritter's mail drop, and a birthday card from my mom and dad. I had enough time to organize the boxes and send the jump box up the trail before Ken returned. Sitting on the curb waiting for Ken, the postmistress by the name of Dixie came out and said another box just came in for you. It was a birthday mail drop from the Goddesses of Deland with a lot of sweets. Thanks to all for the emails, cards and mail drops everyone sent. It really did make my birthday on the trail a special one. Back at the campground with all my goodies and food I started getting my pack together. By the time I was ready, the shuttle was available to take us, (K-less, Arms, Rooster and me) to the trailhead. My trek northward started at 3:00.The trail began following a beautiful creek named John¢s Creek. The climb was steady until Punchbowl Mountain. Climbing Bluff Mountain I observed a deer munching on grass. I was down wind so I could approach it very close. At last I was detected. She looked up at me and I said, in a low voice, "I'm not a hunter, go in peace." As if she understood the deer let me pass as she continued to eat the grass. At 8:00PM as I was approaching Punchbowl Shelter I observed another deer, this time flying like the wind across the trail, disappearing into twilight of the woods. To my surprise, Cuppa Joe was at the shelter and we caught up with trail news and gossip. Cuppa Joe¢s leg is doing great and he is doing 15 mile days. Cuppa Joe said that the latest trail rumors involve a lot of hikers leaving the trail. Some of the names I knew and hope the rumors are not true. It seems as though all it took was one person to decide they were leaving and, like dominos, hikers are falling. Thanks to AWOL and Brian at Travel Country for the following advice. To help you focus on why you are hiking the AT, always remember the reasons why (when you were still home) you wanted to hike the trail. I know my reasons, and that's why I continue.As darkness fell over the shelter, the bull frogs and crickets in a small pond just beyond the shelter serenaded me to sleep - another day ending for me on the AT.