Date: 2008-04-01
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

Woke up at 6a to the sound of Fester unzipping his sleeping bag to go to the bathroom...I didn't know it at the time, but this was the birth of "The Clitter Clamp." By 9:30a, however, we were all ready to hit the trail. Within 20 minutes, we had walked 1.2 miles to the Nick Grindstaff memorial. While we were taking some pics, Stovie placed two quarters on the monument to "pay the ferry man," and we began searching for the water source Lonewolf had told us about. not finding it, we continued a bit further down the trail and saw blue blazes leading to "liquid happiness." We continued our walk and decided to eat lunch at the TN-91 parking lot. Toddy Bear, Fester, and I sat atop the wooden fence and ate while Stovie sat on the grass and took care of his feet. After this nice break, we walked in some beautiful pastures for 0.5 miles...thanks for putting the trail here TEHCC!! When we reached the Double Spring Gap Shelter, I had to Cat hole it like it was nobody's business. I think the Aqua-Mira is messing with my bowel movements. It's causing me to go more frequently and making it yellow..! After gathering some water, we sat down and had a serious conversation about how we needed to increase our pace because we all made plans to be in Harper's Ferry/Pine Grove Furnace in another 1-1.5 months. We read the register, which we now call the "Appalachian Times" because it's the official "newspaper" of the AT, and saw an entry by Dr. Small Pot talking about how sad the inscription was at the Nick Grindstaff Monument. As we left, I took point and led the Team to Low Gap Road in one hour...that's 3.5 miles per hour! We took a break and then Fester and Stovie blazed up the mountain. I think Fester has his Maine legs on and gave them to Stovie!! When Toddy Bear and I arrived at the McQueen Mnt. Shelter, we saw Fester and Stovie doing some foot treatments...Fester's feet look rough, but that's a "gift" the AT gives to all who tread on it. Oh! Ricky, one of the boys from Auburn finally has a trail name: It's either Roundhorse or Rounhouse, it's hard to tell because Brandon didn't write it very clearly. Well, we made it to the Abingdon Gap Shelter by 4:50p. We said hello to Yeti and hung up some clothes to dry because it was 67*F and we were sweating up a storm. It feels good to finally be able to hike in shorts and a t-shirt, but when it gets hotter, I'm gonna be in trouble!!! We cooked dinner, I had a pack of Ramen noodles, a huge bowl of homemade Chaana Curry, 2 spoons of Peanut Butter, and piece of Carrot Bread. Toddy Bear and Fester built a fire and we all sat around and talked about stepping our pace up to at least 20 miles per day in VA to make it to our destinations on time. It sounds pretty intimidating, but I know I can do it as long as we don't piddle around too much. We spent around 2.5 hours today enjoying sights and taking breaks. So, I feel that the added 5 miles won't be too bad because we can hike fast when we need to! Contrary to yesterday, Yeti is more talkative tonight. Like us, he plans to enter Damascus tomorrow and take a zero, but he'll be spending his day at Dave's Place and we will be at The Place. Oh well, we'll be in his company for a couple more days..! Now everybody is asleep...I'm gonna go so that I don't wake them up!!!