Date: 2019-03-29
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Long Branch Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept long and well in the Franklin Comfort Inn. I was up around 6, taking my last shower for a while (at least for 4 or 5 days). I was all packed and ready to go when my shuttle driver, Mike Newton, picked me up just after 8.  It was chilly, in the mid 30s.We were at Winding Stair Gap around 8:30. I was excited, and forgot to pay Mike. I realized that after about 15 minutes of hiking (uphill of course). I didn¢t have any cell signal and couldn¢t reach him to later in the morning. He¢d realized that he hadn¢t been paid too.  I¢ll make him whole when he picks me up at the end of this trip. I headed south, mostly uphill.  There were a lot of northbound hikers in the morning.  They were leaving from Rock Gap Shelter or Long Branch Shelter.  There were so many that I¢ve forgotten most of their names.  At least 40 passed in groups, solo, and in pairs.   The first I remember was Totter.  Sort of a forboding name for a trail with lots of places to fall, but she said that was her real and her trail name.  She looked to be in her early 60s and she was solo.  She had been doing section hikes but this year she jumped in with both feet and was doing a thru hike.A trail name is a name, usually given by someone on the trail.  I¢m still using the trail name of Cowboy, from my last section hike.Another memorable fellow was ¢Chewy¢, yes the same as our new GSD.  He was in his 20s and had rejected the corporate world, he¢d been an insurance broker, and instead worked in the ¢outdoors¢.  I wasn¢t sure what he meant.  He¢d done a thru hike two years ago when he quit his insurance job.  He was south bound like me meeting up with some friends.  He was going farther than me today and he booked it on. Then there was Ellie.  She had blue hair and a blue coat.  I wanted to call her Blue.  Especially when 5 minutes later I came across a girl with pink hair.  Her trail name was, wait for it, ¢Pinky¢.  She, along with several others I saw, had nose piercings, between the nostrils.  I don¢t think it¢s an attractive look, and I blow my nose too much to do that!Then there was this mechanic from Delaware doing a thru hike.  He was resisting the trail names he¢d been given.  I noticed his hat said ¢Matco Tools¢, so I suggested Tools.  He got a thoughtful look, and maybe that one will stick.Then there were two young men, Canoe and Leaf Picker.  I didn¢t see him pick any leaves. They were also doing a thru hike.There were a number of day hikers as well, as there was access and parking at Rock Gap.  I had lunch there and had the place all to myself.  That was nice after seeing so many people in the morning.I¢m the afternoon I ran into a group from Scotland.  I couldn¢t catch much of what they said.  I asked one of them twice what his trail name was, and missed it.  I dubbed him Mumbly.I saw fewer people in the afternoon.  I arrived at Long Branch around 2, having done 7.2 miles.  It was early to stop but I wanted a slower start than last time.  I was alone while I set up my tent.  By 3:00, folks started arriving.  By 3:45 all the tent sites were taken and there¢s a lot of people here.  I had taken off my sweater around 10, as the day and I warmed up.  I put it back on around 3:30 as I was getting cold.  Not sure how cold it will get tonight, but I¢ll leave a cup of water out and see if it freezes.  Im prepared for cold weather so I should be able to stay warm.  We will see what I¢m saying tomorrow after tenting tonight.Steps: ~25,000Floors: 213