Date: 2006-05-11
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: light rain

Gee God, thanks for such a beautiful day - NOT! Why is it every time I'm ion a town, the sunshine, and every time I hike, it rains? Oh, that's right, rain fills the springs and makes the pretty wildflowers bloom. We hung out in the shelter this morning until 10:15. Had a nice chat with Adam and Chad waiting for the rain to stop. Had a break in the clouds and took off. Not long after - rain jackets and pack covers. Walked til about 12:00, sun's out - yeah! Quick snack break, rain jackets off, pack covers stowed. Keep walking. Wouldn't you know it, 30 minutes later, the wind whipped up, sky turned black, and and yep...rain. Jackets and pack covers on. Thirty more minutes, rain stopped. I took my rain jacket off, cause it's hot as Hades inside and kept walking, Duh, of course, that means more rain, right? Well, this time I said, screw it and just started moving as fast as I could. I left Diesel in my wake and blasted ahead. 45 degrees, 30 mph wind, torrential rain, what a wonderful afternoon. Got to Laruel Shelter and found Adam, Chad, Don, Aragon, and Ben all huddles up and out of the rain. No sooner had Janneha showed up, the sky cleared and sun came out. At least I'm writing this from a damp picnic, thermarest for a cushion, and feeling the sun, listening to the birds sing (and drinking hot orange spiced tea!) Wonderful indeed for real this time! I had a bizarre dream last night. I dreamt I was all alone in a shelter, actually I believe I was half my size, not my 6 foot and currently 172 pounds, down from 188 at the start, but I digress. I looked out the shelter and saw some bears heading towards me. I was so panicked, that try as I might, not a sound would come from my throat. Freaked me out. Following the bears were some Indian warriors on horseback with the rest of their tribe just behind. Then I woke up, weird. I'm having all sorts of vivid dreams, but not all of them stick to my conscious as this one did. Family - new subject. There truly is a hiker family out here. We all pitch in to help each other, without expectations or strings. It's nice to be part of such an altruistic experience. It confirms my belief in karma and humankind. I believe the world we live in would be a far superior place if everyone practiced thru hiker ethics. Don't get me wrong, there's a few assholes out here, but far fewer as a percentage compared to the general population. The challenge will be to keep this feeling of caring and community with me (us) when we return to "normal" life. Final note - I've been carrying all sorts of thoughts and songs and feelings in my head. Today I leave you with the words of yet another unrecognized musical genius, Mark Oliver Everett...aha, A man called E, or Eels. Perhaps if I write this one down, I can get it out of my head for a while. This one's for you, CT.She had the eyes of someone olderI had the eyes that wander round.I couldn't see what really mattered. Caught hell from my boss, don't care about my job.Caught cold from the rain, don't care if I'm cold. Played every records that I own today,But the only think I cared about got away.She was a walking work of art.I am a broken wind up toy.I couldn't see what really mattered. Got a flat on the road, don't care about my car,Lost twenty-six bucks, don't care about the rent.Watched every episode on TV todayBut the only thing I care about got away.She has a brilliant future,I have a past.I've got my memories, but they're fading fast.