Date: 2007-09-03
From: Bromley Mtn Warming Hut, Vt

To: Big Branch Shelter, VT
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

I woke up sore as heck and it was my upper body work out day; so I did a few curls, push ups, and sit ups. As I was getting ready to go; a young father and son walked by. The dad had the yearling in a baby carrier backpack. The dad sat down and the little boy pushed his nose up against the window and I got a picture. The dad and I talked a bit and lifted my spirits. After he left; I remembered when my dad took me down to The Parthenon in Nashville when I was 2 or 3. I have a good memory. There was a big gathering of folks at an outdoor concert. I have researched it some and I think it was one of The Grateful Dead's only appearances in Nashville and their only one at The Parthenon. Good story and great memory anyway. I always tell parents that these types of outing stick with children through there lives. A childs personality is basically set by the age of 5 or 6. As I always say, "You want to know how to raise your kids: just ask someone like me, that does not have any. We can tell you how to do it." That's another joke folks. Anyway, I got going as I went through another group of college kids and tried to think about something other than those girls running all around that mountain top, scantily clad! I hiked so hard over Styles Peak and Peru Peak; that I do not remember anything; but, hiking through a bunch of Christmas trees. Now the next 6 miles or so went down by a several lakes and ponds with alot of weekend warriors and college kids. As I went up near The Griffth Lake; I had a weird experience. As I walked up to a bulletin board. I heard a female in the distance say, "Hello". I look over through the trees and there was an early 20ish blonde haired women in front of her tent on a tent platform; just squatting, she was clothed, thank goodness! I said, "what's happening?" She said, "Just Hangin'" as she continued to squat. I had alot go through my mind here; but, I just stared at her as I walked away and her back at me. I wanted to get a picture; but, all that I could think was "walk Terry, walk"; not "Zero"; but, Terry. So, uncharacteristically: I walked, thinking about the Ozzie Osbourne song, "Im going through changes(Blizzard of Oz). I know this does not seem like much to ya'll; but, there was some serious subliminal stuff going on there. Well anyway, it was an easy hike along these ponds and then down to The Big Branch Shelter. I was going to go on; but, the shelter was empty and for me that means a good nights sleep and I could hear Big Branch rushing 20 yards away. It was dark anyway. Now, in the shelter register there was a "big stink" about our old friend "Snackbreak" and some guy named "Rebel". With a "Rebel Yell". You remember her, she was the Nobo that was taking her clothes off left and right. Well, the other day, I met a Sobo named "Farsang". He had followed my journal before he left and said that at Tom's in Dalton, Mass. He was just sitting there and was going, "Uh, oh, here it comes and she disrobes right in front of him". He said that he knew it was coming from reading my journals. Well anyway, I really do like her; she is so free of spirit. I know it is not good to gossip and "I dont go around repeating gossip; so, you better listen closely the first time(Hee Haw TV show)".