Date: 2003-09-04
From: Campsite on the trail.

To: Hwy 302
Miles today: 6.7

start campsiteDestintion Hwy 302Well, our romantic campsite came complete with a serious thunder and lightning storm. All night long we listened to the rain hit the tent. And all night long we moved around to try and stay dry. It seemed I pitched the tent in the most level spot, which also was a low spot. We had a river running under us all through the night. And since I did not stake the tent sides low, the heavy rain splashed in and onto the floor of the tent. The thunder was awesome. You would see a lightning bolt, then hear the thunder as it echoed down the river. I love storms anyway, but I usually like to be dry during them. Several times during the night I woke up worried about the small stream we ere camped next to, but not to fear it never reached us. But by morning it had swollen from a babbling brook to a raging torrent. We stayed in the tent until the rain let up. Then I fixed breakfast and hot drinks and we at hunched under the trees with rain drops falling on us from the trees above. The climb for the day was a mere 250 ft straight up climb. It was made more difficult by the wet slippery rocks. The going was slow, but we made the climb without incident. Back on the AT the trail was suprising level for a couple of miles. Closer examination of the profile map showed we had actually skipped the smoothest section of the trail through here. We managed to make pretty good time and found ourselves at the road earlier than expected. My prediction to Papermaker of Mudbutt's activity for the day proved right. Do I know my hiking partner or what? She was sitting at the road where the trail traverses it, handing out lots of fresh fruit, cold drinks and snacks to the hikers as they came by. She was certainly enjoying herself! I had had a bad feeling about leaving my car at the trail head, and it proved to be right. Someone had thrown a large rock through the driver's window and ransaked the car. They stole a large bag containing Mudbutt's favorite sleeping bag among other things of hers. Papermaker's computor in the trunk, along with other valuables was untouched. They also left all the change that was in the ash tray. Maybe they were just cold. I have insurance, but of course it will cost me a hundred dollar dedutible, plus the stolen items come under homeowners insurance, there is another deductible. Add in the whole day Mudbutt spent contacting the sheriff, then finding a Toyota dealer, the whole day we will spend waiting in the lobby while repairs are done, this senseless act cost all of us plenty. Not to mention the hassel of trying to vacumn up thousands of glass fragments. I would like to jerk a knot in whoever is responsible for this, but since I can't I will just continue to pray for them. That will be better for all of us. We got a room for the night, complete with a in room jacuzzi. It was heavenly to soak in a hot tub of water, complete with my favorite bath oil, Burt's Bees.W e treated ourselves to a lobster dinner which proved to be less than satisfactory. On the way back to the room, we stopped for an ice cream to take back with us. So I am sitting in the hot tub, anticipating my Ben and Jerry's bar. A milk chocolate covered, vanilla bar with Heath toffee chips. Imagine my suprise when I found a plain vanilla bar in the box. It just kept getting worse, so I gave up and went to sleep. I am already missing the trail. total miles 6.7