Date: 2017-05-15
From: Green Corner Rd.

To: Max Patch Bald
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was one of those days that everyone pictures when thinking about an AT hike.  We hiked through sun-dappled woods, surrounded by fresh spring greenery, at a pleasant temperature with an occasional breeze.  In other words, a walk in the woods.Our planned distance was short (12.8 miles)and was relatively easy.  We started with a 5-mile climb to reach Snowbird Mountain, which is described as a grassy bald.  (A bald is a mountain top with no trees.).  As we approached on the trail skirting the mountain we saw a white structure that looked like a spaceship landing capsule.  When we reached the side trail we learned that this building was an FAA tower.  It was very strange looking up close, resembling nothing so much as a space ship landed to take earthlings away.  Bob, Lizzie, Terri, and I were there at the same time and walked up the trail to get a closer look.  A young man who looked vaguely familiar joined us for snacks.  I asked him his name; it was Mellow.  He asked mine.  When I said Sturdy Peasant he said, "I remember you.  You fell over on top of me the other day."  I hadn't recognized him with his hat on, and he hadn't recognized me with my hat off.  The woods today were beautiful in every way.  Mountain  laurel was coming into bloom.  The rhododendrons and the pines gave the place a moist piny smell.  We saw lots more wildflowers -- some covering hillsides like we had seen in Georgia.  We saw large masses of trilliums and mayapples.  Also, some purple wild columbine, golden ragwort, various types of violets, and a few late pink lady slippers.  (Later we learned that Bill and Arlene had seen yellow lady slippers and a very large rattlesnake today.)Since today was short we tried to use it as a rest day in preparation for our 20.6 mile day tomorrow.  I set the pace at a slow and steady rhythm.  Terri wanted to go slow to give her twisted knee time to heal.  I wanted to go slow to help my twisted right ankle recover, and Lizzie wanted to go slow to baby her knees.  I spent most of the day hiking with Terri.We arrived at our planned stopping place, Max Patch Road around 4, and the van was not due to arrive until 5.  We decided to try to clean up in a nearby stream just a few hundred feet up the trail.  Just then the van arrived, so we were able to have our soap and towels.  Warren suggested that it might be nice to camp on top of Max Patch Bald tonight.  There are spectacular 360-degree views; the temperature was predicted to be reasonably warm; and no high winds were expected.  This is .8 mile ahead on the trail and would decrease the length of our hike tomorrow. There is a parking lot where the van could park .3 from the top.  Warren told us to go to the top first on the AT, then come down a side trail to pick up our gear from the parking lot.  We didn't do that, which totally aggravated him.  Instead, everyone except Lizzie camped near the parking lot so that we can get an early start on our long day tomorrow.  After we got our tents set up we returned to the Appalachian Trail to cover the section we'd missed and went to the top of the bald to watch the sunset.  The view from the bald was astoundingly beautiful -- rank upon rank of mountains in all directions.  I ran into Mellow and Mr. White, two nice young men who appear to be covering about the same mileage as our group, and Terri took my picture with them.  After a time Warren came up and pointed out the mountains by name, showing us where we'll be hiking for the next three days.  Everyone except Rennie stayed to watch the sunset.  It was a very pleasant day.  Tomorrow we're hiking 19.8 miles to Hot Springs, NC.  We hope to arrive in time to bathe in the hot springs and get some calorific treats such as hamburgers and milkshakes.  We're staying at a campground that has showers --what a treat!