Date: 2003-05-08
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Okay, so I fell in love with the Trail again today...all it took was a gorgeous day, a lighter than usual pack (thanks to Miss Janet's suggestion) and 18 beautiful miles of trail. It all started yesterday...{flashback...remember, when we left our heroine, she was going to sleep, soundly, after having a good second half of her day} So at the VERY early hour of 4:30 a.m. yesterday, the heavens opened AGAIN, thunder boomed, lightning flashed (once simultaneously...my incredibly grown up reaction to this was: first instinct - scream...but I didn't do that. second instinct - throw my sleeping bag over my head...okay, this I did. I have no idea what purpose it served, but...whatever). The rain kicked up all the dirt and leaf debris around my tent and splattered it all over my tent. I made a privy trip, then went to the shelter to have some breakfast and contemplate the day's hike. I was feeling SO down...all I could think about was how my feet had turned to mush over the pa!st couple of days with all the rain. My brain felt as if it were on overload. I overheard Stonehenge saying that he was calling for ahuttle...calling for a shuttle?? He had a cell phone, there was a road crossing in 2.5 miles and he was calling for a shuttle...who was interested? I don't believe I've ever volunteered for something so quickly in my life. I packed my gear up quickly and RAN the 2.5 miles to the road. It only took me 45 minutes...I do believe it was my best time so far on the Trail. There were 5 of us: me, Stonehenge, No Pain, Hoops and Mothman. We got dropped off in downtown Erwin, and the first thing I saw was Erwin Burrito. They were just opening, so I went in and ordered a plate of nachos and a sirloin burrito and devoured everything. I got directions to Miss Janet's house, and headed over there. On the way, I saw IB...he told me he had done some mad miles, 34 in a 24 hour period, including hiking over Big Bald at night, in the fog and cold. He !was taking his first zero day since starting the Trail. I don't know if I'll ever be able to night hike...but I wouldn't want to hike in the fog. IB showed me where the laundromat was, so I went and cleaned my clothes...Miss Janet was not home. She picked me up on the way back...IB told her that I was doing my laundry. I found out from her that Nuts and Twigs were doing a 20 mile slack pack back to Erwin and staying with her! Argon had also done the slack pack, but was already back...was thinking of staying at the Super 8, as there was no room at Miss Janet's. We decided to split the room, and Miss Janet took us over there. On the way, she said that I could go with them to pick up Nuts and Twigs. Seeing them again was so awesome! Even better that it was an unexpected surprise that I was on the shuttle. They were going to hang out at Miss Janet's and have dinner with Baltimore Jack (who also did the slack pack), so I went to the motel, took a shower and then to Miss J's to catch up (oh, yeah, stopped at McDonald's for a filet-o-fish d!inner and an Oreo McFlurry). We had a good time talking about everyone we knew and where they were on the Trail and just hanging out. They were heading out Thursday from the gap where they had started their slack pack. I was taking Miss Janet's suggestion, packing just enough stuff for a night, and doing 18 miles Thursday and 6 into Erwin on Friday. We figured we'd catch up again at Trail Days in Damascus, so we said goodbyes, and I went to the motel. Dutch had checked in and was surprised to see me there, as he was at least a day ahead of me. We talked for awhile, and are going to try hiking on our own...we definitely differ in hiking styles. I'm sure I'll see him at Trail Days, or further up the Trail. I got a short night's sleep, and got picked up by Miss J's shuttle at 7:30. We began where we left off yesterday morning...what a difference hiking with a lighter pack! And in the sunshine! I'm not going to say that the miles flew by...there were still 18 of them.!..but they were so beautiful. There were amazing views from Big Bald,several waterfalls, old orchards (where Grandpa Bear and I took a long leisurely lunch) and green and flowers everywhere. I ran into Famous Shoes a few miles from the shelter and we spent a good bit of time talking about how taking one's time on the Trail is the best thing to do...you pay attention to all the little things that speed may cause you to miss. I'm not feeling badly about my decision to slow down a bit. Slept the night in the shelter, although not well...I'm still having sleeping bag issues!! Continued...