Date: 2014-04-30
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Mt Collins Shelter
Miles today: 19.8

When the AT enters the Smokies, it goes right up to the NC/TN border and travels along the border for the length of the park. Since the border is a ridge line of mountains, it's been pretty much up and down on somewhat rocky paths and muddy due to all the recent rain. I had to use my ear plugs last night due to the strong winds making a ruckus with the tarps that hang down in front of our shelter, and those strong winds continued today. I hiked above the clouds for most of the day, with occasional great views of the mountains behind me from whence I'd come. As the ups and downs got gradually higher, I could see the clouds enveloping the peaks ahead. Before I got to Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the AT at 6655 ft, I was in the clouds with on and off drizzle. Folks can drive up to Clingman's Dome where it has a cool observation tower, but I just took a picture of it and didn't go up. I wonder why I didn't see any tourists there today?Almost immediately after I arrived at Mt Collins Shelter, the rain poured down. The shelter was packed, but had a slot for me and Jake, who had caught up with me just before I arrived. I chatted with a couple of folks, including a ridge runner who was there to ensure everyone was doing OK.I turned in and slept with my ear plugs again, this time due to the loud rain on the roof. Despite, or perhaps due to, the rough hiking conditions, I enjoyed the day! Tunes in my head When I'm hiking by myself I subconsciously sound little tunes with my breath. I don't intentionally pick a tune, but will suddenly notice I'm "breathing" a tune. Most often it's just a 2 to 4 bar refrain in step with my steps, but sometimes it's a song that I dont know how it got into my brain at that time.Today I noticed three tunes during the day. The first was "Happy Trails to You" by Roy Rogers. I think someone had earlier wished me "Happy Trails." It reminded me of the time I met Roy Rogers back on July 4, 1982. Jerry Ross and I had just finished chasing the 4th Space Shuttle landing into Edwards AFB. After the landing, we gathered with a bunch of visitors to see President Reagan congratulate the crew. Roy was sitting near us, and one of our NASA photographer friends had us pose for a picture with Roy. After we got back to Houston, Jerry sent cooies to Roy and he signed them for us. Really good guy. Dale wasn't with him that day.The third tune was "This Land is Your Land." That popped into my head as I climbed higher and pine trees began to dominate the surrounding vegetation. I don't know where the second tune came from. It was "The Ballad of Astro 1" composed by my crewmates and myself on STS-35 and sung to the tune of "The House of the Rising Sun." The last week before launch the crew goes into quarantine in Houston. 3 or 4 days before launch we fly down in T-38's to the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. Our families also fly down and stay in Cocoa Beach while we're in quarantine at KSC. Our mission had many last minute delays causing us to go through this routine many times between our first launch attempt in May and finally blasting off in Dec. Even before that the mission had been delayed for several years. Here are all the words I can remember now. Special remberances to Mike Lounge and Ron Parise who are no longer with us. Mike was the chief author and the main guitar player. (He also taught me the chords to accompany him, although I always had trouble with the 6 string F chord!)This is the story of seven brave men And the mission called Astro 1 It's been the ruin of many astronomer Thank God, it's almost doneWe've been to the Cape at least five times We can't stand many more -------(I forget)The kids have fun down at the beach Eatin' pizza by the pool They're catching rays and riding waves But they're flunking out of school! The food is great in quarantine ------(something about gaining weight, I think)So astronomers, tell your children Not to do what we have done Don't spend your lives in pain and misery On the mission of Astro 1.