Date: 2009-04-15
From: Deep Gap

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: overcast clouds

At 7:15 am, I got out of my hammock. Even though the rain had stopped during the evening, everything was still wet and cold. I broke down my shelter and cooked some oatmeal and a man going south passed by. He seemed very disappointed about me not having a trailname! I expected someone from the shelter to catch up to me before I left, but by 8:35, no one had come down the path. Because I was cold, I decided to get moving and wait for them later. Today was the day I had to decide whether or not I would go to the home of the couple offering the Belgian waffle/pork stew/dessert trail magic with the agendum of religious conversation afterwards. I had been worried about this choice for the past year! How uncomfortable was this going to be? Was the time spent worth it? Did I really need to eat that much food?! The sign appeared a couple of miles before I expected it. I looked behind me, but saw no one coming... It would be nice to all go together... but I was cold standing there, so I decided to wait for them inside! I went for it all by myself! The driveway was long and steep, and Heidi, the dog, would not stop barking. Finally, Hercules stepped outside. I had seen pictures of them, so I knew I was at the right place. After removing my shoes, I was invited inside where I could wash my hands, and then I was handed a laminated list of drinks I could choose from! Fal cooked me up a Belgian waffle and I kept looking out the window for hikers. None came... Immediately after I had finished my waffle, round sausage, and quiche biscuit, I was handed a bowl of pork stew! Oh my goodness! And then, I was offered my choice of 5 desserts! As Fal handed me my brownie sundae, Hercules began, "We have a dinner philosophical question..." Gulp. I thought they were going to ask their question after I had finished eating... (besides, it was only 11 am!). They wanted to know if I thought that what happens to us after we die is a matter of personal choice or "absolute truth" (with examples of ice cream preferences and gravity). Although I found their analogies to be simplistic and I knew that I didn't agree with their implied beliefs, I said it is not personal choice (omitting that what actually happens is an entirely different matter!). They said they agreed and seemed happy about my short answer. There was no more discussion after that! Hercules brought out a row of evangelical books that I could choose from and they left me alone after that! When Fal finally spotted a group of 4 hikers on their way, Hercules quickly scooped up the books and put them back for the next round... I was so stuffed that I could not finish my last bite of brownie and ice cream! I thanked them and headed off, disappointed that Truckin' was not in the group that had just come in. (I later found out that her parents had stopped by for a quick visit, so she felt that she did not need trail magic). It wasn't easy hiking with a full stomach, but I continued on my way, trying to catch up with Truckin'. I had not yet listened to my iPod on this trip, so I decided to give myself a little treat! It was a lot of fun! I reached Little Laurel Shelter and saw Truckin's pack! She was off getting water, so I waited for her and then we caught up on each other's mornings. She gave me a pack of peanut butter crackers from her mom (who was upset that had no homemade cookies for us since they had been traveling). (Thank you Mrs. Wise! I really enjoyed them!) Since I was still not hungry from my 3 course meal, I went ahead and told Truckin' I'd see her a little later. I put back on my iPod and half-danced my way up the trail. It was a cloudy, foggy day, so there were no views to be seen, but walking along the rocks of Blackstone Cliffs was still enjoyable. Although, at one point in the beginning of that section, my weight inexplicably began to fall down in an almost slow-motion manner to the point where I felt my hamstring about to pull! However, I just as suddenly popped back up and went on as if nothing had ever happened! This section of the trail reminded me a lot of the Whites, where the pace has to be slowed down due to the precarious nature of the rocks.   Later on, I passed Will and Way, and arrived at Jerry Cabin Shelter at 5:18 pm. I had planned on eating dinner there, wait for Truckin' and then continue on for another mile or so. I opened the tarp to the shelter to find Minnesota Smith inside, sitting at the table, preparing his dinner. I had already heard about him, and after asking me my name and responding, "Okaayyy...", I was even more resolved to move on! Will and Way came in and Minnesota Smith found a new audience to scare about the Northern sections of the trail, and lend his wordly knowledge to. There was no shortage of advice he was willing to dispense...(and please don't worry about him nursing a shoulder injury... he was merely warming up his water treatment tablet...) I went about my business collecting water and making my dinner. Truckin' came in and did the same, and then decided she wanted to stay there for the night. I eventually caved as well... It was damp, foggy, and cold, the next part of the trail would lead me to higher elevation, it would probably be warmer in the shelter, and by now there were enough people to diffuse the personality of Minnesota Smith. Rattler came in and took the spot next to me, followed by Vagrant, and soon we had a full shelter with many people tenting outside. Minnesota Smith continued to boil water and eat multiple dinners over the next two and a half hours! (??!)I wished for another bedtime story or arrival of the Easter bunny, but got neither.