Date: 2016-04-24
From: Muscrat Creek Shelter

To: Long Branch Shelter
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: clear sky

So Day 8. Muscrat Creek to Long Branch Shelter. A big day of hiking! I did not sleep well last night. I tossed and turned a lot. As usual, I was in my deepest sleep when the alarm went off at 6:01. I noticed right off, it was the coldest night I had spent outside temperature wise. I was pretty much ready to go by 0730, but Matt Damon was not to be roused and Mike was not ready. I waited for Mike for a while, but finally told him I was taking off at 0755 as I was freezing!! The trail was super nice. Gentle ups and downs. I caught up with Not Yet. He is from St Augustine and wants to be a nurse. I walked with a big guy whose trail name is Teddy. He is a bit older and had hiked almost all of the trail previously, but had to drop out due to injury. I passed Lucky No. 7. The seventh child in his family. Eventually, I caught up to Kelsey, who I thought was miles behind! Turns out she was a trombone performance major when she was in college. We talked music to the top of Standing Indian Mt. Mike caught us as we were grabbing a bite. Mike and I walked for a few miles and then soaked our feet in a stream. It felt nice.Mike's feet were really hurting him. He said to press on and I did. I cruised to Carter Gap Shelter, had a quick bite, and met Notebook, who also was suffering from a foot malady. She thought she might end up at Betty's Creek as well and I told her about my friends who would show up shortly.   After a few minutes, I met Montechristo. He is from Mexico and friends with Notebook. An older couple I met going Southbound encouraged me to continue over Albert Mountain to the Long Branch shelter. It was an extra 5 Miles, but they were convincing. The last bit up Albert mountain is straight up. At the top is a fire watch tower with spectacular views. I climbed up the tower as far as possible and took in the views. There I met Hikemoore, Honeybadger, Bear Burrito, and Grasshopper. Honeybadger is a way cool guy. I liked him right off. At the tower, we went over MM 100 of the AT! 21 more 100's to go.....After the short two mile walk to the shelter, I met a bunch of other folks. Tumbleweed and her brother Brian, Florida Keys and Hawaii, two older adventurous sisters, Don Juan, Cody and Derrick, who both just got out of the Navy, Giggles from England. These are all folks who had started earlier than I had and as such, I knew none of them. I was pretty used to running with my group and usually knew at least someone at a shelter. With the bigger day, this was not the case. It took a few minutes to break into the group. They all seem to be nice and I am glad I got to know them!My ankle hurt a little at the start, but after plenty of stretching and miles, it got better as the day went on. Soaking it in the middle and at the end of the day helped as well. I also worked on my walking mechanics a little. This also helped. So, I feel pretty good. Tired, but glad I only have to walk 7 miles to get to the road to town. I am going to get a room, resupply, eat a big meal and get some rest! The weather was ideal! The trail was pretty soft. As nice as any trail you could find in many places. That's it for now.