Date: 2023-07-22
From: US Rt. 201 Sterling Inn

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean To
Miles today: 14.7

The Day started well for me.  Coffee, followed by Toast, Cereal, Banana and washed down with Apple Juice.  Recon didn't slept all that well and then had Brace problems.  But we got off ok on a shuttle back to the Trailhead with three NoBo's that we will never see again. Sterling Inn was a great Nero, timed out just right. Love when time just flows and the trail (God) provides. We started off great, knocking of miles.  Then we hit a mile and a half straight climb!  Recon was gone, except one spot where the trail cut back to the left. He shouted from above to make sure I didn't miss it. Bless him!  At the top, I joked that the tortoise was faster than me, but I did beat the hare because I didn't stop!  Getting a little stronger, or maybe just the Nero helped a great deal.  Recon was picking Blueberries at the top, so I joined him.  Some are getting good.  Then the views were excellent, as we peaked over the top of the rock summit.  Decided to eat lunch and Recon said, "Bet Mountain Goat (Columbus, and UD) well come bounding along any moment".  Darned if not more than two minutes there he was, asking if he could lunch with us.  Cool time but when we finished and put the packs on, he was gone forever.  The afternoon took forever.  Portions of the trail were good, followed by muck, mud, rocks, roots and water. Just hard to get any type of tempo going. Plus, water that was so plentiful on the other side of the mountain in the morning, was now non existent. Recon finally cupped some flowing trail water while I watched. Then I thought better and said I should have gotten some instead of standing around.  He said, "Stuff is still out if you need it".  So patient, and the 1/4 bottle did save me.  Plus the Tannins give me my daily minerals. A little later, Recon prophesied the rain and said we should put on pack covers to drive it away.  Sure enough it started before we got them put on.  I Told him he is more correct than the TV weather man.  The rain would continue on and off until we hit the shelter with intermittent bouts of Sunshine. Just the good Lord playing hide and seek with the Sun behind clouds. We hit a road at a huge pond and turned right.  The pond was being feed by a river up above.  Two ladies, waiting on a friend that was completing a twenty mile SoBo, gave us the low down on other hikers and Boy Scouts that had crossed the river previously. I just followed Recons lead and enjoyed the water rushing at knee level. That got the adrenaline going but again short lived. Finally we heard the scouts and trekked up to the Shelter to get out of our wet cloths.  Would have maybe Camped out but the sites are so limited. A group of NoBo Thru's showed up so we are sharing the shelter now. One girl, Bambi is from Belgium and the one guy is from Sunbury Ohio!  Small world.  There conversation. goes and goes, while Recon and I are ready for bed.  We well rise early before them if we continue the rule of age.  Hoping the mosquitoes go to sleep and the mice stay away from things. We need a good nights sleep for a couple of more deep River Crossings Tomorrow.